detfan92

The Detroit Red Wings have three main components of their team right now that will become unrestricted free agents at the end of the 2008-2009 season. In order this is how I would rank them.

1. Henrik Zetterberg: He is the most talented out of the group, he has been here the longest, and is the most deserving of getting a new extension with the Detroit Red Wings.

2. Marian Hossa: I know some of you would like to see Johan Franzen in this slot but I honestly feel that Marian Hossa is going to put up more consistent numbers that Franzen is going to.

3. Johan Franzen: I believe that he will end up being the odd man out when it's all said and done, well at least that's what I would like to see if any of these three have to leave town Franzen would hurt the least.

So in total I would sign Zetterberg and then try to resign Hossa before going after Franzen.

1. Boston Red Sox - They are still the world champions and they have a solid rotation even without Curt Schilling for most of the year. Very good lineup with Manny Ramirez, Mike Lowell, and David Ortiz.

2. Detroit Tigers - Their lineup is second to none, with the additions of Miguel Cabrera, Edgar Renteria, and Jacque Jones to the lineup they are going to be very tough to stop or even slow down. The starting rotation has the potential to be a top 5 rotation. Justin Verlander is the ace of the staff, Dontrelle Willis will come out of his 2 year slump.

3. Los Angeles Angels - With the addition of Torii Hunter this lineup just got a little more pop to it and better protection for Vladimir Guerrero. The starting rotation is top 5 in the major leagues with Jared Weaver, and John Lackey leading the way. I don't think K -Rod will be a distraction even with the contract situation.

4. New York Mets - Johan Santana will help out alot. They got a steal in this trade because they got to keep Jose Reyes and David Wright. They have had questions about their rotation in years past but with the addition of Johan those questions have been answered.

5. New York Yankees - As much as I don't like the Yankees they are a good baseball team year in and year out. The lineup is 2nd in the leauge behind Detroit. Their starting pitching is very young besides Andy Pettite and Mike Mussina.

The Detroit Tigers will be starting spring training in a little more than 48 hours from now. Some regard this upcoming season as the most anticipated season in their long standing history. The expectations of the ballclub are simple it's a championship or bust, just like the Red Wings and Pistons. My expectation for this team is a world series championship.

Pitching: The starting rotation seems pretty solid going into spring training. Justin Verlander is the new ace of the team taking that away from Jeremy Bonderman. The new addition to the rotation is Dontrelle Willis who was aquired in a trade with the Florida Marlins.

Bullpen: This is the one spot that still needs to be adressed on this team. We lost Joel Zumaya for maybe the whole year, Fernando Rodney is not the most reliable person in the 8th inning and Todd Jones is what his nickname is a rollercoaster. The Tigers did give a minor league contract to Matt Mantei the former flame-thrower who has had arm problems over the past 3 or 4 years.

Lineup: Excellent, Tremendous, Perfect, Scary. Do I have to say anything else about the Tigers lineup? They are going to score over a 1,000 runs! Last year they scored 887 runs if I am correct and they have added 3 new bats to the lineup. Miguel Cabrera replace Brandon Inge which everyone see's as an upgrade. Edgar Renteria takes over shorstop as Carlos Guillen moves over to 1st base as the Tigers departed with Sean Casey. And Jaques Jones is going to play left field instead of Ryan Raburn, Craig Monroe, and Marcus Thames.

Prediction: I see this team winning around 98 games. The lineup and starting pitching is solid enough that is should cover for the bullpen. In the playoffs they will have trouble if they can't rely on the bullpen then when games are not deciding by 6 or more runs the team will run into trouble against a Boston or Los Angeles type team.

There is reason to hope for greatness from this team but in the end if you don't have a bullpen you can't win a world series and I believe that since we didn't improve the bullpen this team will take an early exit from the playoffs. But if the bullpen shocks us all or they grab another peace then you will see a championship banner being raised in early april of 2009.