Paul Wezner, Senior Editor
The Tigers have quite a few positions where they could use help, but at the end of the day, the Tigers need to have more production out of their first baseman. Chris Shelton had a great first month, and Sean Casey produced in the World Series, but that doesn't change the fact that the Tigers' first basemen combined for an OPS under .800, completely unacceptable for a power position. There aren't any top flight first basemen out on the market, which likely means the Tigers are going to have explore the trade market to find the needed upgrade.
Mark Anderson, Associate Editor, Minor Leagues
I think it's blatantly apparent that the Tigers need to do something drastic at either first base, or designated hitter. The offense generated (sans the first four weeks of the season) from those two positions, was well below average, and we don't produce enough at some of the other positions to compensate for this deficiency. They don't necessarily need to fill the void at both spots, but upgrading one of the two in a significant manner is absolutely essential to this team even approaching their 2006 success. If the Tigers are able to acquire a slugger to fill one of those two voids, they should be able to remain in the race atop of the AL Central. Without that acquisition, I don't see it happening. Get to work DD, and pull in that slugger that we so desperately need!
Jason Avery, Associate Editor, Amateur Baseball
I think the one spot the Tigers will look to upgrade is at first base. Chris Shelton went from MVP candidate in April to the minor leagues by August, and it looks like he is on the outside looking in. The Tigers traded for Sean Casey, and even though he had a great postseason, he has had a history injuries and his numbers over the last two years aren't what a team would want out of a starter. There isn't much available in free agency, and that's why the rumor mill has already been in overdrive with the Jeremy Bonderman-for-Mark Teixeira talk. The Tigers could also look at acquiring a shortstop (Miguel Tejada?) and slide Carlos Guillen to first, but I think that would only come as a last resort.
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