When the Tigers take the field to battle the Yankees at Joker Marchant Stadium this afternoon, a couple old friends will be suited up to face them. The Yankees are bringing former Tigers Marcus Thames and Curtis Granderson when they make the trip from Tampa.
Thames, who originally came up with New York, returned to the Yankees on a minor league deal this offseason and is fighting to make the team. With Granderson, Brett Gardner, Nick Swisher, and Randy Winn already assured of spots in the outfield, it may take an injury for Marcus to go North with the club. Fortunately for him, Nick [...]

While I was pouring over MLB Trade Rumors this morning, I found a link to a blog called Monozygotic, which is written by twin brothers, obviously. They put together a comprehensive list of all non-roster invitees for the 2010 Spring Training camps of each team. It is impressive work.
Non-roster invitees are always an interesting group. There are young players that are getting their first looks from the major league staff, journeymen still trying to establish themselves as big league talents, and always a few veterans trying to catch on with yet another team, looking for one last season in the sun.
Upon scouring [...]

Jon Heyman of SI.com and MLB Network tweeted that the Yankees have struck again, this time nabbing another former Tiger favorite in Marcus Thames.
Thames signed a minor league deal that will pay him $900,000 if he makes the major league club this year. Thames originally made it to the majors with the Yankees back in 2002, when he famous homered in his first big league at bat, an at bat that came against Randy Johnson.
The past six years in Detroit, Thames established himself as a streaky power threat. Although he has never been given even 400 plate appearances in any one season, [...]

MLB.com’s Jason Beck passed along the information via twitter today that the Tigers have removed DH Marcus Thames and catcher Matt Treanor from the 40 man roster.
 
Thames and Treanor had been rumored to be non-tender candidates in December, but the team had to make some moves to trim the roster down prior to the rule 5 draft.  Both players will become free agents.
 
Thames had a disappointing 2009 season with just 13 homers in 258 at bats.  His .453 slugging percentage was his lowest since 2005.  With the tighter budget constraints likely to face the Tigers and a rotation of Carlos Guillen, [...]

Detroit (78-68) at Minnesota (74-72)
Season Series: Twins lead 7-4
At Metrodome: Twins lead 5-1
 
As the Tigers get set to battle the Twins this weekend in Minnesota, I thought it would be a good time to take a deeper look at the Twins and the possible challenges the present.  Former AL MVP Justin Morneau has been lost for the season, and Tiger Killer Joe Crede is out as well.  Does this news mean the Tigers will waltz home with a series win, or are there new Tiger Killers on the horizon?
 
Starting Pitchers
 
The Tigers will throw Rick Porcello, Justin Verlander, and Nate Robertson [...]

Detroit 5, Kansas City 7 ( box)
Magic Number 19
 
Maybe Jim Leyland could see this one coming.  With the Tigers clinging to a 3-2 lead with two outs in the top of the fifth inning last night, Marcus Thames drew a walk to load the bases.  Leyland immediately sent Curtis Granderson out to run for Thames.  Aubrey Huff then singled in two to give the Tigers a three run lead.
 
The move to lift Thames for Granderson was designed to improve the outfield defense.  Ryan Raburn had started in center, flanked by Thames and Magglio Ordonez.  With Granderson coming in, Raburn shifted [...]

Detroit 3, Oakland 2 (box)
 
The Tigers began their quest for road success with a trip to Oakland for a three game weekend set.  Edwin Jackson got the ball for the Tigers and impressed.  Desipte some sloppy defense, the Tigers held off the A’s for the 3-2 win in the series opener.
 
Jackson (10-5) bcame the third Tigers hurler to win 10 games this season, joining Justin Verlander and Rick Porcello.  He needed 104 pitches to get through the sixth inning, but he allowed just six hits and two runs, while fanning five during his outing.
 
Gio Gonzalez racked up some big strikeout [...]

Saturday: Kansas City 3, Detroit 10 (box)
Sunday: Kansas City 3, Detroit 2 (10 innings) (box)
 
I like to sleep in on Sundays, so I didn’t get around to doing a recap for Saturday night’s game until just about time for the first pitch on Sunday.  For that reason, I decided to post both recaps at the same time today.  We’ll call it a weekend recap.
 
The Tigers’ offense has been anything but consistent for much of the season.  These past two games showed that inconsistency.  On Saturday, The Tigers pounded out 10 runs on 16 hits.  They chased Kansas City starter Luke Hochevar [...]