I realize the Tigers haven't been good in a long time, and I may be a bit premature to talk about future seasons instead of basking in the glory of first place right now, but I think this squad can contend for a long time given the right moves. So for those who like to speculate like I do, what do you see as key moves in the next offseason or two?

Most of our team is still under contract for next season. The most prominant name that isn't would be Dmitri Young.

For me (unless he signed an extension I don't know about) I would like to see Sean Casey brought in. Big strong lefty bat at DH. I think that's the biggest hole on the team.

Any other moves might be made simply to take advatage of all the talent on the FA market next season and prepare for the future a bit. Example, while there isn't a hole in our starting pitching, Rogers is old and only on a 2-year contract. So should we pass up all the big names when it might be difficult to get another one the following year?

I think we're set in the bullpen for the post-Jones era because Zumaya and Rodney are studs. I'm confidant in several other arms we have in there as well.

What are your thoughts?

By the way, here's a site for free agents:
http://www.mlb4u.com/0607FA.html

We need to hit the market for pitchers after this season is over. This group has been amazing so far, but like you said, Rogers is in his last stint, and I'm not sure Maroth can keep this up. We still have Robertson, Bonderman and Verlander. And I wouldn't wait until Rogers retires... I would be proactive and get someone in here if we have the chance to land a good pitcher.

Casey would be a good pickup, but I think we need a good left fielder. I think that would be an area for upgrade. Monroe is a good defender, not too good with the bat. If we could get a left fielder that hits near .300 and didn't give up too much in the field, we would be set for a long time.

In terms of age or injuries, I think we'd have to look at SS with Guillen needing a backup in a couple of years, Rogers should be fine for another couple and we'll have Zoom to plug in there. And at some point we need a younger catcher. Pudge is amazing, but year after year behind that plate has to take its toll.

I'm amped about the Tigs after another great win last night.

Yeah, this team isn't really built for a long run of a few years, it really has only a two-three year window unless we add some more pieces. Like has been said, Pudge is going to need to be replaced, and Guillen hasn't had the best health history.

I'm not a big fan of Sean Casey, he just doesn't have enough pop in his bat for my tastes for the price. I'm not saying that I endorse it, but I could see them looking at a Cliff Floyd if he can prove healthy this year. He's a lefty bat who can play left field.

Ok, here's an amazing offseason for you:
Mark Mulder (sorry Glenn, I had to go there)
Carlos Lee
Aubrey Huff

Mulder gives us another pitcher that can dominate, plus he's a good age. Experienced but still with several good years ahead of him.
Lee gives us that LF with decent average and plenty of pop.
Huff gives us a lefty that can play 1B, 3B or DH with decent average and power.
I would have liked Melvin Mora as a utility IF that could play pretty much any IF position, but he just signed an extension 2 days ago.

The only other name (besides pitching) that keeps drawing my attention is Posada. But there must be a young emerging catcher somewhere. We certainly don't have much in the farm system (though Rabelo and Robinson are leading Erie and Lakeland respectively in batting average). I'm not a Max St. Pierre fan at all.

That's the other thing, we have some players finally developing in the system, pitching heavy, so how do they figure in? Seems a lot of the position players are under-achieving so far.

Our pitching is just fine. When Kenny Rogers leaves, we can just replace him with Zumaya. Johan Santana(and a few other priminent pitchers) went from LR to SP so why can't Zumaya? Zumaya moving into the rotation won't hurt our bullpen at all since we're already pretty damn deep(Jamie Walker is pretty damn good and he RARELY plays). Bonderman/Maroth/Verlander/Zumaya/Bonderman is a great LONG TERM rotation.

All I really want in the near future is a outfielder with speed, a backup 3B, a DH and catcher.

I personally think that this team should rely more on internal progress than FA acqusitions to improve the team.

And for once, they are in a position to do so.

All I really want in the near future is a outfielder with speed, a backup 3B, a DH and catcher.

DH definately and a catcher and I'd actually like to go after a stud 3rd baseman and maybe let Inge do the utility thing.

But the outfielder with speed is Grandy. He has it all. Mags is slow but all he has to do is guard the line, with Grany's speed in the alleys. Same with Monroe. And Monroe's bat usually wins us a few games all by itself.

The Kid would be nice for a DH right about now, wouldn't he?