After giving up eight runs in less than four innings versus the Yankees last week, John Smoltz was released by the Boston Red Sox, and it appeared that his career might be over.  (As it turns out, perhaps not, because several teams are interested in giving him a look.) 

In light of that development, my first thought was, "Whew!  The Tigers dodged a bullet on that one."  Remember when he was being viewed as a possible closer?)  Others might be thinking, "Hey, Smoltz is available now!"  But really, do the Tigers need any of that?  It's not like the Red Sox couldn't use him, and they got rid of him.

But this got me to thinking about the other transactions Detroit didn't make this winter.  That J.J. Putz deal falling through might have been the best thing to happen to the Tigers' 2009 season.  Mostly because it led to Dave Dombrowski making a trade instead for Edwin Jackson.  But also because Putz suffered an elbow injury that will keep him out until September, if not the rest of the season.  

And what about Kerry Wood?  He seemed to be the Tigers' first choice as closer, until the Indians swooped in and signed him to a larger deal than the Tigers presumably offered.  But with a 4.72 ERA and five blown saves, he makes Fernando Rodney look just fine. 

Oh, and let's include Jack Wilson, since he's been a perennial trade rumor attached to the Tigers.

So that will be this week's poll question:

What's the best move the Tigers didn't make this offseason?

You can find the poll on the right sidebar below the FanPosts block.  Or you can vote here.  And if you have suggestions for future poll questions, shoot me an e-mail.  Please add your thoughts in the comments.

How did our last poll go?

Okay, so this one was probably a softball, and I should've expected the results.  But I honestly didn't think it'd be a complete annihilation of a landslide.

Who has the best top of the rotation in the American League?

75%  Tigers (Verlander, Jackson, Washburn)

9%  Red Sox (Beckett, Lester, Penny)

7%  Yankees (Sabathia, Burnett, Pettitte)

3%  Angels (Lackey, Weaver, Saunders)

3%  Rays (Shields, Garza, Price)