Detroit Tigers offseason plans

The Detroit Tigers finished the 2009 season losing to the Minnesota Twins in a one game playoff heartbreaker.What they do from here on out is anyone's guess.The Tigers really weren't that good last season and more than likely would've suffered the same fate as the Twins in the playoffs.The extra game or two would've brought more money to the organization but also served as false hope to Tigers fans.With the team losing money,being in what is termed a small market,and having to cut costs in a tough economy(especially in this region),this shapes up to be a critical offseason for the Tigers.

   Just this past week they had to let go of one of the better players,Placido Polanco,who signed with the Phillies.That move costs them in a number of ways.First he was a Gold Glove second baseman who clearly had his best years in Detroit.He signed a two year deal for about $6 million a year.Affordable yes,but not for the Tigers.If it wasn't for the ridiculous incentive laden,back loaded contract given to Magglio Ordonez they might not be in this position.Secondly,they have to give his position to rookie Scott Sizemore,who I may be wrong,suffered a broken leg.He should be back for spring training.Finally,since they did not offer arbitration to Polanco,they will receive no compensatory draft picks that they could definitely use.The Ordonez factor clearly hamstrings this team.They won't be a player in the free agent market and will be looking to remain competitive while going low budget.There have been rumblings about trading Curtis Granderson or Edwin Jackson.I would trade them only if the price is right or if they took on one of the pricey contracts of Nate Robertson or Dontrelle Willis.Highly unlikely,but its worth a try.They should try to find a few low cost free agents such as outfielder Austin Kearns,shortstop Khalil Greene,utilityman Bobby Crosby,pitchers Mark Mulder,Guillermo Mota and Jason Jennings among others.I really don't think the young guys in the farm system are ready to help,if they were they would be here right now.We'll have to see how everything unfolds and what kind of team they field for 2010.Either way it goes it might be a long season for Tigers fans. 

Kobe Bryant adds to his legend

This is why Kobe is widely regarded as the best in the league.

  

You too can be a champion

College basketball is getting a lot like college football.You ask how.I'll tell you.The College Basketball Invitational and the Collegeinsider.com tournament.Those are for the tournaments for teams that didn't make the NCAA or NIT.Its almost like an oversaturation of the college basketball postseason.The organizers of both tournaments say they do it more for the mid majors that were shut out of the NCAA or NIT.I personally think it's a bunch of bull.Hardly anyone knows either of these tournaments exist.Also if you have a losing record you can get a postseason experience via the CBI or CIT.So teams are now rewarded for finishing with a 15-16 record and possibly end it with a championship.I can understand trying to get some of the lesser knowns more exposure,but it seems more of a sham trying to squeeze more dollars out of college basketball fans.I love college basketball,but i won't be checking for that New Orleans/Idaho St. matchup come March.

The Hot Seat Vol.2

The college basketball season is barely two weeks old and one hot seat candidate has been given his walking papers.Dereck Whittenburg,formerly head coach of the Fordham Rams was fired yesterday after a 1-4 start.Fordham is not exactly a basketball factory and whoever gets the unenviable task of taking over this job will have a helluva time getting this program on the winning track.

Of course there are more coaches that need to make progress or face being unemployed.

Sidney Lowe,North Carolina State-Lowe's lifetime pass from 1983 is close to expiring.Being in a conference with traditonal heayweights like Duke and North Carolina makes it tougher for him to temper expectations in Raleigh.The best team he had on paper two years ago,failed to live up to the hype and the 15-33 record in ACC play doesn't help his cause.I think he needs at least an NIT appearance to keep his job.

Matt Doherty,SMU-SMU isn't a place where basketball is the number one option around there.I think it would be unwise to fire Doherty,but losing is making it easier for administrators to state their case against him.Being in Dallas I would think he would be able to get some decent talent there.I don't watch very much SMU basketball,so maybe they do have some talent that has yet to come around.If that's true will Doherty be around to coach it.

Tom Penders,Houston-He's not on any hot seat lists and this may be a surprise to many.Penders has had a few teams that should have made the Big Dance,but somehow managed to blow winnable late season games.This once proud program hasn't been there since the 1990's(can't remember which year it was) and I can imagine the big wigs in Cougar country are itching to get back there.I know all the better recruits in the state aren't going there,but he should be able to land a few of them.The juco's and lesser knowns just aren't getting it done.In my opinion they should be on par with with Memphis,well not exactly,but a least a notch below with all the talent coming out of the state of Texas.I don't know if he's not recruiting them or turned off the area coaches or what,but he needs a tournament appearance this year or he could be out.   

Frank reportedly out as Nets coach

New Jersey Nets head coach will reportedly coach his lats game tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers.The Nets have lost their first 16 games to open the season.Management wanted to give Frank more time since some of the team's key players such as Devin Harris and Courtney Lee were out.After seeing the Nets lose their most winnable game of their western road trip to the Sacramento Kings,management came to a decision that it would be best to let Frank go.

  I haven't watched much basketball so far this season,but perhaps it was time.Reports were that the team was playing uninspired basketball and that several players had tuned him out.At least management realized it wasn't all Frank's fault as they stood by him when most would have fired him a long time ago.Frank led the Nets to the playoffs three time,winning the Atlantic Division title twice.Some executives believe he could still land another head coaching job.Frank is a highly credible coach and did a good job keeping the Nets competitive in the ever improving Eastern Conference.The Nets probably needed a breath of fresh air,as the roster had changed from a primary veteran core to a young team with a lot of players that haven't been in longer than 5 years.

Here's to Fred McGriff

Fred McGriff is up for election to the baseball Hall of Fame.I know a lot will disagree with me but he should get in.His numbers weren't eye popping,but his production was always consistent.The "Crime Dog",was always among the league leaders in homers and rbi's but he could also hit for average.I know the Hall of Fame isn't for very good players.but I truly believe he belongs there.He quietly went about doing his damage and was a class act on and off the field.Just because he didn't join the 500 homer club,doesn't mean he wasn't an elite player.This man was a feared hitter and it would be ridiculous to exclude him from the Hall.He may not be first ballot,but he should get the call.

WTF? What kind of father is this?

A father in Indianapolis was charged with child neglect for leaving his son in a tractor trailer while he went inside a strip club to go drink.There's no father of the year trophies sitting on my mantel,but I can guarantee I have this guy beat.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091125/ap_on_fe_st/us_odd_father_arrested_strip_club