[enemy Lines]

an opposing team's scout sizes up the Tigers

With the addition of Roger Cede�o, the Tigers' new philosophy is to win with speed and defense, but to do that you'd better have good pitching—and they have mediocre pitching. This club is caught in-between. Brian Moehler and Dave Mlicki are middle-of-the-rotation guys....

With their bullpen they're fine with Todd Jones and C.J. Nitkowski. Setup man Matt Andersen is getting better, but with that live arm he qualifies as a disappointment. There are a lot of innings that have to be picked up by people who are mediocre....

In the infield Tony Clark has not swung the bat well all spring after another down year, Damion Easley is a solid player, and Deivi Cruz is getting stronger with the bat, but he has little range. Dean Palmer has throwing problems because of his ailing shoulder....

Mitch Meluskey is an offensive catcher, and I'm betting those pitchers are missing Brad Ausmus already. That's a big downgrade defensively....

Wendell Magee and Billy McMillon are decent outfielders, but is one of them going to emerge with 30 home runs? I don't see it....

Palmer and Bobby Higginson better hit 30 to 35 home runs apiece because this team has no other power. There are seven clubs that will score more than 900 runs, and Detroit can't hit with them and its pitching can't hold them down....

The other problem they have is leadership. Where is it coming from?

...This team will scuffle to win 70 games. You might see Minnesota go by them in the AL Central.