Detroit Tigers

Losses: OF Curtis Granderson, IF Placido Polanco, P Edwin Jackson, OF Marcus Thames, OF Josh Anderson, 1B Aubrey Huff, C Matt Treanor, P Jarrod Washburn, P Fernando Rodney

Gains: OF Austin Jackson, OF Johnny Damon, P Max Scherzer, P Phil Coke, P Daniel Schlereth, Jose Valverde

Analysis: The Tigers definitely lost some talent this off-season. They are banking on a couple of things. #1 Austin Jackson is ready to perform at a high level in the Major Leagues right now. #2 Max Scherzer outperforms Edwin Jackson. They do bring in Phil Coke in the Granderson deal as well, which is a great pick up. Coke had a real solid season getting lefties out for the Yankees last year. They lose Marcus Thames for Johnny Damon an unofficial trade with the Yankees. Damon is certainly a better offensive player, but will lose 1/3 of his homeruns to the larger park, and can't contribute at all in the vast outfield. Daniel Schlereth came over with Scherzer in the Jackson deal. The Tiger certainly will not have trouble will left-handed hitters in the late innings. They also bring in Jose Valverde to close in Fernando Rodney's stead, which is a solid improvement (though Rodney excelled in save situations). They lose a few rentals in Anderson, Huff and Washburn, and there you have your 2010 Detroit Tigers. Overall, I don't think they end up the kind of team that they want to be quite yet. The Outfield ends up significantly downgraded and the bullpen additions don't make it worth it.

More moves: Maybe. They should look for a fourth outfielder that can play some defense. Perhaps they can be in the market if the Mets want to trade Gary Matthews Jr, maybe take a flier on Rocco Baldelli. I also wouldn't be surprised if they took a look at Khalil Green when he is healthy, maybe shift Adam Everett to Second Base if Scott Sizemore doesn't cut it.

2010 Thoughts: The rotation is full of question marks. Behind Justin Verlander, the Tigers hope that Rick Porcello doesn't hit any kind of sophomore slump. They bring back Jeremy Bonderman, and dream of him returning to form. And they have Nate Robertson bringing it up the rear, another chance to be a major league starter. I expect Porcello to pitch well, not incredibly, and Max Scherzer will have his days, but there's too much hope and not enough guarantee. They do also have Armando Galarraga on the back burner. The bullpen is good if Zumaya can play a whole season (THE-A-TRAIN wouldn't count on it). I mentioned the lefties. They can be solid. They should probably look to put another right hander in the pen, instead of Fu-Te Ni, but it should be alright. The line-up is good enough to win a division if it has pitching. So when Verlander starts, the Tigers have a solid line up. When anyone else starts, we'll just have to see. If Magglio Ordonez can get back to his being productive, maybe they'll have some more room for error.

Prediction: They may end up down in 3rd in the AL Central (could depend on the Minnesota closer situation.

-APT