Detroit Tigers Links: Thoughts on a replacement for José Valverde & more trade speculation

Thoughts on Jim Leyland finding a replacement for José Valverde, more trade speculation as the deadline approaches, and Carlos Guillen will be honored at an upcoming game. These stories and more in today's Morning Prowl.

Tigers links:

Walkoff Woodward: Dear Jim Leyland, please think about finding a new closer -- Detroit Free Press, Josh Worn
I think Alice Cooper could make a pretty good case for becoming the new closer. If nothing else, he'll scare the s*** out of you while you're batting.

Detroit Tigers to honor former All-Star Carlos Guillen in pregame ceremony Aug. 4 -- MLive.com, Josh Slagter
"Guillen will be honored in a pregame ceremony before the Tigers' game against the Cleveland Indians."

There's little to stop the Tigers if everyone's swinging now -- The Detroit News, Bob Wojnowski
As happy as I am with the way the Tigers are playing, I'm going to hold off on the celebration until they get through the rest of this week. Especially after last night's debacle.

The great 28 (part 1 of 2) -- The Hardball Times, Chris Jaffe
"Want to find out who the best team ever was? Let's find out with the 1000 season simulator from SG at the Replacement Level Yankee Weblog."

Tigers Eyeing D'Backs Infielders -- Motor City Bengals, Sam Genson
"Perhaps I am missing something, but that doesn’t really make sense - statistically or financially." Also, zzzzzzzzz.

Second baseman is Tigers' biggest need, but Dave Dombrowski should move cautiously -- The Detroit News, Lynn Henning
If I hear one more "Don't you remember the John Smoltz for Doyle Alexander trade?" comment, my head might explode.

Your daily dose of SpeedBerry -- Roar of the Tigers, Samara Pearlstein
Because ... why not?

Around the AL Central:

Game 90: Rays 4, Indians 2 -- Let's Go Tribe
"The Tampa Bay bullpen stymied the Indians again, with Tampa winning the game 4-2. A recap of the game."

Verdugo Channels His Inner Sanchez, Blows Up Early in 9-6 Royals Loss -- Royals Review, Jeff Zimmerman
"Verdugo Channels His Inner Sanchez, Blows Up Early in 9-6 Royals Loss."

White Sox 7, Red Sox 5: More revenge for Youkilis -- South Side Sox, Jim Margalus
"Kevin Youkilis continued to stick it to his former team, hitting a three-run homer to break open an eventual White Sox victory at Fenway Park."

Elsewhere in baseball:

The Wrath of Kevin Youkilis -- The Triangle Blog, Shane Ryan
"He's motivated, but in true Youkilis fashion, the motivation is pure ego." No, ya don't say?

Ron Gardenhire plays hardball, holds Jim Thome’s 607th homer for ransom -- Big League Stew, Kevin Kaduk
"He's got to do something to get this ball. I know that," Gardenhire said. "He hurt our feelings. So if he wants the ball back, Jim, make my day." There is so much awesome in that quote.

The Top 10 Underrated Players In Baseball -- Baseball Nation, Grant Brisbee
"Do you love arguing about arbitrary lists?" Why yes, yes I do. I want to know why Gerald Laird isn't on this list. Must of just been an oversight. It happens.

"Chavez Ravine might have the worst beer selection in the bigs" -- HardballTalk, Craig Calcaterra
I don't even like beer and this upsets me. That selection is just awful.