Detroit Tigers Links: Prince Fielder In Home Run Derby & Tigers Sign Two International Prospects

The Tigers signed two teenage Dominican prospects, Prince Fielder will be in the Home Run Derby, and Alex Avila thinks the team will be over .500 by the All-Star Break. These stories and more in today's Morning Prowl.

Detroit Tigers' Prince Fielder named to 2012 Home Run Derby team - MLive, James Schmehl
This will be Fielder's 3rd straight year in the Derby. Looking at his splits, I don't think we will see a Brandon Inge-esque drop off from Fielder in the 2nd half.

Tigers sign two teenage shortstops from Dominican Republic - The Detroit News, Lynn Henning
Expect the names Domingo Leyba and Willy Adames to be highly overrated by certain Tigers fans in the near future.

Avila: Goal is over .500 by break - Beck's Blog
"'I think we all have a pretty good feeling,' Avila said at the time. 'I think our goal is to get to .500 or above .500 by the end of the road trip. That’s what we want to do. We’re in a good position to do that.'"

Why do Tiger bloggers hate Jim Price? - The Wizard of Woodward
"I had more of a problem with Price when he was on with Ernie, because Price had a bad habit of streamrolling Harwell..."

For Tigers, It May Be Time for Permanent Throwback - Motor City Bengals, Garret Craig
This was suggested in the comments yesterday, but I'd go with the gray uniforms worn in the late 60s with block lettering. The ones worn on Saturday are begging to be left in the '70s and '80s.

Your 2012 All Star Tigers - Roar of the Tigers, Samara Pearlstein
Of course.

Around the AL Central:

Game 79: Angels 3, Indians 0 - Let's Go Tribe
"You knew going into this game that it would be difficult to win. Jered Weaver starting, with an scorching hot Angels lineup to back him up."

Royals Wallop Jays, Canadians Weep Into Their Tuxedo Sleeves - Royals Review
"As if they knew that we all needed a palate cleanser after a dreadful series in Minnesota, the Royals scored early and often en route to an 11 - 3 drubbing of the Toronto nine."

Twins Take Series Opener in Detroit, 6-4 - Twinkie Town
"Notes: Joe Mauer is third in the AL in batting average, at .327, and is creeping up on Paul Konerko who is second at .335. He is still also leading the AL in OBP."

Elsewhere in Baseball:

Tony La Russa Explains Decision Not To Put Johnny Cueto On All-Star Team By Admitting To Violating MLB CBA - Deadspin, Tom Ley
"This is so dumb. But then again, so is the all-star game."

End of the line for D-Train: Dontrelle Willis announces his retirement - Big League Stew, Mark Townsend
One day, Willis will go somewhere to throw out a ceremonial first pitch and throw a strike just to troll everyone.

The Week In Worst: When Baseball Goes Wrong - Baseball Nation, Jeff Sullivan
This is surprisingly awesome.