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It's been more than a week since Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson were traded, and probably too late to write about it now. But while scrolling through the Tigersosphere's varied thoughts and lamentations, I realized I hadn't really expressed my feelings about the whole situation. I mostly just passed along what had happened, and let you guys take it from there.

Considering, however, that I once wrote that Curtis Granderson was the face of the Detroit Tigers franchise (ESPN.com still has it online; just click on the Tigers logo), I thought I should probably respond to him being traded.

First, here's what I wrote, back in 2007:

For the face of their team, some Detroit Tigers fans might choose a player who persevered with the team during those really bad years, but can now revel in its success. Others might prefer one who joined the Tigers at their lowest point after having achieved success elsewhere.

But I like a guy who symbolizes the newfound prosperity of baseball in Detroit, whose performance has shown that the fans can actually believe the organization when it says this player is going to be good.

He might draw his loudest cheers when blazing around the bases for a triple or making a smooth, assured catch in the outfield. But Curtis Granderson also evokes love and respect from Detroit fans for striving to be something more than just a ballplayer. Because of that effort, and the promise of more to come, Granderson represents the Detroit Tigers like no other player.

If you'd told me on October 7, following the Tigers' loss to the Twins in the AL Central tiebreaker, that Granderson (and Jackson) wouldn't be a part of next year's team, I'd have made a face and told you to do something inappropriate (and possibly illegal) to yourself. No way. Especially Granderson.

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More photos » by Elise Amendola - AP

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Last week, reliever Freddy Dolsi was designated for assignment to trim excess from the Detroit Tigers' 40-man roster. And now, Dolsi's career with the Tigers is officially finished, after he was claimed on waivers by the Chicago White Sox.

Dolsi posted a 1.69 ERA in 10.2 innings with the Tigers this year, pitching in nine games. (Compare that to 2008, when he appeared in 42 games.) His last appearance for Detroit may have sealed his fate, as he gave up three hits and three walks in just 1.1 innings versus the Red Sox.

Any chance Dolsi comes back to haunt the Tigers, now that he'll be with a division rival?

More photos » by Duane Burleson - AP

Kelvim Escobar pitched at Comerica Park for the Angels back in June. Could he be wearing the Old English D next time he's in Detroit?

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According to various reports, the Detroit Tigers were one of 10 teams who watched pitcher Kelvim Escobar throw yesterday. (Here is Jon Paul Morosi's Tweet on the story. Efrain Zavarce, who writes for the Venezuelan newspaper El Nacional, originally posted this news.)

Escobar pitched in only one game for the Los Angeles Angels this year, after missing the entire 2008 season with a torn labrum in his right shoulder. In that start (which happened to be against the Tigers at Comerica Park), Escobar allowed two runs and four hits in five innings, and struck out five.

But he also walked four batters, which indicated that his recovery wasn't quite complete. Sure enough, the injured shoulder gave Escobar problems soon thereafer and he was shut down for the rest of the season.

In 2007, Escobar had what could arguably be called a breakthrough season, compiling an 18-7 record and 3.40 ERA in 30 starts (195.2 innings) for the Angels. In 2002, he posted a 38-save season while with the Blue Jays, but he's been pitching as a starter ever since then. But he's now a pitcher who's played only once in the past two seasons.

Last year, Escobar made $9.5 million in the final year of a three-year, $28.5 million contract.

(via MLB Trade Rumors)

More photos » by David J. Phillip - AP

Mike Gonzalez got $12 million on the free agent market. How much can Fernando Rodney expect to find now?

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If the Detroit Tigers weren't already thinking that they should make an inside hire for next year's closer job, Mike Gonzalez and the Baltimore Orioles gave them another reason to strongly consider it.

Gonzalez agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal with the O's on Wednesday. The $6 million annual salary exceeds the $5 million Brandon Lyon will receive as part of his $15 million contract with the Astros. Incentives could push the contract's value up to $16 million, according to Yahoo! Sports' Tim Brown.

After fighting injuries the past two seasons, Gonzalez pitched in 80 games for the Atlanta Braves this year. He struck out 90 batters and walked 33 in 74.1 innings, also notching 10 saves and a 2.42 ERA.

Meanwhille, Fernando Rodney is still out there, waiting for a team to meet his price. Three years, $30 million? Even the Orioles, who reportedly had Rodney at the top of their closer shopping list, thought that was too much.

And what's the market for closers now? The number of teams in need of one is getting smaller. The Tigers are obviously on that list, though may be priced into looking at an in-house option. The Diamondbacks say they want to sign one. The Cubs, perhaps, if they don't think Carlos Marmol can cut it. The Nationals? The Pirates (who brilliantly non-tendered Matt Capps)?

Rodney and Jose Valverde are looking to cash in. And Capps might be the most attractive choice for teams hoping to avoid the big-money, multi-year deals those top free agent closers are seeking. Will prices begin to drop as openings continue to shrink? Or will teams eventually get a bit desperate and meet those demands?

Meanwhile, does Joel Zumaya or Ryan Perry look more attractive as the Tigers' closer next year, in light of the contracts free agent closers have been signing this winter?

More photos » by Paul Sancya - AP

The Detroit Tigers will have Ramon Santiago capably backing up at shortstop and second base for the next two seasons, as he signed a two-year, $2.5 million deal on Wednesday.

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With Placido Polanco moving along to the Philadelphia Phillies, and rookie Scott Sizemore set to break in at second base next year, the Detroit Tigers probably needed as much stability in their middle infield as they could get. They got started on that last week by re-signing shortstop Adam Everett. And now, both second base and shortstop will once again be backed up dependably, as Ramon Santiago has agreed to a new contract with the team.

