Both Tigers manager Jim Leyland and general manager Dave Dombrowski have hinted this off season that pitchers Ryan Perry and Rick Porcello - the Tigers’ last two No. 1 draft choices - are closer to the major leagues than many believe.
I think they are on the right track with such thoughts because of what has transpired in the Tigers’ recent past.
In the spring of 2006, both Joel Zumaya and Justin Verlander were viewed as long shots to make the team for opening day. Deciding to keep both to begin the season might have been the most important decision Leyland made that entire pennant winning season.
Porcello is 20 - the same age as Zumaya in the spring of ‘06. Perry will be 22 opening day- the same age as Verlander in ‘06.
Zumaya came out of the high school ranks, Verlander the college ranks, also mirroring Porcello and Perry.
And, if anything, Porcello and Perry were more polished as amateur pitchers than Zumaya and Verlander.

Random Thoughts

- The Pistons aren’t playing that poorly overall, but they sure haven’t been able to close games. And don’t believe for a second the trade rumors aren’t hindering the play of Rodney Stuckey. They clearly have been.

- Now that’s the Henrik Zetterberg this town has come to know and love.

- Seems to me like Alex Rodriguez only came clean about steroid use because he understands the ramifications had he lied. Look at what not telling the truth has done for Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. Their alleged lies, not actually taking performance enhancing substances, is what has them in such legal hot water.