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Any Blue Jays fan who thinks a return to greatness in Toronto has been a long time coming should merely look to the Tigers. This is a historically significant franchise that has been in the toilet far too long. Here’s hoping they can finally get out.

This is two good games in a row for Eric,” manager Alan Trammell said. “He showed good reactions. He looks more comfortable. That’s what you hope for over time. What he’s done the last couple of days is definitely what we’re looking for.”

“I (Roger Craig) also help out with the Diamondbacks in spring training, and if they had someone like this, he would be in Double-A and Triple-A before going to the majors, simply because of the pitchers they already have at the major league level,” Craig said. “But the structure here is different. I don’t know what will happen with Bonderman, but they have a situation where if they want to they can bring him right to the big leagues.

“I’m not going to force it on anyone, but I’ll talk to everyone about it,” said Craig, the former Tiger pitching coach and split-finger guru who will spend the next week working with the Tigers.

One Cleveland official said of Bonderman: “They traded away Weaver and it looks like they got one in return who’s going to be just as good.”

Asked Friday about Smith’s remarks on the payroll, Ilitch said, “I’m not going to comment about Randy. I think Randy’s record speaks for itself.”

“I introduced him to the players, and later on in the meeting used him in one of the examples of hitting strategy,” Trammell said. “Some of our players will be asked — or forced, I guess would be a better term — in certain situations to take a pitch.
“Lou was a good guy to talk about this. When he was a leadoff hitter, he learned how to take pitches and forced himself to learn to hit behind in the count.”

“The owner threw the plan out the window,” Smith said. “An owner’s ability to stay patient and stick to his convictions, to me, is the most crucial thing in an organization. The plan can be constantly evolving. But if it is constantly changing in different directions, the organization has no chance to be successful.”