Free agency is now underway, but the prevailing opinion seems to be that teams will try to improve themselves through trades before shopping the open market.  Judging from all the rumors swirling around the Detroit Tigers, that's going to be Dave Dombrowski's approach.

And if this offseason is anything like last year's, some of these free agents, especially the middle- to lower-tier - could be looking for contracts well into January, as teams wait for prices to go down. 

I guess that's my long-winded way of saying there probably won't be much action today.  So after a one-week hiatus (due to Curtis Granderson trade rumors), BYOBYB returns.  Whatever's on your mind - whether it's the Tigers, baseball in general, or something off-topic - you can discuss it here.

Possible topics to discuss:

• Will Edwin Jackson be a Detroit Tiger by Thanksgiving?
• Do you expect the Tigers to make any moves with free agents before the Winter Meetings?
• Did baseball really need to drag out its awards announcements, holding off the MVP picks until next week?
• What are your Thanksgiving plans?  Are you traveling?  Are you hosting?  Will it be a big bonanza with family or friends?  Or something more low-key?
• And if we're talking Thanksgiving, we have to discuss your favorite dishes.

But those are just suggestions.  Bring up whatever you'd like.  This open thread now belongs to you, people.  Enjoy your weekend!

Just in case you're planning to watch the Arizona Fall League's Rising Stars Showcase tonight on MLB Network (8:15 p.m. ET), we'll have an open thread for the game.  (Though I know not everyone gets MLB Network on their cable provider.)

The Detroit Tigers will have two prospects participating, outfielder Casper Wells (who's been getting a lot of press in the local press for his play) and pitcher Andrew Oliver.

Wells has a .358/.444/.736 average with four homers and 20 RBIs in 53 at-bats during AFL play.

Oliver has a 1-1 record and 1.58 ERA with 13 strikeouts and eight walks in 12 innings.

More photos » by David J. Phillip - AP

Will Curtis Granderson be high-fiving Adam Everett and Placido Polanco next season?

Browse more photos »

The Hot Stove season got under way yesterday with players filing for free agency, and a handful of deals already getting made.  But facing the weekend, let's do some BYOBYB.  Whatever's on your mind - whether it's the Tigers, baseball in general, or something off-topic - you can discuss it here.

I'm thinking this will be a regular Friday thing during the offseason, unlesss people would like to see more of it. A few weeks ago, someone suggested daily open threads.  That seems like a bit much to me, especially as rumors and transactions begin to pick up.  But we're open to suggestions.

Other topics to discuss:

• The Twins, Royals, and White Sox have already jumped head-first into the offseason.  Will the Tigers be quick to follow, or might there be a more cautious approach this winter?
• For those who wanted J.J. Hardy, what hurts more: Seeing another team get him or him going to a division rival?
• Which of the Tigers' free agents would you most like to see return?
• Did you watch any of the Yankees' championship parade (or the "Canyon of Heroes," as they're calling it) this afternoon?
• madpoopz tested out his flamethrower.  He's posted video in a FanPost, if you'd like to check that out.

And with that, this open thread belongs to you, people.  Enjoy your weekend!

The Philadelphia Phillies showed they're still "The Fightins" by winning Monday's Game 5, and sending the World Series back to New York.  Did they regain momentum in this series, or do the Yankees still have an insurmountable lead?  

For the third straight game, the Yanks will start a pitcher on short rest.  Joe Girardi has a 50% success rate on this, with CC Sabathia pitching well and A.J. Burnett faltering.  Could this aggressive approach end up backfiring on the Yankees' manager?

The starting pitchers for Game 6 are Pedro Martinez for the Phillies and Andy Pettitte for the Yankees.

(And how can you not love the cover of today's New York Post?)

The Good Phight and Pinstripe Alley are your SB Nation sites to follow this evening.

More photos » by David J. Phillip - AP

Both A.J. Burnett and Cliff Lee were dominant in their first starts of the 2009 World Series. Will either one of them blink tonight?

