Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera's budding romance, top prospects, and Mariano Rivera's 'secret': Morning Prowl

Despite Rob linking to every article ever written yesterday (only kidding), I still managed to find a few lonely articles that were begging for some linkage love.

Tigers links:

Tigers spring training: Prince Fielder, Miguel Cabrera have instant chemistry -- Detroit Free Press, Jeff Seidel
I had to double-check the author on this article like five times. And nope, it's not written by Mitch Albom. Weird.

I think Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera are going to kiss -- HardballTalk, Craig Calcaterra
And here's an article making fun of the previous article. Mostly, I just laughed a lot when I read the headline, so I wanted to share that laughter with all of you. Aren't I nice?

Prince Fielder traded his video-game self to the Tigers before reporting to camp -- Big League Stew, Kevin Kadul
Well, yeah. Wouldn't you?

Max Scherzer inducted into the University of Missouri HOF -- University of Missouri Official Athletic Site
Thanks to Cats With Bats for linking to this. Scherzer gives his acceptance speech after being inducted into the University of Missouri Hall of Fame Feb. 10. His nervous awkwardness is adorable.

Detroit Tigers over-under: How many games will Justin Verlander win this season? -- MLive.com, Chris Iott
I'm going with a solid 20. Not that I don't think Verlander is capable of matching -- or even besting -- last season's record, I just don't honestly think he will. But as long as the rest of the rotation does their part, a 20-win season will be just as effective.

Several fans keep asking… -- Comerica Park, 48201
Ever wondered what "puns" are used around the ballpark for the Tigers players? No? Well read this anyway, because it's fun.

Verlander pitching cereal for veterans -- FS Detroit, Reed Nelson
Shockingly -- or not -- it doesn't take much when it comes to convincing me to eat food. But when the proceeds go to a good cause, it takes even less convincing. So Limited Edition Justin Verlander Fastball Flakes, you say? Don't mind if I do.

In case you didn't know, Tony La Russa is in Lakeland. And he has just one goal while he's there.

La Russa joked that his goal in #Tigers camp is to get Leyland to stop smoking. Thought he had better chance at getting Leyland to eat tofu.

— Jason Beck (@beckjason) February 21, 2012

Around the AL Central:

Chicago White Sox 2012 Preview: 7 Reasons To Be Unreasonably Optimistic -- Midwest Sports Fans, Jerod Morris
What's the over/under on games into the season before this optimism fades? I'm going to say 10 -- or one Adam Dunn strikeout.

Twins won't tell Mauer to avoid blocking the plate -- Minneapolis Star Tribune, La Velle Neal
The Minnesota Twins continue the plate-blocking debate by telling Joe Mauer to take a collision or two if needed. It's definitely a risky move, considering Mauer's injury history and importance to the Twins franchise.

Elsewhere in baseball:

Chicago Cubs send pitcher Chris Carpenter to Boston Red Sox as comp for Theo Epstein -- ESPN
I'm thinking the Red Sox are disappointed that they got the wrong Chris Carpenter.

Yankees not ready to consider club after Mariano Rivera -- Yankees.com, Bryan Hoch
This quote wins everything: "I'll believe it when I see it," Yankees set-up man David Robertson said. "He may have hinted, but you never know. He could Brett Favre us."

Prospects: Rankings: Top 100 Prospects: 2012 Top 100 Prospects -- Baseball America
Baseball America's annual list of the top 100 prospects features three guys who were all vying for the top spot: outfielders Bryce Harper and Mike Trout and lefthander Matt Moore.