The Saginaw Spirit

                My blog has been based on Detroit Sports but I will be going off topic for this post. I am a big fan of the Saginaw Spirit and I have season tickets so I follow the team pretty closely. I feel more hockey fans around our area should do the same because it is cheap future NHL talent that is local. It is very entertaining for kids and for sports fans that love hard hitting action.

                The Saginaw Spirit are currently struggling this year due to injuries and suspensions. This whole season there has been only a handful of games played with the full roster. Josh Shalla, missed most of the start of the season and Brandon Saad has been injured ever since Shalla has been back. Shalla and Saad are what most believed to be the top goal scorers for the Spirit this season and we have barely even seen them on the ice together in the same game this year.

                This Saginaw Spirit team this season was highly thought of on paper but has not yet been able to live up to expectations. I strongly feel the acquisition of another forward would put this team over the top when Saad is 100% back and Vincent Trocheck returns from what could possibly be a suspension. The OHL has not hit its Christmas break yet but it would be great to start turning this season around before it begins. 

                I would definitely not count the Saginaw Spirit out on this season, they have way too much talent to give up on this season and sell for the future. I would not even be surprised to see the Spirit make some moves to boost their team for this season. It should be interesting.

Lions are Undisciplined

                On Sunday night the Detroit Lions played the New Orleans Saints and loss 31-17. The game was overall embarrassing because of the undisciplined play. It is really a shame because the lions could be known for so many better things. They have some of the top young players in the league in the league in Stafford, Suh, and Calvin Johnson, they have the potential to make their first playoff appearance since 1999, but they have just played there second game in the row with too many undisciplined penalties.

                I really do not know what to think of this. I am very proud of the Detroit Lions success this year but ever since Schwartz’ argument with Harbaugh the team has been playing undisciplined. I am hoping this is not going to be an ongoing issue and the players can concentrate and realize they are in a playoff race.

                I am not sure if it is because the team is so young that we are playing like undisciplined thugs, or if the coaching is not doing its job and keeping the players under control. If the coaches cannot get things under control, then the team’s veterans should be stepping up. I am not saying fire Schwartz because I for one feel he is just as responsible for our success this year as Mayhew and all of the players. He has brought back Detroit football and his attitude is just what this team needs.

                I understand the Lions have developed a bad boys reputation but there is a limit and if it is costing us wins it needs to be put to a stop. Overall, the Detroit Lions need to use their heads and buckle down because they are in a playoff hunt and it is getting interested. It is really a shame we couldn’t get a win this week especially because the Chicago Bears lost.

Detroit Tigers and Jose Reyes

At the end of the 2011 season the GM of the Detroit Tigers Dave Dombrowski said he was doubtful of adding another $20 million player during the off season. He also said that it was unlikely he would move Jhonny Peralta to third next season. There are reports that he might have changed his mind.

                It is being reported that Jose Reyes, a third basemen who previously played for the New York Mets is seeking a long term contract worth $100,000 million plus. It is also being reported that the Tigers could possibly be one of these teams that could make a run for him.

                Along with a starting pitcher and one reliever, I feel the Detroit Tigers main option should be Jose Reyes. He is the only player on the free agent market that fits our needs. We need a leadoff man because Austin Jackson’s average of 1 strikeout a game isn’t cutting it as a leadoff hitter. We need to add more speed to our lineup to make up for our tremendously slow outfield.  We would put Jose Reyes at shortstop and move Jhonny Peralta at third. This could be one of the best hitting infields in the league. Along with Peralta at third and Reyes at short, there would be a platoon of Ryan Raburn and Ramon Santiago at third, and of course all-star Miguel Cabrera at first. This is a perfect fit for the Tigers and put them over the edge as the American League Central favorites.

Detroit Tigers Free Agent Interests #2

                Along with the interest in Octavio Dotel and Aramis Ramirez, the Detroit Tigers have expressed interest in left handed veteran starting pitcher Mark Buehrle. Mark has played for the Chicago Whitesox for his career before hitting the free agent market this offseason in hopes of looking for a new team. 

                He is currently 32 years old and one of the highly demanded free agents this off season.  The Tigers are not the only team interested in him, the Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins, have reportedly met with Buehrle face-to-face. The Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are reportedly courting him, too. 

                I feel like Mark would be a huge pick up for the Tigers and not only boost the already best starting pitching rotation in baseball but make it almost the best in the history of baseball. It will definitely compete with the Philadelphia Phillies this season for that invisible accolade. 

                If the Detroit Tigers do pick up Mark Buehrle he will be the left handed arm they need in that staff. It will also bump Scherzer down to the #4 spot and allow them to put Porcello in the bullpen for when they do make the playoffs the following season. I feel if the Tigers make this move along with signing a reliever, then a leadoff second basemen, they are set for next season and have the team they need to win a championship.

Detroit Tigers Free Agent Interests

The Detroit Tigers and the MLB free agent season is about to get underway. There have been some news articles about various players the Tigers have seemed to express interest in and I will talk about them.

First, reliver Octavio Dotel who played for the St. Louis Cardinals. I feel this would solidify the Detroit Tigers bullpen and be the man we have hoped Ryan Perry could be for the past few years. Right now I feel the Tigers bullpen after Valverde and Benoit is very shaky. In my opinion though you cannot spend too much money on a reliever especially when we have other needs in the infield. If the Tigers can get him or around 4 million dollars a year that would be perfect.  The Tigers also have Al Alberquerque coming back next season healthy so if he can play like he did last year along with Valverde, Benoit, and an addition like Dotel they will have one of the best bullpens in the league.

                The Tigers have also expressed interest in third basemen Aramis Ramirez. This is a huge pick up and a bat that is needed for the Tigers but I am much more interested in a leadoff second basemen. If the Tigers can get a solid backup for Inge such as Betemit, or just set up a platoon of Inge and Betemit I feel the third base problems are solved, your only need is leadoff second basemen. I feel they should look into Kelly Johnson or Martin Prado of the Atlanta Braves to fill this roll. The Aramiz Ramirez interest in interesting though because if they can pick up that big of an upgrade at third it makes their lineup solid all the way through, then you could play someone such as Raburn at second base.