MLB detroit Tigers

Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2010.

The Detroit Tigers are in a unique position this offseason. They missed the playoffs in 2009 after blowing their division lead during the final weeks, and then losing a one-game playoff against the Twins in Minneapolis, but they remain one of the most talented teams in the AL Central. The question is how much of that talent will be back in 2010?

Dave Dombrowski and the Tigers are usually one of the more aggressive teams during the offseason in both the free agent market and with trades, and have no problem paying top dollar for players. Still, there's a lot of speculation that things will change this winter as the economy in Detroit is still causing problems. Some are saying that the Tigers are going to be selling off a lot of that talent this winter. So odds are that, either way, the team Tigers fans see on Opening Day in April could look a lot different than the one they saw in the Metrodome last October.

---

---

Editor's Note: FanHouse's Jeff Fletcher contributed to this report

CHICAGO -- The Reds' need to slash payroll, according to a major league source, could lead them to explore trading second baseman Brandon Phillips as well as right-handers Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang.

Cincinnati's 2009 payroll was about $71 million. General manager Walt Jocketty said during a break Tuesday at the GM Meetings that he "might" have to move some high-salaried players to meet the 2010 goal.

"We're going to probably have less to spend this year than we have in the past," Jocketty told FanHouse. "It just depends on how [ticket] sales go this offseason."

---

---

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Metrodome erupted in a jet-like roar as Carlos Gomez zoomed home with the winning run to finish off an AL Central race -- and a thrilling tiebreaker -- that didn't want to end.

Minnesota wouldn't quit, while the Detroit Tigers finished their historic fade. And there was little time for the Twins to celebrate, because the New York Yankees were waiting.

Alexi Casilla singled home the winning run with one out in the 12th inning and the Twins rallied for a 6-5 victory Tuesday night, completing a colossal collapse for the Tigers.

"This is the most unbelievable game I've ever played or seen," Twins shortstop Orlando Cabrera said.

For the third straight year, 162 games were not enough to complete the postseason. For the second straight year, the AL Central title and the Minnesota Twins are involved in the tiebreaker.

Minnesota's remarkable sprint to the finish was enough to catch the Tigers, who had a seven-game cushion exactly a month ago on Sept. 6. Lest you think that leaves Detroit in a fragile state as it heads to the Metrodome to determine the division champion once and for all, keep in mind it split with the Twins in a four-game series last week and its strength is starting pitching -- something which can take a team very far in October.

It's the Tigers' Rick Porcello against the Twins' Scott Baker for all the Central marbles. Here at MLB FanHouse, we're just getting warmed up for the month ahead. Join us after the jump for a wrapup of the chat that went from first pitch to final out of the one-game playoff.

---

---

If the Tigers are going to pop champagne, they will need help from someone who is not allowed to drink it.

Detroit will start 20-year-old Rick Porcello in Tuesday night's one-game playoff at Minnesota for the AL Central title. But Porcello has already shown he is far from an ordinary 20.

"Oof," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said recently. "He's a nice pitcher. He's just got really good stuff. He's got a great sinker, slider. And you know what, quick arm action. A little deception to him. His ball moves all over the place."

Porcello is 14-9 with a 4.04 ERA in 30 starts, and this will be his third start out of four against Minnesota, against whom he is 1-2 with a 3.09 ERA this year.

---

---

Miguel Cabrera's facial cuts are a mystery no more. After the Tigers' win Sunday night, police gave a full report on just how the Tigers' slugger got his wounds. He was apparently out late on Friday night/Saturday morning, came home drunk, and got into a fight with his wife, which resulted in a 911 call from his wife at 6 AM Saturday.

It gets worse; police came to Cabrera's house and picked the All-Star up and took him in for questioning, leaving Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski to pick him up from the station at 7:30 AM Saturday morning. Cabrera hasn't talked about the situation publicly, but it's safe to say that the rumors that the Tigers were upset with him are probably true.

Saturday night, the Tigers arrived at their ballpark for an incredibly important game against the White Sox, as they hoped to hold off the surging Twins for the AL Central title.

We now know the Tigers and Twins will meet Tuesday in Minnesota for a one-game playoff to determine the champ. What we don't know is how Tigers star Miguel Cabrera ended up with several cuts and scratches to his face.

If you take Cabrera's word for it, his dog worked him over. Many around Detroit don't seem to be willing to do so. There are rumors circulating among fans that Cabrera was scratched up by his girlfriend after they'd been drinking all night.

---

---

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- More than 51,000 fans and dozens of players from Metrodome lore turned out on Sunday to say goodbye to this big, dingy building after 28 weird, wacky and sometimes wonderful baseball seasons.

Hang on to those Homer Hankies: The Metrodome showed this weekend that it still has some of that old magic left and isn't ready to let the Minnesota Twins go just yet.

Jason Kubel got those familiar white towels waving with a pair of three-run homers and Minnesota beat Kansas City 13-4 Sunday, putting the Twins into a one-game playoff with the Detroit Tigers for the AL Central title.

"The place doesn't want to go away quietly yet," Kubel said.

---

---

Every Sunday, MLB FanHouse empties out its notebook in Baseball Brunch.

Ron Gardenhire was asked how teams try to pitch Joe Mauer.

"I can't give you all that information," Gardenhire, the Twins manager, said of his No. 3 hitter. "You'll write it and then other people might figure it out."

So you know, Ron, how to get him out?

"Hell, no, I don't! That's why I don't want to say anything.

Starting Five is our wrapup of the previous day's baseball action with a quick nod to what is ahead.

You Oughta Know ...
That the final day of the regular season has arrived and there are still two meaningful baseball games to be played. There would have been three if the Dodgers hadn't snapped their five-game losing streak by beating the Rockies, clinching the National League West and relegating the Rockies to the wild card.

Meanwhile, the Tigers kept sliding and the Twins kept climbing. Minnesota's 5-4 victory over Kansas City and Detroit's 5-1 loss to the White Sox left the two teams dead even. The Tigers had been alone in first since July 24.

If it's not settled on Sunday -- the Tigers host the White Sox at 1:05 PM ET and the Twins host the Royals at 2:10 PM ET -- the teams will meet on Tuesday at 5 PM ET at the Metrodome to determine who goes on and who goes home.

---

---