ESPN's Buster Olney says there's tension brewing at Comerica Park between Jim Leyland and Dave Dombrowski:
• Folks who know both GM Dave Dombrowski and manager Jim Leyland believe there is serious tension between the two that could manifest itself in some way if the Tigers get off to a poor start in 2009.
No elaboration from there, but I suppose the point is clear. It certainly seemed like there might be some hard feelings between the two when Leyland didn't get a contract extension after the season. And apparently, there hasn't been much of a change since October. The question is, have things gotten worse?
Is Leyland unhappy with the players his general manager provided in 2008? Does Dombrowski think his manager should've done a better job with what he was given? Are they in sync on the Tigers' off-season plans?
Maybe the Winter Meetings will give us an idea of whether or not there's a united front between field manager and executive. Otherwise, maybe we'll notice be a ticking sound that gets louder and louder throughout the beginning of next season if the Tigers don't play well.