Like Stripes on the Fur Coat of a Tiger - 09/17

  Apparently, it was Kenny Rogers' idea, not Jim Leyland's, to be taken out of the starting rotation.  Not only did he know he wasn't pitching well enough to keep getting starts, but Rogers realized the team needs to take a look at other pitchers on the staff as they plan for next year.

   Has Curtis Granderson been the best leadoff hitter in the majors since the All-Star break?  The Spot Starters (with Blake's snazzy new layout) decided to see if the numbers support such an assertion.

   I think the general consensus in Tiger Town is "just say no" to Frankie Rodriguez.  Newsday's Ken Davidoff says the Mets aren't interested, and the Cardinals could be the front-runners for K-Rod.  But he's keeping the Tigers in the picture, while acknowledging they need to cut payroll, not add it.

(via MLB Trade Rumors)

   Instead of a hugely expensive free agent, maybe the Tigers should look to the far east for relief.  Both The Detroit Tigers Weblog and Detroit Tigers Thoughts think Detroit should explore getting into the Junichi Tazawa business.  The 22-year-old Tazawa throws in the low 90s and struck out 56 batters (vs. four walks) in 54 innings, while helping his amateur team to a championship.

Signing Tazawa would also make my mother happy because she often asks me why the Tigers don't have any Asian players, and she's not buying my "because Jim Leyland doesn't speak Japanese" rationale.

   Over at Roar of the Tigers, Samela has coined an expletive that is sure to catch on.  At least over the next two weeks.  "Catdamn!"  Which player will it be directed at the most? 

  Just when you thought this Kyle Farnsworth deal couldn't work out much worse fo the Tigers, it looks like they won't even get a draft pick for him once he enters free agency.  What a revolting development.