Afternoon Prowl: Michael Young, Rotational Rankings, Prospects and more

It looks like the writers are starting to stir as the Tigers approach those words we love: PItchers and Catchers report. Here's a survey of what's being written about Detroit and a few division rivals.

• The first truck of equipment from Detroit has arrived in Lakeland
  Via the Lakeland Flying Tigers' Twitter account, we have this picture of equipment arriving in Florida. Spring Training is almost here!

• Detroit News: Tigers' Justin Verlander seeks fast start in 2011
  Justin Verlander hopes he has addressed the issues that led him to poor starts in April the past two years, Lynn Henning reports.

• Beyond the Box Score: Ranking The Rotations -- AL Central
  In case you missed it, SB Nation site Beyond the Box Score ranked the rotations. They put the Tigers third. (Which seems reasonable given Phil Coke is an unknown and Brad Penny is coming off an injury). I think Detroit has the potential to finish higher than that but I have no qualms with the ranking heading into spring training.
  
  Satchel Price writes:
  They have the most dominant one-two punch in the division with Verlander and Scherzer, but this rotation could easily be categorized as boom-or-bust

• Yahoo! Sports: It's now or never for the Tigers
  I don't agree with the headline on Jeff Passan's article. This seems to be a theme among the national media. But that's why you read from the local writers say, right? The Tigers did not mortgage their future at all and have one of the most exciting pitching prospects in the minor leagues set to arrive as early as next year and join the division's best 1-2 punch. It's now and next year, and the year after, and the year after, if you ask me.

• Fox Sports' Jon Paul Morosi: Six reasons why the Tigers aren't pursuing Michael Young

• MLB.com: Tigers confident in second-base options, not likely a fit for Michael Young
  Jason Beck writes the Tigers are happy with their current second base options -- Will Rhymes, Scott Sizemore and later Carlos Guillen -- and have no interest in pursuing Michael Young. For his part, Young appears to have no interest in coming to Detroit either, since the team is on his no-trade list.

• MLive: Tigers' Carlos Guillen and Rangers' Michael Young former shortstops seeking new positions
  Ian draws some interesting parallels between Michael Young and Carlos Guillen

• Motor City Bengals: Know Your Enemy: Minnesota Twins
  John Parent takes a closer look at how the Twins' offseason went and how they stack up heading into 2011.

• Peavy optimistic about recovery
  White Sox' starter Jake Peavy spoke to reporters today and feels optimistic about being ready for the regular season, but it's certainly not a guarantee.

• Comerica Park 48201: Here's the patch in honor of Sparky Anderson the Tigers will wear.

• AL Central In Focus: Prospect Profile -- Avisail Garcia
  Corey remains busy and today looked at Tigers prospect Avisail Garcia.

• MCB: Down on the Farm -- Brayan Villarreal
  Another prospect profile, this time from JayRC, who looks at Villarreal.

• Freep: Tigers announce March 7 tryout camp in Lakeland
  On March 7 the Tigers will hold an open tryout for those ages 18-23 or who have had professional baseball experience.

• Fanhouse: Top 100 Prospects of 2011
  Frankie Piliere ranked Jacob Turner 26th and Andy Oliver 88th.