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ROB SANFORD

The 2010 season is history....81-81. To start the year I always felt there were too many questions marks with the Tigers for them to win the division. The situation at 2nd base....the starting pitching....an uncertain bullpen all concerned me going in. The Minnesota Twins somehow find the way to win...even while I don't feel like they have the best personnel in the Central. I think the White Sox have a better offensive line up, at least the potential for it. While this year is a disappointment..there is hope for the future. Many of the rookies called up this season showed that some have a future in the major leagues.

The Rooks

Brennan Boesch...After a fast start, he cooled off big time and even had trouble making contact. I think he needs more plate disapline because he has the power to be an offensive factor. I also think could be attractive trade bait.

Casper Wells....He has impressed me. He plays better than average defense and has shown he can spray the ball to all fields.

Don Kelly....A very useful utility player, who showed some pop in the final couple of weeks of the season

Danny Worth.....Another impressive player. He's a hard nose type, who brings a decent glove and bat. It's only too bad his injury forced him out early...it makes it tough to make any conclusions about next year.

Robbie Weinhardt.....He had some rocky outings in relief...but did show he could get batters to hit it on the ground and into double plays.

Will Rhymes....I really like what he brings to the table.  He's a pretty decent 2nd baseman, and while he doesn't have much power, he does handle the bat well. As for his speed, he's among the fastest who wore the Old English "D" this season.

Vets.....

Carlos Guillen....Don't count on him at all. He's a frequent flyer on the disabled list and can't seem to stay healthy. If' he's not over the hill....he can see from where he stands.

Jhonny Peralta....I'm glad the Tigers want him back. He brings a veteran presense to the clubhouse and has some run production to the infield.

Brandon Inge...As I have said many times on these pages. Brandon saves more runs from being scored than he does drive them in. For that alone, he remains valuable.

Ryan Rayburn.....Showed he can hit when he gets enough at-bats. He has no judgement on flyballs and line drives....but has a big arm.

Johnny Damon...Not as productive as hoped, but did make some positive contributions.

Gerald Laird.....He was never really healthy this season. I think he was hampered by his bad back, but it doesn't surprise me he's being shown the door.

Miguel Cabrera....What can I say??? HE IS THE MAN. The proof in the pudding is the fact the Tigers won only one more  game after he twisted his ankle and was out for the final week.

Starting Pitchers....Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello are solid for next season. I would be surprised if Jeremy Bonderman and Armando Galarraga come back next season.

Bullpen.......

I still don't think Joel Zumaya will ever be the pitcher long term that everyone had hoped after his rookie season.

As for the others....I say good bye to Figaro and Perry.

Looking at the post season.....I say the Philedelphia Phillies are the best bet to repeat.