Travis

Torii Hunter will sign a two-year deal with the Detroit Tigers, per Ken Rosenthal (via Twitter). Perfect addition for all the reasons I've already stated. Now Dombrowski can focus his attention elsewhere. Bullpen help, back up catcher, and maybe pitching. I like Laird a lot but understand the idea that he may go elsewhere for more money or playing time. Sanchez should be pursued aggressively in my opinion, but I can't imagine they'll give him what someone else will, and they shouldn't. Bullpen help is a necessity, in my opinion. Maybe even sign someone like Madson as an insurance policy if Rondon doesn't work out. Make sure that whoever you sign understands they may be in a set up role.

And so the Hot Stove is upon us. The Toronto Blue Jays receive: Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, Josh Johnson and catcher John Buck. The Miami Marlins receive: SS Yunel Escobar, SS Adeiny Hechavarria, SP Henderson Alvarez, minor-leaguers SP Justin Nicolino and CF Jacob Marisnick So much for Miami's rebuilding plan. You've got to consider the Blue Jays immediate contenders in the East. At this point I'd list them as the second best team in the division, behind New York.

Danny Knobler of CBS reporting that Hunter, "wants to play [in Detroit]". I would love this. Have been coveting him since it was reported that Anaheim might not re-sign him. He would be a perfect fit in the Tigers' outfield, a near-ideal 2 hole bat, and has long been regarded as a great clubhouse leader. In my opinion he would be the ultimate free agent signing for the Tigers to fill their OF need based on cost and need.

Yeah, unfortunately, I agree that Sanchez will cost too much. I read $90 million over 6 years. While I like him a lot, it's so much to pay out for a 3rd-4th starter. I'm hoping for a corner OF, a bullpen arm, and to re-sign Gerald Laird as the back-up (if the Tigers can't realistically get Annibal back). At this point, I'm excited for any and all Hot Stove action. Let's see some changes of scenery!

Went to today's matinee. He looked great. Goals were on a point rebound and a total fluke deflection.

Got my email, but I have no intention of maintaining the tickets whatsoever.

July 13, 2013 @ 2:30 - and I won't care.

I was surprised to see reports that he might retire. What's the general consensus about Soriano opting out of his contract? He doesn't seem like the greatest clubhouse guy from what little I've heard of him.

Agreed on all points. The Tigers are in a great position and shoring up a couple small pieces to give them a more complete team will be incredible. I'm getting very excited for the Hot Stove. I'm anxiously awaiting some signings throughout all of baseball. Here's hoping we hear about Annibal re-signing with the team soon.

The Tigers announce today the return of Jim Leyland, Jhonny Peralta, and Octavio Dotel. In a press conference following the announcements Dave Dombrowski announced that the club will not re-sign Delmon Young or Jose Valverde and Don Kelly will be removed from the roster. Dombrowski declined to discuss the future of Ryan Raburn, saying that he had yet to talk to him. Dombrowski also said that the club may not get a closer from the free agent market, but instead elect to fill the role from within. He mentioned the strength of some of their bullpen arms, specifically Bruce Rondon. Personally, I'm okay with this idea. Rondon throws fire and ascended through the minor league ranks very quickly this year. If he has what everyone says he does, then he seems like the perfect man for the job. Plus, I'm not wild on spending $10 million dollars on a closer.

If/when the game is cancelled I will expect a full refund for my entire purchase, GLI included, and I do not plan on spending another dime on the Winter Classic.

Couldn't have said it any better myself, GoWings. If you had told me this team would make the playoffs a month ago I wouldn't have believed you - so I can't be too upset with dropping the World Series. It would have been nice to put up a fight, though. It seems the layoff slump is a real thing and it certainly hurt the Tigers. They were thoroughly outplayed by a Giants team that was simply on fire and never got "that hit" or "that play" to turn this thing around. Poetic and cruel that Cabrera watched the 3rd strike. Really summed up the Tigers' offense for the Series. You have to feel good about the Tigers' chances going forward, but it is so tough to get to the World Series that nothing is guaranteed. I was really hoping to see them win it for Mr. Illitch, but here's hoping he gets another chance to see his team win it all. Having said all that, I've got to say thank you to the Tigers for what really was a great, albeit frustrating, season. Can't wait to do it again next year. I'm very excited for the off-season, I love the Hot Stove time of year. Looking ahead just a little bit I say these things should/will happen: Delmon Young is gone. The Tigers find a strong corner OF. Quintin Berry becomes a bench player, Don Kelly is gone. Jose Valverde is gone. A new closer is promoted in-house. Peralta's option is picked up.

Tough games in San Francisco, without a doubt. I was really hoping they would earn a split behind Fister, who more than gave them a chance (unlike JV). Like GoWings said, though, the offense failed again. I think a return to Detroit will do wonders for this offense. It's nice that Dirks and Berry will get into the line-up, too. A win tonight and maybe they can jump on a struggling Cain tomorrow giving JV a chance to redeem himself on Monday.

