Tiger Talk

We hold these truths to be self evident.....

I would bet that there has already been a "feeling out" process between the organization and Verlander's camp.

I'd be shocked if there hadn't been some discussions, and there will be more.

With Verlander being silently and patiently worked on, there are issues to address. #1 Rodney and Lyon, #2 Polanco, #3 looking for a SP, #4 finding a bat that can fit in Leyland's flex plan, and at a reasonable cost. In my mind that's the off season agenda.

Obviously, there are things that HAVE to be done this winter, and things that CAN wait, but they all will be addressed with some sense of urgency.

Could be Rodney and/ or Lyon. Say Rodney inks a two year deal, it's possible that they let Lyon walk, or vise verse. That'd be wrong, if they can get any one or both on a one year deal, or even arby, they should do it, IMO. The pen needs to get better, not even worse.

They may be "looking internally" with respect to Polanco and/ or the "bat". Your long coveted "lefty bat" might be Cletus, and your protection for Miggy might be Granderson, with Raburn moving in. Then see if more help is needed down the road.

Polanco is a no brainer

True. If they let him go for nothing, DD has no brain.

If I was GM - I would consider trading Verlander right now - just as I would consider extending him - and I would consider taking it yr to yr. It's time for the team to be weighing those options. And while an extention or trade might not get much run this off-season and neither might happen - you don't think by the trade deadline next yr - it's going to be an issue that comes up - especially if the Tigers are having a tough yr

I think that's right on the money, CD. If the Tigs are falling out of contention, and it looks like JV doesn't want to extend, his "sell by" date moves up to July 31. He'd still have a year and a half left before D Day, giving his new club two pennant races, two potential post seasons. I don't think selling becomes urgent, but it moves front and center if those are the circumstances.

I don't think the 2b-SS decisions are really that big.

If we can assume that Laird and Inge are both in the every day lineup, and we can, I think we need MORE production from the middle IF spots. That position can be plus or minus 3 to 5 wins, and defense trumps in that dept. Inge burned us last year, big time, IMO. DD doesn't have to make the move that fills a spot for years to come, but picking up a Scutaro, or a Hardy, would make the decision at 2B more flexible. Marco gives us everything that Polly does, and more, in a more vital position. We have a shot at replacing Polly- although I don't love the odds or the risk, but no shot internally at upgrading SS, and it's a dire situation as is with the two other fixed holes in the lineup.

DD usually has a surprise in store for us every winter, and it usually has a pleasant scent to it. Getting Cabrera, Jackson, Magglio, Pudge, et al weren't necessarily on the radar when the snow began to fall. He also tends to move quickly with a few moves, rather than wait around while other clubs snap up a couple of the guys that he'd like to have. Could be there's a done deal already in the works, waiting to be announced. I'd like to see Hardy, for lack of a better option at SS. There are definitely a couple of roster cuts coming, of a minor variety. Marcus, Rapada, Hollimon, Treanor, Willis, and Kelly shouldn't sell their Samsonite just yet.