.285 ave? Sounds good to me.

With Renteria, our need for a utility infielder goes down.

Neifi will be back next year too, right? (uggh)

Los Tigres re-sign Jonesie. Guess they had to after the Zumaya thing.


ESPN - Tigers keep closer Jones - MLB

Neifi is gone. We still have Santiago to fill in from time to time. Also, if push comes to shove, Guillen could play a few games at the SS with Thames at 1B.
Jones is a solid lef-handed bat. He should do just fine in this batting order. I wouldn't expect the power numbers to come up much, especially with games being at CoPa, but I'd guess Tigers should count on 10-15 dingers.

This guy might fit in real well considering that the CoPa is more of doubles and triples park. He gets a lot of doubles. He could be Guillen Lite.

By the way, Zoom should give Tigers a discount (if he is healthy to play) after they had to overpay for Jonesy due to Zoom's injury.

List of top 50 free agents. Not much starting pitching in there and what is in there is old or mediocre.

ESPN - Law: Top 50 free agents - MLB

I'll be interested to see who the Tigers' starting 5 is next season. I get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach when I think about it. I hope Rogers walks. Maybe they could get Glavine as a replacement if they want that veteran presence. Also, Carlos Silva (Twins) is a free agent.

Here is the email I got from a die hard Cubs fan/ buddy of mine... for what it's worth.

Here is why Jones sucks:
1) He never hits when you need it
2) Had more groundouts than any 2 players combined
3) Went from 20 to 30 HR's to 8 (drug testing)
4) Complains when the fans get on him for sucking
5) He swings at everything
6) Can't move a runner over...hits into double plays...ruins any potential rally
7) He thinks he's awesome even when his #'s don't show it
He plays a good outfield though...woopadee-doo.

__________________
"I’ll just say this: We’re not talking to teams about their second- or third-best players." Joe Dumars talking about his plan to get other teams' 4th best players.

I'm sure Dombrowski had scouts do all the DD on the guy.
The risk is low since the contract expires after this upcoming season and Cubs are picking up part of it anyhow.
Tigers don't need homeruns as much they need doubles to drive runners in, we get enough runners on
Tigers need a left-handed bat

I still think it is a good idea, but it's good to get a reality check from someone who has watched him a ton.

I guess the Cubs fans were really getting on this guy.

He's was like their Flip Murray.

It is difficult to compare, but I would argue that .285 batting average would equal 12-15 ppg. And the guy also had 33 doubles and struck out only 70 times. You also have to consider the team he had around him. It is kind of difficult to drive people in when they are not on base. Murray had good players surround him. I would argue that it is different, but it doesn't matter. It will all come out when the games begin.