The Detroit Tigers have agreed on a minor-league contract with LHP Aaron Fultz, who was released by the Cleveland Indians on Friday, after a poor spring. Fultz went 4-3 with a 2.92 ERA in 2007 with the Indians. He is expected to start the season in Triple-A Toledo. During his 8 year career, Fultz has pitched for the Indians, Rangers, Phillies, Twins and Giants.

AL Central: Predictions

1. Detroit 101-61*
2. Cleveland 100-62+
3. Chicago 81-81
4. Minnesota 69-93
5. Kansas City 62-100

*Division Winner       +Playoff Qualifyer

Outlook:

As a diehard Detroit Tigers fan for my entire life, it can be assumed I am looking forward to this season. I believe the moves that Dave Dombrowski made during the Winter, really put together a team that should have very few problems getting in the playoffs. Now the bullpen is a bit shaky to begin with. Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya are going to start the season on the DL. I expect the Tigers to win the division this season, because it doesn't appear that Cleveland did much to improve themselves. I like the team the Indians have, and they shouldn't be much different from last season, but they are counting on Travis Hafner to have a rebound year. The White Sox should have a much better season this year, or else Ozzie Guillen will be fired. They improved with the trade with the Angels by acquiring Orlando Cabrera in exchange for Jon Garland. They also picked up outfielder Nick Swisher from the A's. Swisher's bat is gonna help the team, but they are kidding themselves if they think he can play centerfield, and they gave up way to much to get him. It looks like Kansas City is getting better, but they really aren't. Gil Meche is not an ace pitcher. It looks like Alex Gordon is ready to play in the majors, but he may be the only bright spot they have this season. Minnesota made a few interesting moves in the offseason, by picking up Delmon Young they are taking a risk, but it should work out in the long run.

Is there anyone else out there, besides me, tired of players making guarantee's? My guess is, yes. I'm sure that by now, mostly everyone has heard about the guarantee made by Steelers, second year safety Anthony Smith. For those of you that didn't, he guaranteed that the Steelers would beat the 12-0 New England Patriots on Sunday. You know what I thought when I heard this? The first thing was, not another guarantee! Then I thought, is this guy an BLEEP? Then I thought even more about it, and said WHO? Ben Roethlisberger, Troy Polamalu, Willie Parker, Hines Ward, James Farrior, anyone really, but Anthony Smith? Steelers rookie head coach Mike Tomlin, thought it was a silly statement, and was agravated by it. Veterans actually found the comment somewhat amusing, including 11th year linebacker James Farrior. "He better keep his mouth shut," Farrior said as he laughed. "Oh well, I guess we've got to go deal with that." I just kind of find it bothersome, when players make guarantees, or as its became known around here "Guaransheed" in honor of Detroit Pistons center Rasheed Wallace. Whenever Wallace makes a prediction that comes true, it can be known as a Guaransheed. In the 2004 Eastern Conference Finals, Wallace predicted that the Pistons would win game 2, after falling behind. Detroit Lions quarterback Jon Kitna, has come under pressure this season after he made a statement that said the Lions should win 10 games. That was in the preseason and he wanted to get the team fired up, I don't blame him for that. I still wish that the Lions could win at least 2 more games to finish 8-8.

The Detroit Tigers made a HUGE splash at the 2007 MLB Winter Meetings, by acquiring Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera from the Florida Marlins, in exchange for six prospects including former first round picks, OF Cameron Maybin and LHP Andrew Miller. Also included in the deal were RP Eulogio de la Cruz, SP Burke Badenhop and Dallas Trahern, and C Mike Rabelo. Maybin and Miller were said to be untouchable, and you're starting to see that with other teams too, as the Yankees briefly discussed moving Phil Hughes if they could land Johan Santana. The Mets traded their top prize in Lastings Milledge to the Nationals. The Giants have discussed possibly trading Tim Lincecum, the Red Sox with Jon Lester or Jacoby Ellsbury. This is proving that some teams think now is the time to win, some teams would rather have low payroll and have a lineup of only young players.

For those of you that didn't get to see the Skins-Bears game, don't get mad. As you may or may not know, the Thursday/Saturday night games have been on NFL Network since last season. Those of us that did, had to listen to Bryant Gumbel. I swear, Does that man know anything at all about football? I think part of what makes sports fun, is the commentators. And I would like to be one, but when you have one like Bryant Gumbel, there is nothing fun about it.

Well I play Fantasy Football, and this is my third year. As is the case every season there are players that do much more than they are expected of, or suprises and there are players that don't do as much as were expected of them, these players can be known as busts. I am going to count injuries as busts.

Suprises

Derek Anderson, QB, Browns-At the beginning of the season many people would have just said Who, and moved on but now he is a "big name" player.

Earnest Graham, RB, Bucs-7 TDs this year when he barely had 7 carries last year (only 11) for 59 yards

Derrick Ward, RB, Giants-3 TDs for over 600 yards this season, which improved from last year when he didn't play

Wes Welker, WR, Pats-Truly benefitting from Tom Brady; 7 TDs this year compared to one last year

Busts

Michael Vick, QB, Falcons-Easily one of the best athletes in the game or at least he was

Darrell Jackson, WR, 49ers-had 10 touchdowns last season with Seahawks, but with move to San Fran, only 1 so far

Rex Grossman, QB, Bears-23 in '06, 4 in '07....Rex is still our guy right Lovie?

J.P. Losman, QB, Bills-19 TDs in '06 only 4 this year

Chad Pennington, QB, Jets-17 TDs last year, 9 this year

Alex Smith, QB, 49ers-16 TDs last season, 2 this season

Javon Walker, WR, Broncos-8 TDs in '06, none this year

Deuce McAlister, RB, Saints-Ended season early

Ladell Betts, RB, Skins-Although not his fault since Portis came back but only 256 yards now after rushing for 1154 yards in 2006