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I'm gonna mention the age factor again for the Detroit bats before 1981.

Before I do, I just want to mention that the pitching staff got overhauled over the last few seasons. Jim Lonborg, Pat Jarvis, and Floyd Weaver have retired, while all the injuries took a toll on Gary Nolan and he has turned into AA junk.

Replacing those guys have been FA signees Larry Gowell and Joe McIntosh, both in their prime, and youngsters Floyd Bannister and Mark Lemongello. Gene Garber remains in the rotation, but lost a lot of time due to injury in 1980. The Tigers have enough money to go out and get another hurler at any time.

Now for the bats:
Catching is not a problem with Tim Blackwell and Steve Nicosia having claimed spots. Blackwell's played well, but the Tigers think Nicosia has a bigger upside.

1B: Lou Pinella is 37 and losing it, as he showed in the postseason. Frank Ortenzio has finally begun to do something and Mike Hargrove is still around.

2B: Eddie Leon flip flopped with Tony LaRussa last season. The 11th year player is 34 and lost range at short prompting the move.

SS: It's not ideal to see a 2B move to short at the age of 36, but Tony LaRussa did for the Tigers. Expect LaRussa to stay at short til 20 year old Lenny Faedo claims the position for his own.

3B: Ralph Garr has been in the bigs since 1969 and has never left Detroit. Now 34, the veteran is being asked to fill the spot for another couple of seasons until prospect Dale Berra is ready or a different alternative is found.

OF/DH: Bobby Bonds, Amos Otis and Tom Paciorek are still at their peak, but for how much longer? All are at least 33. Dave Parker is not hitting at all like he was expected to and Dwight Evans is still not claiming even a bench spot full time.

Right now, it looks like the Tigers will be able to stay up top for 2 more seasons, but some major changes are ahead.

LaRussa, Garr, Leon, and Paciorek have been Tigers since at least 1970.