The Detroit Tiger Weblog

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  • Shiny Happy Tigers (mlive.com). Tiger players are impressed with the recent additions (Jackson, Paniagua)

    “I think it’s awesome,” Steve Sparks said. “How long’s it been (since the Tigers added payroll in spring training)? The players should take note. We need to show we appreciate the commitment. We also need to show the fans we’re worthy of support.”

  • Moehler is recovering (Detroit News)

    Brian Moehler continues to make steady progress in his recovery from shoulder surgery. He threw 60 pitches against minor-leaguers Wednesday “and is throwing all his pitches but still needs to build his arm strength,” Garner said. “You can’t speed that up.

  • From The Sporting News

    It’s easy to forget that the Tigers ranked second in the AL in bullpen ERA two years ago, and the addition of righthander Jose Paniagua could help return the ‘pen to that level. Utility infielder Damian Jackson was another quality pickup, and GM Randy Smith says the team is comfortable with Jose Macias in center field.

  • Transaction Analysis:

    The bullpen is beginning to shape up. A trio of non-roster pitchers look like they’ll make the cut: Juan Acevedo was pretty much a lock, but Matt Perisho seems to have redeemed himself, and Julio Santana appears to have come back from the dead. Along with the pickup of Jose Paniagua and probably lefty Matt Miller, that looks like a functional pen to support Matt Anderson.

  • Lynn Henning of the Detroit News projects a four to ten game improvement over the Tigers 66 wins of last year. I’d say that sounds about right.

  • Dave at scripting.com was kind enough to link to our site on Friday. He also has includes us in the brand new Weblogs.Com-Weblog Directory. Thanks Dave

  • ESPN.com ranks the left fielders and Bobby Higginson is ranked 5th in the American League. He’s just one spot behind…Frank Catalanotto.

  • CBS Sportsline Power Rankings…Detroit is 21st

    …Dmitri Young and a healthy Dean Palmer add some respect to this offense. Moreover, Dave Dombrowski brings the franchise renewed credibility.

  • Tigers get Paniagua from Colorado for Santos, minor leaguer (Detroit Free Press)
    MORE: The Denver Post on the Trade

    Paniagua has been on the trading block for several weeks because of his poor spring, his penchant for allowing flyballs and the depth in the bullpen. Paniagua, whose $1.325 million salary is now Detroit’s responsibility, seemed disinterested, a quality that could possibly disrupt chemistry down the road.

    MORE FROM ME: This trade will provide some much needed depth in the bullpen. Danny Patterson has been solid the last two years, but shoulder problems ended his season early last year, and may carry over to this year. But, Victor Santos showed an ability to throw strikes and get batters out. This is more than can be said for Nate Cornejo who is slated to be the 5th starter this year.

  • ESPN.com’s Detroit Tigers season preview

  • Here’s a San Diego perspective on the Damian Jackson trade.

    Jackson’s .194 on-base percentage and failure to bunt once in 14 exhibition games made it easier for manager Bruce Bochy to install D’Angelo Jimenez as his second baseman/leadoff man, though Bochy said the Padres will miss Jackson’s defensive excellence and speed.

  • So the Tigers made a trade with…San Diego. What a surprise. The Tigers give up Javier Cardona and Rich Gomez for utility infielder Damian Jackson and Matt Walbeck. The Tigers were supposedly in need of a utility infielder. I don’t entirely get that because the Tiger have Shane Halter, the same Shane Halter who played all 9 positions in a game two years ago. But now Shane is the starting shortstop. Nothing against Halter, but I ask you, do the Tigers need a utility man, or a shortstop?