Haven't paid much attention to blogland of late. Been kinda bored in general with the whole thing. But with the trade deadline approaching I thought I'd share some thoughts on the future.

The Tigers will stand pat on the trade front. There is no pressing need that hasn't been filled from within the system. But that will also depend on how they perform here in the next week. If they get swept by KC (again) then I feel DD will most likely start looking to unload some money burners.

If you read the Detroit Free Press ( like I do) the first name mentioned is trade talks is Pudge. Yes he's had his ups and downs as a Tiger. But name me ONE catcher that will be a free agent at the end of the season that has anywhere near the credentials of Pudge or the basic skills to become as seasoned a player as Pudge is. I personally can't think of any. Pudge's contract is up at the end of the season, and you know damn well there will be teams looking seriously at him.

Miguel Cabrera: Not going anywhere till 2015. He's been called a bust so far by a lot of the Detroit press. I am willing to give him the benefit of a doubt. He's been playing with a bum leg most of the year. What I'd like to see happen in the off season is the Detroit staff take and have his but in the training/weight room all damn winter. get his butt into better shape, shed a few more pounds, get him REAL comfortable and educated about playing 1st base, and he'll be back to his all-star form next year.

Edgar Renteria: Another bust by the Freep standards. I don't know. He had only one year in the AL on a team that is a hell of a lot tougher to crack then the Tigers. I agree with some of the other bloggers in that maybe he's not in as good a physical shape as he needs to be. Having a twanged hamstring right now doesn't help. I seriously think Leyland needs him to sit and play Santiago for about a week. Let his leg heal and maybe hit the gym for a bit. I think a 15 day trip to the DL and young Mr. Holloman get a little more time at the bigs would work too.

Dontrelle WIllis: Nuff said. IF he regains his mechanics, then fine. If not... Lot of money wasted.

Sheff: If he doesn't kick it up a notch soon, more money wasted.

Kenny Rogers: One more year please. If for no other reason than to become a second pitching coach behind Chuck Hernandez. The guy can teach the younger guys so damn much. Like he has already. If a miracle happens and the Tigers win it all.. He'll retire happy. 

Todd Jones:  Same here. A WS win and he walks into the sunset to become a color analyst for some lucky network.

Inge: If Pudge walks, He'll return full time behind the plate with Sarhdina as his backup.

Maggs: They need to pick up any options he has and work out a new long term deal.

Carlos Guillen: Ditto.

The rest of the outfield: Grandy is set for 5 years. In left, Clete Thomas is the starter next year with Thames in the DH role. Joyce is another good choice though he is more a Rightfielder than a lefty. Good back up though.

The infield: Biggest question will be shortstop. Do they move Guillen back, bring up Holloman, another Free agent, give Renteria another chance, Give Santiago a chance.. you could go nuts on that position alone. Like I said earlier, First is set with Cabby. He is such a prototypical first baseman as was Frank Howard, Boog Powell and Norm Cash. ( I'm dating myself with those names) But I seriously think that with a little more coaching and cosistency, the debate will become who is the better all around 1st baseman.. Cabby or Pujols. Polanco is set at second for as long as his health holds.

The rest of the Pitching staff: Who will be gone after this year: Rodney, and Fossum most likely. Whos on the bubble: Seay, Miner, Aquilino Lopez, Nate Robertson. ( is it me or is his arm as dead as it was when he went on the DL last year?) Wonder if he doesn't have that same Thoracic compression syndrome that took out Bondo..If he has a good winter, Zoomer will be the closer next year.

Thats my take for now.. I don't know if I'll keep this up much longer.. we'll see. Now excuse me, but I am going to go read Alyssa Milano's blog. Could MLB ever have a better looking spokesperson?

As usual the big market teams dominated the voting. Forget the stats, how the players are actually doing in reference to their historical performances.. The names still carry the weight. Forget that their teams are not even in first place, and the first place teams hardly have any starters. Where does that leave us? As usual, with a stuffed team of the Red Sox and Yankees when there are players whom are doing far better statistically sitting home watching.

This part of why I am personally stuffing the ballot box on the last player vote for Evan Longoria. The Rays are most definitely under represented here this year. I won't say the Tigers are under represented, but I definitely feel Grandy and Polanco should have been selected as well. Where would the Tigers be right now without them? The answer is as plain as the Tigers record. Look how they played in the first month of the season. Thats all the answer you need. I just hope that the MLB powers that be selecting the HR derby teams pick Marcus Thames. Hoo boy what a show he could put on!