Most Overrated Players In The MLB

The term overrated is described differently from many people. It's prescribed as when MLB superstars cannot preform as their contract says they should. Here's my list of three players that are theist overrated players in the majors.

1. Alfonso Soriano, Chicago Cubs

When the Cubs signed Alfonso back in 2007, they expected him to preform they way he did when he was with the Yankees and the Nationals. But Soriano hasn't lived up to expectations Cubs fans wanted. .270 average, 20 homers, 80 RBI seasons. The Cubs need to let Soriano go if they want to go in the right direction in the rebuilding process.

2. A.J. Burnett, New York Yankees

There's no question that Burnett hasn't lived up to the 85 million dollar contract he received back in 2008. His problems with his pitching velocity doesn't go well with the Yankee staff. At times, we see him sitting on the bench, watching a game he should be playing. His time with the Blue Jays was no comparison to his time with the Yankees. Burnett has truly been the disappointment of the Yankees squad.

3. Adam Dunn, Chicago White Sox

The Sox are definitely wishing they didn't sign Dunn last year. They hoped that Dunn could bring up the power hitting in the Sox lineup and hopes of winning the AL Central. But all they got was strikeouts and more strikeouts. Just think of the Sox signed Victor Martinez instead of Dunn last offseason.

Manny Ramirez Returning To Baseball

Former slugger Manny Ramirez has reportedly expressed interest in making a comeback in the MLB.

Now 39, Ramirez retired last season after receiving a 100 game suspension for failing his drug test for the second time. he has already filed for reinstatement from MLB's voluntary retired list. If he get signed by a team, Ramirez will have to serve his suspension but may get reduced by fifty games because Manny sat out all of last year.

The twelve time All-Star only managed just one hit  in 17 plate appearances for the Rays in 2011. But has hit .312 in his career and is ranked 14th in MLB history in career home runs with 555.

The question is, which team will sign this aging Dominican? Teams have expressed interest in Manny but have doubts in how well he can preform on the diamond, as well as, how much Manny will ask for when he signs with certain clubs

Chances of the Detroit tigers signing Manny? Doubt it, with power hitters already on the roster including Victor Martinez, Miguel Cabrera, Brennan Bosch, and newly signed Prince Fielder, it will be hard to find a spot for Manny to play everyday in the liuneup. I would love to have Ramirez on the Tigers but it would be a waste of money for an day-to-day player. 

Tigers Trade/ Free Agent Rumors

The Tigers have reported that they have expressed interest in Cuban star Yoenis Cespedes. Cespedes has decided to leave the Cuban league and join the MLB. The Tigers, Miami Marlins, and Chicago Cubs have been actively pushing in signing the young prospect.

Personally, the Tigers shouldn't even go near this guy. The Marlins and Cubs have claimed that they will pay top dollar for this guy, by the way who hasn't even played a single inning in the MLB. Who knows how his playing capability will last in the MLB. Will we see another Daisuke Matsuzaka? A great international superstar but couldn't live up to the hype in the majors.

The Tigers also have been seeing interest in Chicago Cubs pitcher Matt Garza. Garza went 10-10 last year with the Cubs with an ERA of 3.32. Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Oswald turned down a 1 year 10 million dollar deal with the Tigers last week, so why stop in hunting down another All-Star pitcher.

If the Tigers want to make this trade happen, then they must do it now. Waiting and hoping for a better deal would be out of proportion. Last season, the Cleveland Indians brought in Colorado Rockies star Ubaldo Jimenez out of desperation in hopes of winning the AL Central division. The Rockies got more for Jimenez than he was worth, strictly speaking, since he had battled injuries most of the season. If the Tigers wait until the summer to pursue Matt Garza, they are going to end up giving the Cubs more for Matt Garza than he is worth, too.

2012 Starting Lineup Projections

The Tigers are experiencing major differences in the lineup for the new year. The loss of DH Victor Martinez with a torn ACL has brought the club down but with contributors coming  back from their respected injuries, and top free agents and prospects have joined the roster to provide damage for opposing clubs. Here are my predictions for this year's starting lineup.

1. Austin Jackson CF

Jackson scares me when he's up in the batters box. He always
finds a way to strikeout and not even attempt to swing the bat. But his speed is helpful to reach on base for the power hitters to score runs.

2. Brennan Bosch LF

Bosch is coming back from an injury he received during the end of the year. His bat was missed during the playoffs but having him back will improve the lineup greatly.

3. Miguel Cabrera 3rd

No surprise here, pitchers will worry about the Venezuelan at the 3rd spot. Over 30 home runs and 100 RBIs the past few years, there are no signs of Cabrera slowing down in his productivity.

4. Prince Fielder 1st

The newest addition to the Tigers organization. Fans are hoping Prince will live up to what his father established when he played at Tiger Stadium in the early 90's. Look for Fielder to have 50 home run seasons while he's wearing the English D

5. Delmon Young DH

Delmon joined the Tigers during the deadline to help team reach the playoffs with his ability to hit, and he didn't disappoint. His addition at the 5th spot will contribute to the power hitting in the heart of the lineup.

6. Jhonny Peralta SS

The most consistent batter in lineup. An excellent all around player. He can do everything, singles, doubles, triples
and homeruns. Another All-Star season will earn him his second career All-Star game appearance.

7. Alex Avilia C

Alex is one of those players that came out of college that no one knew about and it took one season for the national spotlight to be on Alex. .301 average and a start in the All-Star game. Alex will prove this year that last year wasn't a fluke.

8. Don Kelly, Andy Dirks RF

We will see this spring training a battle for the starting spot at right field and the eighth spot in the lineup between Don Kelly and Andy Dirks. Both are excellent athletes, which is hard to decide which one to pick. It will be interesting who Jim Leyland picks this year to be on the starting roster.

9. Ramon Santiago 2nd

The fastest player on the Tigers squad in my opinion. Ramon is an excellent Contributor when it comes to singles and bunting to put extra men on base. I wouldn't be surprised if Ramon would get bumped up in this lineup such as 1st or 7th.

2012 Starting Rotation Projections

There is no question that Detroit has one of the most underrated, yet one of the most talented rotations in the major leagues. With last season's AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander leading the way, it's safe to say that teams will have their hands tied once they have to face the Tigers any giving night. That being said, with spring training coming up, we will see how Jim Leyland and his staff will set up the rotation to become a successful ball club. Here are my predictions for this year's starting rotation for the Tigers.

1. Justin Verlander

It will be hard for Justin to match his marvelous 2011 season, but that's doesn't mean he won't be as dominant this year. The number one spot is a sure lock for Verlander.

2. Doug Fister

In my opinion, the most underrated pitcher in the MLB would have to be Fister. Going 8-1 with the Tigers and 4-12 with the Seattle Mariners last season, this shows how successful pitchers can be with talent surrounding them. Don't be surprised hearing talks of Fister in the Cy Young Award race this year.

3. Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello

Both of these young pitchers have the opportunity to lock in the 3rd spot in the rotation. Both have excellent talent when they step up onto the pitchers mound. it's hard to choose between each one. But if I had to pick, it would have to Scherzer, because of the more experience he has had so far in the majors.

5. Jacob Turner

One of the most highly anticipated prospects in the MLB. There have been numerous talks of potentially trading him for a veteran pitcher, which would be mind blowing to me. In 1987, the Tigers traded prospect John Smoltz for veteran Doyle Alexander. Just think how great the Tigers would have been if they held on to Smoltz.