Justin Verlander News

Every year around spring training, analysts make their season predictions. There are always a few teams that get too much undeserving love.

Many variables with come into play when determining the final group of teams to play in October, but for now, these are the clubs that have the pieces in place to contend this season.

No. 6 Tigers : 25th in a series counting down to spring training . Next: Diamondbacks.

You're a Tigers fan, and as spring training nears, you're feeling a tad cocky. The Tigers could be scary good and freakishly dangerous.

But news that the 240-pound All-Star is 92.5% of the man he was last season? That's news.

Baseball is a sport that is tough to predict, as almost anyone can be a stud one year, while being a complete dud the next.

Sometime in the first half of March, when spring training begins to feel a bit like Groundhog Day, expect Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel to make an announcement that will hold less suspense than an intentional walk.

The closer the Tigers get to Spring Training, the more likely it appears they'll look to their farm system for their fifth starter.

Consider this before handing the Detroit Tigers the AL Central crown: What happens if the Cleveland Indians' Ubaldo Jimenez pitches like he did in the first half of 2010? Less than two years have passed since Jimenez enjoyed his half-season run as the game's top starter.

The Tigers may lack depth in their farm system, but they have plenty of talented young players with the big league club such as Brennan Boesch.

Tigers ace Justin Verlander is competitive as they come - on the mound, on the golf course, and apparently with video games, too.

Tigers 'most likely set,' but still are pursuing Yoenis Cespedes - The Detroit News, Tom Gage Patrick mentioned this article briefly yesterday, but Dave Dombrowski said that the Tigers are "most likely set" when asked about the roster going into Spring Training.

First, he schooled opposing hitters in such dominating fashion that he was rewarded with not just with the American League's Cy Young award, but also the MVP.

When the Tigers signed Prince Fielder , they surrendered their first round draft pick to the Milwaukee Brewers as compensation.

The teaser shows Verlander striking out a recently promoted prospect at Comerica Park, followed by a screenshot: "Welcome to the majors, Rook." 2K Sports announced Verlander as its cover athlete around the same time he was honored as AL Cy Young winner, then later MVP.

That theme especially holds true during the playoffs, where the "best of" format focuses more on top of the rotation starters.

Happy Groundhog Day! A Pitchers and catchers report to Ft. Myers in just 16 days, no groundhog, or his shadow, can change that.

ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV has chosen Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander as the station's 2011 Newsmaker of the Year.

The title is basically in reference the the 2011 Fiesta Bowl end game which ended with a field goal.

Jayson Stark has all kinds of Detroit Tigers tidbits in his recent Rumblings and Grumblings column.