Tom Gage lists 10 predictions for the upcoming season (warning: every Tiger is apparently going to have the best season EVAAAR); Joel Zumaya announced his retirement this past weekend and we all collectively sobbed a little; and the Houston Astros become the butt of a hilarious Sochi Olympics joke.
You guys, pitchers and catchers report in ... wait for it ... THREEEEEEEEE days! I don't know about you, but I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Tigers links:
Ten predictions for the Detroit Tigers' upcoming season
The Detroit News, Tom Gage
And I predict that not all of this comes true. Bold statement, I know.
Report: Former Detroit Tigers reliever Joel Zumaya to retire; last pitched in majors in 2010
MLive.com, Josh Slagter
By now, you've all heard this news. Still sad. Thanks for the fun times, Zoom Zoom.
Brad Ausmus excited to begin as Tigers manager
The Boston Globe, Nick Cafardo
It was only a matter of time before Ausmus, a former Padres, Tigers, Astros, and Dodgers catcher, and a native of Cheshire, Conn., got his shot.
Leyland to work with MLB on replay system
Beck's Blog, Jason Beck
"Jim Leyland's retirement means we won't have the sight of him challenging a bad a call from the dugout." Or arguing about a call, which is truly disappointing.
Ranking the teams: 6 through 1
SweetSpot Blog, David Schoenfield
How they can get to 90 wins: Maybe the question should be how they can get to 100 wins.
Tigers Pitchers Got Lots of Easy Outs in 2013
Tiger Tales, Lee Panas
I'm sorry, but I couldn't make it past that truly terrifying picture of Max.
Analyst: Detroit Tigers made best managerial hire of off-season with Brad Ausmus
Detroit Free Press, Brian Manzullo
But, like, he hasn't managed any games yet. So ... potentially the best hire?
Showtime for the 2014 Detroit Tigers House of Cards
Motor City Bengals, Josie Parnell
"Say what you will about the Detroit Tigers off-season, but don’t call it boring." Who called it boring? Did someone call it boring? Show yourself, evildoer.
Elsewhere in baseball:
The Escalating Trend of Paying for Prime Years
FanGraphs Baseball, Dave Cameron
There’s no question that teams are throwing more and more money at players who haven’t reached free agency.
How General Managers Foresee a World Series in 2014
NYTimes.com, Tyler Kepner
Imagining how each of baseball’s general managers might sum up a championship run after the 2014 season.
Houston Astros target of painfully accurate Olympic rings joke
Big League Stew, Mark Townsend
This might be my favorite thing ever. Sorry, Astros fans.
Tigers tweets:
I concur, Max. I concur.
This is the type of intro we need when we take the field.... pic.twitter.com/VqQazNgxAv
— Max Scherzer (@Max_Scherzer) February 9, 2014Well this is adorable.
Daddy daughter date night @chickfilahttp://t.co/ByNs8xzc6O
— Darin Downs (@DDowns99) February 7, 2014Posting this against my better judgement.
"@KateUpton: Thanks @STUFF_mascot for the proposal tonight! Great game!" I was gone for 5 seconds!! pic.twitter.com/Xk6Z4Etn7b
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) February 8, 2014