Detroit Tigers

Barring major spring training injuries, the 2014 Detroit Tigers profiled as the team to beat in the American League Central. Yet, if Jose Iglesias—last year's AL Rookie of the Year candidate—misses significant time, the Tigers actually could be an even bigger lock to reach the postseason.

I've been referring to the blockbuster that the Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers pulled off in November as "the Prince Fielder trade." Beyond having a nice ring to it, it's struck me as appropriate to name the deal after its principal component.

The Detroit Tigers have won three straight American League Central titles, as they have sandwiched ALCS eliminations around an AL pennant in 2012 that saw them swept by the San Francisco Giants in the World Series.

While there haven’t been many trades this offseason that involved high-profile prospects, teams have been quietly filling holes on their respective 25- and 40-man rosters with under-the-radar deals for displaced prospects.

Ernie Banks. Pete Rose. Rod Carew. Robin Yount. Paul Molitor.

The common thread may seem obvious—they’re all Hall of Famers (with the exception of Rose, of course). But there’s something else that ties them together, and it’s something that may end up being very relevant to your Detroit Tigers.

The Detroit Tigers were linked to seemingly every "proven closer" under the sun last winter. In the end, general manager Dave Dombrowski moved to acquire none of them.

The closer search is on again this winter. This time, however, it sounds like Dombrowski sees a guy he actually likes: Brian Wilson.

Anyone remember the ALCS this year?

Anybody?

If you do remember, your memory is that it was a very, very close series. It sounds silly, but it was probably the closest series ever that didn’t go to seven games.

You’ll also remember the Detroit Tigers blowing the series because of their bullpen. That bullpen needs help if the Tigers want to finally win a World Series. Here are four relievers they should sign.

Max Scherzer is on the verge of winning the American League Cy Young Award. Is he also on the verge of being traded?

The starting rotation of the Detroit Tigers is one of the best in baseball. It had the most wins (76), the lowest ERA (3.44) and the least homers allowed in the American League last season while leading the majors in innings pitched and strikeouts.

The Tigers made history last year. The kind of history that isn’t exactly headline worthy.

Somewhat akin to the Buffalo Bills in the 1990s, Detroit became the sixth baseball team to make three straight League Championship Series appearances without winning a ring during that time.