Santiago signed a two-year, $2.5 million deal. This also prevents him from having to go through salary arbitration for a new contract with the Tigers (along with free agency after next season).

This year, Santiago batted.267/.318/.385 with seven home runs and 35 RBIs, both career-highs. Perhaps it's not a coincidence that he achieved those numbers in 296 plate appearances (93 games), the second-highest total of his career. He's not Everett or Polanco with the glove, according to metrics such as UZR, but he gives the Tigers dependable defense at those positions, which is pretty much the main requirement for Jim Leyland.

The question with Santiago among many Tigers fans has been whether or not he's capable of being the full-time shortstop. Leyland and Dave Dombrowski have stated their belief that Santiago would wear down under the rigors of a full 162 games. Understandably, fans see the numbers Santiago puts up in limited time, along with a valuable left-handed bat, and wonder what he could do with more plate appearances. But has he been that successful because Leyland uses him correctly?

We may never know the answer to that question, barring an injury to one of the starting middle infielders. But having Santiago around for the next two years should leave those positions in good hands, while the Tigers try to break in some new blood up the middle.

(Thanks to allikazoo for first posting this news in a FanShot)

  With the demise of MVN, many have wondered what will happen to Roar of the Tigers, Samara Pearlstein's fantastically illustrated blog. Thankfully for us all, Sam will keep on trucking, and has moved RotT to a Wordpress site. You can find the new address here, and check out the Floating Head Raft of Tigers.

(I also feel the need to point out - whether Sam would prefer me to or not - that her self-portrait is less than flattering. I always admire an illustrator/cartoonist willing to portray themselves as flawed, but Sam isn't being fair to herself, as funny as the image may be.)

  As the smoke still clears from last week's roster upheaval, Tiger Tales' Lee Panas looks at where the Detroit lineup, rotation, and bullpen stand right now. Left and center field are question marks, as are the final two spots in the rotation.

  Whenever the Tigers make a deal involving Edwin Jackson, D-Town Baseball is on it. After a year-long absence from the Tigersosphere (since the Tigers acquired Jackson from the Rays), Eric Jackson (no relation, I assume) posted some thoughts on the big deal. Eric's in favor of the trade, and lists four reasons why.

  Kelly Johnson is one of the non-tendered players that's drawn much interest among Tigers fans. Dan Wade took a look at him for Baseball Digest Daily, and expects his batting average to bounce back in 2010. His walk rate and defense are concerns, however.

(Hat tip to The Detroit Tigers Weblog)

  Tigers Tracks' "By the Numbers" series has reached Number 9. And with that comes the first current Tiger on John Parent's list. Next year's presumed left fielder, Carlos Guillen, gets profiled.

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About a week after the big trade that sent Curtis Granderson off to the Yankees, many Tigers fans still have questions and reservations about the players Detroit received in return. In the past, we've talked to our buddy jscape2000 from our SB Nation brother site Pinstripe Alley when the Tigers and Yankees cross paths on the field or transaction wire. So he volunteered to provide some thoughts on Austin Jackson and Phil Coke:

Phil Coke: As I told Halos Heaven before the ALCS: The good news is that Phil Coke has a nasty slider.  The bad news is that it's a breaking ball, and anyone who throws a breaking ball 25% of the time is bound to hang one eventually (1.5 HR/9). 

Despite the high homerun rate and the high profile homers he gave up in the 8th inning of Game 5 of the World Series, I still have faith that Coke can be an important part of a major league bullpen.  You can't hit him (44H in 60IP), so as long as he keeps his walks down, his high strikeout rate makes him a weapon.

Austin Jackson is a very good centerfield prospect, lacking only a cannon arm of the five tools.  While I didn't get to see him play this year, when I've seen him in the past he reminded me of Derek Jeter, lunging into the ball.  Unlike Jeter, it apparently is leaving some big holes in his swing (123K in 132G). 

Despite that, he still hit .300/.354/.405 in AAA, very productive numbers from a 22 year old centerfielder.  Don't be alarmed by his lack of power - I used to live in Scranton where the Yanks' AAA team is, and that minor league park is a pitcher's park- high wall and deep alleys.  In Comerica, he'll put his speed to good use.

He's got great range- he's not top flight fast, but he takes very good routes.  On the basepaths, he's developed good instincts (124 SB, 35 CS, 78%). 

A two-sport high schooler, he's improved at each level as his baseball intelligence builds.  I would probably start him at AAA and make him the first outfielder up, but I can see a scenario where he breaks with the team out of camp.

I don't know if this affects anyone's opinion of the trade or perception of what Detroit received in return, but it's a viewpoint from someone who's seen more of Jackson and Coke than most Tigers fans. (I get the feeling the Yankees are happier with Granderson, though.)

With the Winter Meetings last week, there wasn't much chance to talk about the BYB Holiday Meet-Up. (Plus, the original FanPost got shuffled off the front page.) But it's happening, and if you're going to be in the southeastern Michigan area around Christmas, hopefully you can join us.

The Meet-Up is scheduled for Saturday, December 26 at 1 p.m. We'll be meeting at Mexican Village in Detroit. (Here's the Google Maps information, courtesy of DetroitChik.)

Other plans might include heading over to Comerica Park for some photos, or perhaps the State Bar, across from the ballpark.

If you're planning on attending, it would probably help to leave a comment with this post. Or e-mail me. Same goes for if you have any questions. I might not have answers for you, but DetroitChik or NCDee might be able to help you. (If your question concerns what kind of food the restaurant serves, I suggest you refer to the name of the restaurant.)

Thank you, Happy Holidays, and hopefully a few of us can meet up in Detroit after Christmas.