Last year, the Detroit Tigers lit the fuse on their off-season immediately after the World Series ended, making the (now ill-fated) trade for Edgar Renteria. With the 2008 World Series set to end this week (and possibly tonight), could Dave Dombrowski quickly fire up the Hot Stove again?
The Tigers might not have a deal ready to go, as they presumably did with the Braves for Renteria, but the braintrust is getting together this week to figure out which direction to go this winter. Beginning today, the front office will be meeting for four days to identify the talent in other organizations they'd like to pursue. And according to Jim Leyland, this will be kind of a big deal.
"It's a very serious week," Leyland said. "You have to identify people you're interested in -- people you're willing to talk about."
Someone else the Tigers will be talking about is their new bullpen coach, who should be named this week. Jon Paul Morosi mentions minor league field coordinator Mike Rojas and advance scout Bruce Tanner as the two likely favorites.
Tanner has previous experience as a bullpen coach, having served in that position under Lloyd McClendon when he was the Pittsburgh Pirates' manager. But Rojas also has some managerial experience, previously managing in Lakeland and filling in for Larry Parrish in Toledo back in 2007.
So let the off-season truly begin. Bring us your finest relievers! Which catchers might the team be looking at? How about shortstops? Maybe a starting pitcher? Should Magglio Ordonez check into the availability of Two Men and a Truck? (The Spot Starters already has a destination mapped out for Maggs.) Can someone - anyone - take Nate Robertson? (Please?)
What's the move you're hoping the Tigers will make right away?