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Cliff Lee has been the Phillies' most important pitcher since they acquired him near the July trade deadline.  So perhaps it's fitting that he's on the mound when his team needs him the most, with a 3-1 series deficit.  (Surely, some Phillies fans would argue that Lee should've pitched last night.) 

Meanwhile, Joe Girardi appears to be going for the kill, pitching A.J. Burnett on short rest, one night after doing so with CC Sabathia.  Last night, a couple of analysts on MLB Network thought Girardi was being too hasty and could afford to take a chance with a lesser pitcher (Chad Gaudin) on the road, with two potential home games coming up.  I think I prefer Girardi's approach.

Pinstripe Alley and The Good Phight are your SB Nation sites to follow, for what could be the last game of the 2009 season.  

More photos » by Wilfredo Lee - AP

4 months ago: Philadelphia Phillies' Joe Blanton delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Florida Marlins, Saturday, July 18, 2009, at Land Shark Stadium in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

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After last night's 8-5 win in Game 3, the Yankees could take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Phillies with a victory tonight.  Will Philadelphia regret not pitching Cliff Lee on short rest, as the Yanks are doing tonight with CC Sabathia?  Especially now that it appears that the Yankees' lineup may have revived itself?

Joe Blanton won a game for the Fightins in last year's World Series, allowing two runs and four hits, with seven strikeouts, in six innings.  But he's 0-3 with a 8.18 ERA in four career starts versus the Yankees.

Pinstripe Alley and The Good Phight are your SB Nation sites to follow this evening.

More photos » by Julie Jacobson - AP

21 days ago: Brent N. Sharp, from Sinking Springs, Penn., dressed as an Elvis impersonator, dances outside of Citizens Bank Park before Game 3 of the Major League Baseball World Series between the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

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Both the Yankees and Phillies started their new pitching acquisitions in Games 1 and 2 of the World Series, but are coming back with homegrown products for Game 3.

Though he left to play with the Astros for three years, Andy Pettitte began his career with the Yankees and has played nine of his 12 seasons in New York.  This will be his seventh start in the World Series.  Cole Hamels goes for the Phillies, and the fact that he's starting Game 3 speaks to how he's struggled this year.

Pinstripe Alley and The Good Phight are your SB Nation sites to follow.

More photos » by Anonymous - AP

26 days ago: FILE -- This is an Oct. 9, 1984, file photo showing San Diego Padres pitcher Mark Thurmond throwing a pitch toward a Detroit Tigers batter in the first inning of the opening game of the World Series, at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego. This year's World Series will continue a night-game tradition that started after the 1984 series. Since then, the sun hasn't shone on baseball's biggest stage.(AP Photo/File)

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It's Friday and a little bit slow, so how about some BYOBYB?  If you're new to these parts, it's the open thread where you can chat about whatever's on your mind, whether it's the Tigers, baseball in general, or something completely off-topic.

Here are some possible topics to bat around:

• Curtis Granderson's Marvin Miller Man of the Year award.  (Comments for this should probably go in the FanPost that was posted.)
  
• What are you dressing up as for Halloween this year?  Are you going to any parties?  If you have kids, are you taking them trick-or-treating?  
• How are you feeling about this World Series so far after two games?
  
• Was last night's episode of Community the best of the season or what?
• I've been eyeing this new Verizon Droid phone, but don't know if I really need something like that.  What kind of smartphone are you carrying around?
• What's the last movie you went out to see?  (Or, heck, watched on DVD?)  I still haven't made it to Where the Wild Things Are, and I'm getting twitchy.
• Are you already sick of pumpkin-flavored stuff (lattes, muffins, donuts, beer, etc.)?  Or do you love this time of year?  Is there something that isn't yet pumpkin-flavored, but should be?  Like a Taco Bell item?

Those are just suggestions, of course.  This open thread belongs to you, the people.  And with that, have a good weekend.  I'm thinking it'll be a light weekend of posts, but we'll certainly have a World Series open thread.