Travis

Nyquist is back in Grand Rapids.

So Free Agency officially starts at 12:01 am. My wishlist includes Aramis Ramirez (3B), Michael Cuddyer (2B), and Heath Bell (yeah right). I would be happy to see the Tigers pick up Javier Lopez (RP), and Ryan Doumit ©. I think Pudge's return could be a very real possibility, which would be awesome. A back-up role for the guy who led the Tigers' turn around would be incredible.

The Cubs have announced that Mike Quade will not return for the 2012 season. Here comes Ryne Sandberg! (probably)

New this year: You can only have two in your presence at a time. Which takes the fun out of stocking up. Apparently they'll get dumped if security spots you. Regardless, they still make for a good time.

A post at Bless You Boys discussed the idea of picking up Jose Reyes, moving Jhonny to 2B and then trading Jackson (and prospects) to San Diego for Headley, then signing an aging CF like Coco Crisp. I'd honestly rather not get rid of Jackson because he is an absolute stud on defense. He's just being put into a position in the batting order that he shouldn't be. Headley would be a great acquisition, especially since he is better defensively than Ramirez and Castellanos might make a better corner outfielder. It'd be tough to part with whatever we'd need to in order to get him, though.

Not a bad call here. Even as I read your first sentence I was still in the 'Oh, hell no' camp - but if we could somehow get him for low-risk/high-reward then I would be interested. Available 2B according to MLB Trade Rumors: Clint Barmes Orlando Cabrera Robinson Cano (*) Jamey Carroll Alex Cora Craig Counsell Michael Cuddyer Mark Ellis Carlos Guillen Bill Hall Willie Harris Aaron Hill Kelly Johnson Adam Kennedy Jose Lopez Felipe Lopez John McDonald Aaron Miles Brandon Phillips Nick Punto Ramon Santiago Drew Sutton Omar Vizquel Jack Wilson * team option In a perfect world, we take a run at Robbie Cano - but that's never happening. Jack Wilson is a strong fielder with little offensive upside, but could be a solid addition in a platoon with Ramon at the bottom of the order. Bill Hall is a million years old, but really fast - probably the speediest of the bunch. Cuddyer would be a welcome addition, but would cost us a first round draft pick. Basically, a really wordy way of saying the 2B free agent class is less than stellar. I can't say I'm really excited at the idea of any of these guys. Especially because I'd love to see the Tigers add a speedster. I am, however, totally on board the Aramis Ramirez train.

I've only been to 1 game so far this year, but you knew when he was on the ice. He was seemingly never out of position and played intelligently.

Yeah, the 2B slot leaves a lot to be desired. Too bad we couldn't have had the money available for Uggla last off-season. Kelly Johnson seems to be the best bet. Not a terrific second baseman, but has a strong bat. I'd really like to add speed at the position, but I don't think that's going to happen. The agent for Aramis Ramirez has stated that he will not be returning to the Cubs. I smell a starting 3rd baseman.

Great deal for Kronner and the Wings. Obviously, I'm excited about this.

Dammit! The one time I pass up a game.

Gotta think he gets to see ice time tomorrow as well as Brunnstrom or Emmerton.

To the surprise of no one, the Tigers exercise their club option on Papa Grande for 2012 at $9mil. Pricey, but I'm totally okay with it.

Dude is fashionable. That's about the only nice thing I can say.

While I agree that it sucks to see the Bluejackets first win of the year coming against our Wings, it's important to keep things in perspective. CBJ fans are hardly going to be running around celebrating merely beating the Wings when their first win should have come games ago.

Neal is just hot right now. Granted, he's a good player; but it was a pretty even trade.

Excited that things are finally going to start to pick up. Heading home and going out with some friends, so I won't see tonight's game. Here's hoping for drubbing of Columbus. Would really like to see Brunnstrom get into a game, though. Maybe Babcock's just waiting to play him tomorrow night so I can see him in action.

Munch would have known better.

I actually like them both quite a bit, as far as faux throwback jerseys go.

I think you're making way too much out of it. If you really wanted to argue about it, couldn't you say he was simply implying it would be a good game/series regardless of team you're rooting for?

He hit 5 home runs on 5 swings in BP. I don't know that it was a real cocky thing to say. My favorite thing about this team was how much fun they were visibly, obviously having down the stretch. They played with a ton of swagger and confidence and I loved every second of it.

Yes on all accounts. The outfield is set with Jackson, Young, and Boesch. We have substantial needs at 2B and 3B - especially 2nd - that should be met in the off-season. Ideally, I'd like to see the Tigers acquire someone with some speed and a high OBP. Drop Jackson to the 9 spot so he can turn the order over with his speed and his strike outs don't hurt so much. 3rd is tricky. I doubt Betemit stays since he rode the pine throughout the post season. Aramis Ramirez (33) will be available from Chicago, he could be a good 2-year stop gap of a power hitting third baseman until Nick Castellanos is ready. Too bad Carlito handcuffed us last off-season. How awesome would Dan Uggla be up the middle? Kelly Johnson is available and, while he wouldn't provide speed, he's got a good bat. Brandon Phillips could potentially be available if Cincinnati doesn't want to pick up his option, but I'd hate for him to ruin the clubhouse dynamic. The Tigers have a strong 'core' and, outside of 2nd, 3rd, and a bullpen arm - should be set to take the Central again next year.

Never liked Mike Brown, don't like Tom Kostopoulos. I wish they could've knocked each other out.

A crappy way to go out, for sure. Despite that, though, this team was a great time. Like GoWings said, it was a close series that could have easily been 3-2 Tigers headed back to Texas. I'm not ashamed to say that the Tigers lost to the best team in the American League and I'm proud of them for getting where they did. Let the off-season begin. Illitch is talking about big free agent signings and the Tigers have some obvious holes to fill, but are still in a really good spot to do it all again next year.

Baseball players get to pick their walk-up music.

The Griffins looked great tonight. Dare to say better than they looked all of last year. Much faster, generating much more opportunities, and especially against a team that played them really hard last season. The Griffins handled the Marlies pretty thoroughly tonight with the exception of portions of the 1st and after they pulled their goalie in the 3rd, but it never felt like the Marlies were actually in it.