The trade

When news reached me on Wednesday that the Tigers traded Prince Fielder for the Rangers' Ian Kinsler, I went through a progression of emotions.

9:00 PM- What?!  You gotta be kidding me.  Dom, you are the stupidest mind in all of baseball!  A first baseman for a second baseman?!  Getting rid of Prince, who we gave a huge contract and was the boy that came home to Detroit.  This is bananas.

9:05- Ian Kinsler is a baller.  I mean, just imagine the middle of the infield.  Iggy and Kinsler are two masters of fielding and are solid single-double hitters.  Kinsler isn't a power hitter, but it's a known fact that Comerica Park is NOT a home run park.  Omar's contract is up so this is a good transition.

9:10- Plus, Ian Kinsler is good looking.  In fact, he got second place in the Tigress's hottest men of the AL post for second basemen.

9:17- Miggy can move back to first base!  Not as much wear and tear on his body and give him a chance to do what he's really good at...hitting.

9:21- VMart can play first base when we play in a NL park while Miggy plays the occasional third.  That leaves his bat in the lineup.  In fact, he can move right behind Cabby and create a really effective one-two punch.

9:26- Prince was a disappointment during the playoffs.  It's probably best that he's leaving after his mediocre performance.  I'd hate for him to have been a stud and then got traded.  Oh man, my mind is on overload.  I need to go to bed.

7:16 AM Thursday- FOR SCHERZER!!!  The Tigers opened up some money to re-sign Scherzer!  That has to be part of Dom's master plan.  It HAS to be part of the master plan.

7:22- Holy cow, is Dom the smartest man in baseball?  It's entirely possible.  If Castellanos plays third (he'd have to earn it), then the only position that's unsure is left field.  That's pretty good!  Oh, and the bullpen of course, but Dom's got three full months to figure this out.

So, had I written a post right away, I probably would have pooh-poohed Dom's plan, but after careful reflection and talking to the most devoted fans at work, I've come around to Dom's madness.  There was only one person I talked to yesterday that was disappointed by the trade.  That means 9 out of 10 people in West Michigan approve.  That's almost as many dentists that suggest flossing.  It's just a good thing I got Baby Tigress a Verdiggity doll instead of the Princey Pie doll.  I'd hate for her to be out of vogue before she's out of the womb.

The big prize

Even though the elusive World Series ring escaped the boys from Detroit again, two Tiger players won some pretty prestigious awards all on their own.  First, Maxxy brought home the Cy Young for Detroit (again) even with his pit stains in full view.  Cabby also brought home his second MVP in a row.  As Sister Tigress noted, the other two guys, Davis and Trouty Mouth, were bridesmaids all along and were just happy to be there.

No need to sweat, Maxxy.  You had it in the bag.

While the individual awards are wonderful and well deserved, I can't help but feel a little empty inside this holiday season.  Tiger fans have waited a long twenty-nine years since their last World Series win.  2014 has to be the year the Series is dominated by Detroit once again.  Remember, Bring the Roar in 20-1-4 is already trending on Twitter and is being process for a registered trademark (every time someone says or tweets it, I'll receive a high five).  To secure another Word Series run, we need to bring in the big prize...a contract with Maximus Scherzer.

Take it to the Max has already declared from the top of the whale building that he wants to be a Tiger.  Who doesn't?  He doesn't want to pitch versus Sanchez or Verlander.  He doesn't want to face VMart and Cabby.  He wants to be on a proven playoff team with the key players returning.  To be real, Max was a big reason the Tigers had such success this year.  Without him, the road is more rocky.

Dig deep Mr. Illitch.  If this means I need to buy more Hot and Readys, I'm willing to make that sacrifice.  If that means the Red Wings never make the playoffs again, that's ok (hockey is for Canadians anyway).  Just sign For Scherzer and Bring the Roar in 20-1-4.

MANagers

Congratulations to Rad Brad Ausmus on securing the Tigers' manager position.  As I previous wrote, Dom took the risky option by selecting someone with little (like minuscule) managing experience.  Brad made a good point in his press conference on Sunday though.  It's not a rebuilding year for the Tigers.  By all accounts, the Tigers bring back most major players next year and are expected to make another payoff run.  Brad is inheriting an impressive team who has been coached by a veteran manager for the past seven years.  Only down side is that it seems old Geno is sticking around to "influence" the new manager.  Just keep him on the bench, Brad.  Don't let him go on the field again.

Don't stare in his eyes too long.  You might get lost.

Congratulations also go out to Lloyd McClendon for earning the managing job in Seattle.  He has definitely made a name for himself being the hitting coach for the power Tigers.  It will be interesting to see what fresh faces Brad brings in to help manage his first year.  Ideally, Jeff Jones would continue to be the pitching coach to the best starting rotation in the AL and would help to rebuild the bullpen.  We'll see if Dom and Brad secure him before someone else snatches him up.