Every year around this time I can't help but excited over Tigers baseball. Sure, I've only been alive for one playoff birth, and I was too young to remember that, so it's no wonder I'm getting razzed up over what could be the best Tigers season in nearly two decades.

Over the last three seasons the Detroit Tigers organization has slowly but surely acquired, traded for, and developed players much better than the Motor City is accustomed to.

Key losses:

DH/OF: Rondell White : Although he only spent two seasons with the Tigers, White provided depth at the outfield positions while also consistently beefing up the batting order. However, the emergence of young outfielders such as Curtis Granderson and Nook Logan as well as the healthy return of Magglio Ordonez has left no room for White in Detroit. White was signed by the Minnesota Twins, and will be used as their designated hitter.

1B/DH: Carlos Pena: After a stint with the Tigers AAA affiliate the Toledo Mud Hens, Pena went on a tear hitting home runs on a daily basis. At last seasons end, Pena's inconsistency left his future in Detroit questionable. A long slump during spring training eased the Tigers decision - Pena was cut.

CP: Troy Percival: Depending on where you stand this may not be a "key loss," especially because Percival spent much of the 2005 season with an injured shoulder. But, without Kyle Farnsworth and Ugueth Urbina his departure leaves Detroit with a weaker bullpen than the Tigers had in 2005.

Key Additions:

CP: Todd Jones: After a four year hiatus the two time Rolaids Relief man returns to the Tigers as the official closing pitcher. As of late things haven't gone well for Tigers closing pitchers: see Percival's shoulder injury, or Urbina's need to set people on fire. Regardless, Jones is in his old form, the form when he used to shut down opponents night after night even without the defense or hitting to back him up.

SP: Kenny Rogers: Rogers is a great free agent acquisition regardless of his recent scuffles with camera men. Although he is old he is still an all-star caliber pitcher, giving Detroit a dependable second option behind Jeremy Bonderman. A spot Mike Maroth has not yet earned.

Rising Stars:

1B: Chris Shelton: Shelton's emergence as a power hitter basically wrote Carlos Pena's ticket out of town. It also solidified Dmitri Young as the official designated hitter, allowing the Tigers to release Rondell White and his unnecessary contract.

OF: Curtis Granderson: Over the last few years the Tigers have been playing hot potato with their lead off man. First it was Alex Sanchez, and then it was Nook Logan, now it seems as if Granderson is the one to claim that position. He has the speed that adds a base stealing option, as well as a good defensive outfield presence in center field between Magglio Ordonez and Craig Monroe.

Check back later this week for a break down of the Tigers bullpen, infield and outfield as well as a prediction for the 2006 baseball season.

Jon Gunnells is a journalism junior at Michigan State University and the runner-up for the Inaugural Next Great Sports Writer competition. He can be reached at gunnell2@msu.edu