i last posted on december 4. i was really bummed that detroit had someone stolen both the D-train AND miguel cabrera from florida. my consternation has been lessened by the fact that various national media type still predict the indians will win the AL central! we are recognized as a powerhouse. our pitching overcomes the tigers BIG potential O. the tigers have too many question marks because of their D, their pen, their lack of depth in the minors, their old age (especially sheff, kenny, and jones). i had not considered these factors. they are very real concerns for detroit.

but we have our own concerns.

-can AC perform at that level all season offensively? i am doubtful. but i truly believe josh barfield will be there to return the favor and pick him up. as disappointing a season as josh experienced last year, it was his large amount of errors that alarmed me. so he must step it up in both aspects this year. i have nothing to go on but gut feeling.

-will fausto labor through a sophomore slump? i do not fear this. that sinker is too damn good. want proof? despite his career high in innings pitched last season / post season, fausto is NOT on a strict pitching regimen this spring like c.c. is. the reason: his pitch counts were always low. brandon webb has yet to falter. he did used to have problems with his control. i do not fear this of fausto either.

-i do fear jhonny yo yoing back to a disappointing '06 season. i do feel he could still improve in both areas too though. this just feels too much like wishful thinking.

-will casey blake maintain his level of defense at third? the dude of a beard scares me. i wish marte could hit ML pitching. i still think he can figure it out. once again, that sorta seems too much like wishful thinking.

-will the pen be as good? this is a big question. rafeal b did have a career year. doubtful he can even match his numbers of last year. rafael perez could also experience a sophomore slump. jansen might not be able to handle a full season. joe blow could do so at any time. this jap dude could be a joke. the top minor league option is mr shuffle ed mujica.

-everyone assumes pronk will return to form. i hope so, i hope so, i hope so. the ALCS playoff 'record' scares me.

-our minors is somewhat depleted, as alot of their players have become regulars up in cleveland. our top prospect adam miller never seems healthy.

-trot nixon is gone. he was huge for us this year. who will carry on his pie in the face antics this year?

these are all very real concerns. on the flip side, none of these scenarios seems disastrous. if all the above occur this season, it will be a bad one. the chance of that happening seems slim.

i love that everyone is there already. and a majority have been for awhile.

we now have jason tyner! jake westbrook cannot be happy. i heard he would have rather have given up 758.

i can't wait to see blake's beard!

pronk won his second consecutive fantasy football league. he won because paul byrd had no faith in his QB derek anderson, and dropped in the final, big game. byrd, o ye of faith.... pronk reminded his elder to keep the faith.

props to eric and kate on the birth of their second child, dalton.

interesting, buck showalter is has left the organization. i think he was a back up in waiting.

what is this about MAGIC MUD????

no one on our team is being implicated in the mitchell report! ok, paul byrd maybe?

baseball is back! and so is my optimism. and my excitement! it was only a matter of time :)