If the Detroit Tigers struggle and nobody's there to see it, does it really happen?
Find out at an empty Comerica Park near you in 2010.
With the moves made on Tuesday, the Tigers all but clinched a wasted campaign next season in the hopes of turning things around a few years out.
In this economy, count on fans in Detroit to sit this one out as the franchise goes through yet another rebuilding process.
I understand the thinking. The Tigers knew they couldn't contend for a title without making some upgrades, but were bogged down with a number of bad contracts that make dealing impossible. So, they began the fire sale, decided to give up a few years to clear the books and hopefully develop some of the talent they just received.
Just don't try to sell this as anything less than a cost-cutting move. And don't be upset when the fans go away for a while.
I'd be surprised if Detroit is done selling this off-season. In fact, I hope they make a few more moves. Get some prospects for Miguel Cabrera. See if somebody has interest in Gerald Laird. Beyond Justin Verlander, I'd shop every player on the roster.
It is what it is. The Tigers are going to lose games and fans over the next couple of seasons. The bandwagon will pick up them up again a few years down the road.
