The Tigers have designated 28-year old righty reliever Zach Miner for assignment. Miner missed all of the 2010 season due to Tommy John Surgery. Miner has pitched in 157 games (35 starts) in 4 years with the Tigers and he was 25-20 with 1 save, a 4.24 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. The Tigers will likely load up this winter in the bullpen so they won’t miss Miner. Some team will give him a chance though, and if healthy, he will be able to help them.

The Tigers have re-signed 28-year old righty reliever Enrique Gonzalez. Gonzalez pitched in 18 games (0 starts) for the Tigers last season and he was 0-1 with a 3.81 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. He has now pitched in 47 games (18 starts) in his five years in the majors and he is 4-8 with a 5.54 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. The Tigers will give Gonzalez a shot to earn a job in the bullpen next spring.

The Tigers have signed 31-year old DH/1B/C Victor Martinez to a 4-year, $50 million dollar deal. Martinez played in 127 games for the Red Sox last season and he was 149 of 493 (.302 avg, .844 OPS) with 64 runs scored, 20 homers and 79 RBIs. He has now played in 1,004 games in his 9 years in the majors and he is 1,120 of 3,739 (.300 avg, .838 OPS) with 509 runs scored, 131 homers, 638 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Martinez will likely get most of his P.T. at DH with Alex Avila starting at catcher. Martinez can also give Miguel Cabrera a break at 1B when he needs one. I like this move for the Tigers as Martinez is a high average hitter with power from both sides of the plate.

25-year old lefty swinging outfielder Brennan Boesch finished tied for fifth in the A.L. Rookie of the Year Award voting with 27-year old catcher John Jaso of the Rays and 23-year old lefty starting pitcher Brian Matusz of the Orioles. Boesch played in 133 games for the Tigers last season and he was 119 of 464 (.256 avg, .736 OPS) with 49 runs scored, 14 homers, 67 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. Boesch started his career out super hot but the second time around the league the pitchers adjusted to him. Boesch will have to re-adjust to what pitchers are doing to him if he wants to be a starting OF for the Tigers in 2011.

23-year old righty swinging CF Austin Jackson finished 2nd in the voting for the A.L. Rookie of the Year Award finishing only behind closer Neftali Feliz of the Rangers. Jackson played in 151 games for the Tigers last season and he was 181 of 618 (.293 avg, .745 OPS) with 103 runs scored, 4 homers, 41 RBIs and 27 stolen bases. The only weakness that Jackson has is that he whiffs too much. He led the A.L. with 170 whiffs last season. If he doesn’t cut down on the strikeouts I see his batting average starting to fall. Regardless of the strikeouts, Jackson had a great rookie year.