Detroit Tigers Links: Miguel Cabrera's leadership & Darin Downs' chances in the bullpen

Can Miguel Cabrera Lead the Tigers to a Championship?
Motor City Bengals, Scott Byrne
Yes. ... Also, yes.

Joker
Brain Matters
Cannot wait to be there this weekend. It really is the perfect spring training facility.

Can left-handed reliever Darin Downs win final spot in Detroit Tigers' bullpen?
MLive.com, James Schmehl

Jim Leyland is expected to carry 12 pitchers, seven relievers when camp breaks March 30. Six of those seven are essentially filled, meaning there's seemingly one spot up for grabs.

Outfielder Avisail Garcia excels in Tigers internship
The Detroit News, Lynn Henning

Garcia revealed in eight weeks last season that his mind and work ethic are catching up with perhaps the most impressive package of all-around skills possessed by any Tigers prospect.

A-Rod’s Cousin Is Selling Replica World Series Ring. So What?
FanGraphs Baseball, Wendy Thurm

A-Rod. Traitor. Biogenesis. PEDs. Greedy cousin. Perfect storm.

Jeremy Bonderman, Dontrelle Willis struggling in comeback attempts
Detroit Free Press
Can we all agree that this isn't surprising in the slightest? OK, good.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny changes stance on home-plate collisions, wants them banned
Big League Stew, Mike Oz

If you want to have a conversation about home-plate collisions, St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny would be a good guy to speak with.

The Twins no longer tell their pitchers to "pitch to contact"
HardballTalk, Craig Calcaterra

Remember this gem from a couple of years ago? Gardy on Liriano: "We understand that he can strike people out, but if he really wants to become a pitcher, pitch to contact...