I'd actually heard that Girardi was the only member of the team to attend the funeral. Is that not correct? Of course, it's a terrible loss and you feel for Girardi - this Yankees team is beaten down. Their biggest bats have come up empty all postseason so far and they're facing the best staff left in the postseason. Not to mention, coming back in Game 1 only to lose the game and their captain was both insult and injury. That said, I would never consider them 'out' until the 27th out of the Tigers' 4th win of the series. He's a free agent after this year. While I have been ultimately fine with his performance this year (85% or whatever is actually league average for saves), it just seems like he's lost the arm speed he needs to throw his pitches - most especially his sinker - effectively. I can't imagine he'll be back. I have no idea who will replace him, but I can't see him as the Tigers' closer next year. This is a really exciting time guys. Not to count my chickens, but even to be on the verge of a potential World Series birth is amazing. Last time the Tigers were in this position I was on a sports 'sabbatical' if you will. I had just moved away from home for the first time and simply wasn't interested in sports at that point, but this is really something. Even my wife has started to come around and has been pretty damn enthralled throughout the postseason. Go Tigers!

I really should've posted this yesterday, but I had never been more confident about a game than I was heading into last night's. Greatest pitcher on earth and a team with a chip on their shoulder facing a team who was simply not prepared to deal with JV. That said, who is? He's a special talent that we as sports fans are blessed to see. I'm glad they were able to take the wind out of the A's sails last night and avoid any drama or childish behavior. I'm happy for the A's and they were a great story, but there has never been a team to complain more about professional behavior while repeatedly failing to show any of their own. I had a lot of respect for Josh Reddick before the series, but it's apparent that he only respects his teammates and has a lot to learn about sportsmanship. I hope he and Johnny Gomes learn some tact in the offseason. I have a cousin in Oakland and now how much some of their fan base loves their team, but damn are there a lot of band wagoners - proven by their booing of everything that doesn't benefit the A's - so it's nice that we won't have to hear about how amazing their [brand new] fans are. But I digress, great series win on the back of our horse. I will now root like hell for the Orioles, because the Yankees are always terrifying. That said, you never want to "want" your opponent in the postseason, because it often comes back to haunt you.

Hoping for a big game from Scherzer tonight. If he can give the Tigers what we all know he's capable of, they should be in a good spot. Obviously, need to get the bats working; but you had to see a big game coming from the Athletics last night. It's hard to eliminate a team, of course, plus it was their first home game of the playoffs. Let's go Tigs!

Yeah, I doubt I'd be crazy about 'The Kiss' if the tables were turned, but it really isn't that big of a deal. Al-Al said he got caught up in the moment, which I think you'd assume. Even the announcers on MLB Network were laughing about it. If anyone really thought he was trying to show off, he'd be getting lambasted right now. Great win, great job by Don Kelly - the Wizard! Really happy to be going to Oakland up 2 games to none. Could prove extremely valuable. The Coliseum is a tough place to play.

This game is shaking me to my core.

I agree with GoWings, I feel really good about our chances this year. Last year being in the playoffs felt like a gift, but I think this team is built to go deep. Power arms, power bats - and if Avila can heat up that would help us tremendously. As little as I enjoy Elmon Young, I appreciate the clutch hitting he showed last year and am hoping to see some of the same out of him this postseason, but we'll see. Great win last night, it's really important for the Tigers to take both of these games at home. Starting at home is a gift for a team without home field advantage, so it's paramount that they make the most out of it - especially because the Coliseum is going to be nuts. It was really nice to see them grind out a tough win, too, because that's what they're going to have to do night after night to go far in the playoffs. (duh)

MLB Public Relations just tweeted this photo, to appear in the Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, USA Today, and the Latino Press on Friday.

So I've been absent on the boards most of the Summer. Lack of fun Wings / hockey news and a terribly frustrating baseball club didn't leave me with much to talk about. But wow, the last month of the season the Tigers have played their best baseball of the entire year, really. Reversing the curse of 2009 and clinching the Central in convincing fashion. I am absolutely ready for the Oakland A's on Saturday. You can't even begin to describe how incredible Miguel Cabrera has been. What an incredible season from Cabby. Typically it's an hour early, but I think it may be an hour and a half during the playoffs. Congrats on getting to the game! If you have extra time I absolutely recommend stopping by Harwell Park, formerly known as Tiger Stadium. I went to the 8-0 drubbing of the Twins a couple of Saturdays ago and went to the Corner beforehand. It's not actually locked and it's an incredible experience to walk where so many legendary players have stood.

They wouldn't be the first Davison residents to claim they're from Flint - that's for sure. I'm originally from Bay City. I don't think we've got any claims to fame in the hockey world.

Yzerman's Double OT goal may be my favorite memory. It was the first year that I actively paid attention to hockey and my dad let me stay up for the entire game because it was my birthday by the time the game finally ended. I remember fighting of sleep before finally erupting when Stevie Y buried it.

Isn't that offer for AHL Winter Classic tickets?

Similar thing happened to me. Shipping info listed my old address. I changed it in my account settings and called and it had already changed on their end, so you shouldn't have any issues.