Dontrelle Willis News

Marlins ownership keeps stressing the importance of pitching, but as of right now, they only have two pitchers who seem big league ready in Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco.

Twice, Jim Leyland managed championship teams that were torn apart because of economics.

Just two short years ago, the Detroit Tigers were on the verge of joining the upper echelon Major League Baseball franchises.

Face it, the Winter Meetings would be all talk and no moves without the Tigers. This year's moves, however, took on an entirely different tone.

The first day of the rest of the Cubs' lives without Milton Bradley appeared on the horizon Tuesday with multiple sources saying the Cubs were close to a deal to send Bradley to an unidentified American League team.

You cannot be in Indianapolis for this week's Winter Meetings and not think about the contrasts to 2007's Winter Meetings at Nashville.

Full disclosure: I have always loved Juan Pierre. I always traded for him on video games.

If there's been a consistent flaw in Dave Dombrowski's eight years overseeing the Tigers, it's been his willingness to too often give players the benefit of the doubt at contract time.

Tracy Ringolsby is a Hall of Fame baseball writer, recipient of the J.G. Taylor Spink Award during 2006 Hall of Fame ceremonies in Cooperstown.

Best Transaction: Trading for Miguel Cabrera.A Jury is probably still out on this one a bit, but Cabrera sure is good.A The Tigers gave up six prospects to bring Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to Detroit.A You have to wonder: If this reverse trade were offered to the Tigers RIGHT NOW, would they take it?A With the Tigers looking to unload contracts, ...

We've all heard the rumors about the Tigers shopping Curtis Granderson. Considering the position they're in, is it a good idea to trade the centerfielder? The following is something that I've only whispered to friends and never stated publicly.

First of two posts on Curtis Granderson. One from the Detroit POV; the other from the Yankees' POV.

They currently have 44 protected players between the 40 man roster and disabled lists.

In a career that has been mired with injuries and instabilities, the Marlins are foremost trying to establish some consistency with Andrew Miller.

The Mariners are off the hook on their $16 million mistake after Seattle catcher Kenji Johjima relinquished the remainder of his salary so he could return home and finish his career in Japan.

The Kenji Johjima news was barely 10 minutes old on Monday when the first email came: "Do you think Carlos Silva would opt out of his contract, too?" It's nice pipedream, but don't hold your breath on Silva relinquishing the $24 million still owed him by the Mariners through 2011.

David Dombrowski has been President/GM of the Tigers for eight baseball seasons, and just what has the team accomplished? One playoff appearance.

After the Tigers ' loss to the Twins Tuesday, Jim Leyland has been on blast from talk radio callers who are disgusted with the fact that he wouldn't pinch hit for Gerald Laird with the bases loaded in extra innings of Tuesday's one-game playoff.

It's Mike Ilitch's call now. After all, it's his wallet and he can do whatever he wants.

Coming off a disappointing season in 2008, this year's version of the Detroit Tigers seemingly bounced back as the cream of the Central Division crop.