Scott Sizemore News

The Tigers made it far clearer Tuesday that money matters during their 2009 off-season plans as they declined to offer salary arbitration to second baseman Placido Polanco.

I'm bored. Are you bored? Here, have some old school Tiger doodles that I did to test out a new pen tip.

The least perfect of imperfect sciences is plotting big-league baseball talent. It's not only difficult to project, it can be maddeningly mercurial.

By Tuesday night, the Tigers must give free-agent second baseman Placido Polanco a firm indication of how willing they are to re-sign him.

Yesterday I posted the Top 10 prospect lists from Baseball America for the NL East and NL Central teams.

The strength of the Tigers organization, it was thought, was pitching. Up and down the system, there were intriguing arms, especially ones who could light up the radar gun at times.

Five-Star Prospects 1. Jacob Turner, RHP 2. Casey Crosby, LHP Four-Star Prospects 3. Scott Sizemore , 2B Three-Star Prospects 4. Daniel Fields, SS 5. Andy Oliver, LHP 6. Alex Avila , C 7. Cody Satterwhite, RHP 8. Wilkin Ramirez Ryan Strieby , 1B 10.

Baseball free agency began at midnight Thursday. Over 150 players are free to sign with other clubs, and teams must set their 40-man roster today to determine which players are available for the Rule 5 draft on Dec.

Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski has trade discussions percolating -- a lot of trade discussions, judging by his comments over the past week or so -- but he says those won't slow any of his free-agent talks as the Tigers' exclusive negotiating period with their own free agents closes Thursday night.

The roster was at 42, but with the 6 free agents off the roster, and the addition of these 4 players it is now full at 40.

It's that fun time of year when the Tigers have to prepare their 40-man roster for free agents and the Rule 5 draft .

Two weeks have passed since the World Series ended and only one more day remains before open season kicks off for free agents, and teams are required to finalize 40-man rosters.

While the Tigers look at the possibility of adding young talent in trade talks, they have their own prospects to worry about, and a deadline by which to decide about them.

The World Series may still be fresh in your mind, but MLB GMs are already focusing on next season.

Placido Polanco will hit the free-agent market with a nice addition to his resume.

Former Tigers infielder Tom Brookens is headed back to Detroit, this time to join manager Jim Leyland's coaching staff as the new first-base, outfield and baserunning coach.

Placido Polanco, who turned 34 last month, batted .285 with 72 RBIs and 82 runs this season.

The period gives teams an a oeexclusivea negotiating window in which players can talk to other teams, but not talk contract parameters.

The World Series is close to wrapping up, and it has gotten chilly in the midwest.

Outfielder Casper Wells is having the best showing of the Tigers' seven prospects competing in the Arizona Fall League with the Peoria Javelinas.