I don't know about you, but for me that alarm came way too early this morning after a lengthy winter break. Alas, it's time to get back to work today.
But we're not the only ones who have work today this Monday mornin'.
Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski should be getting back from his reported vacation as well, refreshed and ready to get back to business of building a division-contending baseball team in 2010 and beyond.
So today's question -- suggested by Editor Emeritus Ian, refreshed after his winter break, as well -- is this:
What do you think the first thing Dombrowski should be taking care of is? Besides getting his morning coffee, anyway.
My answer is almost an anti-answer. First off, I think he actually needs to avoid the temptation to find a closer. USA Today thought the Tigers needed to add Jose Valverde, but I hope they're not even in the running. My take was and remains this: they need to find which of their young pitchers will step forward and be the closer of the future. Rather than paying the higher dollars that saves command on the open market, they have a plethora of relievers to sort through in the coming season. Then, if they find none of them fit the bill, then maybe they'd better hit the free-agent market next offseason.
Other than that, I'm not sure there's too much left to do with the forthcoming incarnation of the Tigers. I guess I'd also like to see them pursue a true DH like Jim Thome, who would really be perfect for their needs (left-handed hitter, some middle-of-the-lineup power).
Quick hits:
- John Sickels at Minor League Ball released his preliminary top-20 ranking of Tigers prospects.
- Are the Tigers interested in second baseman Orlando Hudson? The Freep thinks they are. But they cite reports that cite reports, so it feels like a giant game of telephone to me.
- MLB.com's Jason Beck answers 10 questions about the team's future.