The first victim of the unmitigated disaster that is the Tigers bullpen was claimed, as Yorman Bazardo was designated for assignment and young lefthander Clay Rapada was called up.

Bazardo must clear waivers before heading down to Toledo. Given his first week with the Tigers, that probably is just semantics.

Rapada has made five appearances in the majors, four with the Tigers and one with the Cubs, where he was acquired from. He didn’t have much luck, but in only five games, hard to say much more than that. In the minors, the 27-year-old has a 3.00 ERA.  He strikes out between 20 to 30 percent of the batters he faces, according to  FirstInning.com, and he walks less than 10 percent he faces. He also forces ground balls about half the time.

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The Tigers know a good thing when they see one. With the massive popularity of the team, officials decided to add 778 seats to Comerica Park, bringing its capacity to 41, 782.

They must be trying to figure out how to pay for both Justin Verlander AND Miguel Cabrera at the same time …

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(UPDATE: My article is up at Razzball, check it out and let me know what you think at either site).

I was recently asked to write a preview piece on the Tigers to run at Razzball. In the full article — I’ll link to it when it runs — I mostly looked at offseason moves and expectations with a fantasy glance at a couple Tigers hitters and pitchers. Well, I couldn’t stop there. So for anyone who waits until the final week before the season opener before their draft, I present this complete guide to drafting the Tigers.

I’m not going to claim any great fantasy pedigree or anything. I read Baseball Prospectus regularly, glance at some fantasy sites and tend to finish near the top — seldom (if ever) at the top — of my leagues. My assumption is a 10-team league. Adjust guys as need be depending on the actual size of yours.

Although the Tigers have a great team, I do not necessarily think it’s one chocked full of fantasy options. They do have a few guys you definitely want — Miguel Cabrera, Carlos Guillen, Magglio Ordonez, Justin Verlander, to name a few. But only Cabrera is a first rounder. Still, there are some Tigers who I think have been overlooked, so read on.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Curtis Granderson will host an NCAA March Madness pool at ESPN.com this year. The winner of the pool will receive a bat autographed by Curtis. I know I’ll be joining, so enjoy the fight for second place The sign-up link is here.

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I have just received my copy of Tigers Corner 2008, and I’ve begun to peruse it. For Tigers fans or for people who know one, it makes a great read to get ready for the season. Many of your favorite bloggers — myself excluded, though I did assist by editing an article — had a hand in it, including Brian (managing editor and writer) , Bilfer, Lee and Matt and Mike. Gary Gillette of ESPN.com edited and wrote for it, as well. It’s an inexpensive book filled with looks backward and forward, and well designed, too, I might add. Definitely check it out when it hits the newstands tomorrow, or buy it from its publisher, Maple Street Press. You won’t be disappointed.

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Well, Detroit blew a prime chance to make up much-needed ground in the A.L. Central and wild card by showing a seven-run lead. Analysis Monday. Game recaps can be found elsewhere!

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Just a few things I’ve pondered lately.

Should Gary Sheffield go on the disabled list?

YES! All-caps because it’s so emphatic. I do not see what good is served by having an injured Gary Sheffield using on a spot on the 25-man roster. Sheffield first said he wo

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Before I head to work … make that, I forgot to hit “publish, so after I got back” …

Roman Colon traded

Well, all those who called for Roman Colon to be released following his game of King of the Ring in the Toledo dugout would have received nothing for something. Dave Dombrowski, on the other hand, is receiving who-knows-what. Colon was traded to KC for a player-to-be-named-later.

Bunt Singles:

• While I’m waiting for Ian to answer his own questions, Big Al weighed in at The Wayne Fontes Experience. Make sure to check them out. Then bug Ian some.
• Al, by the way, posted his Tigers pitching grades yesterday.
• Rotoworld lists the top prospects. (Hat tip Bilfer)

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The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports Mike Maroth will start for the Cards Monday against the Mets.

ESPN2 will be televising that game.

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AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AP photo

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