Pitchers and catchers reported to preseason workouts in Lakeland, Florida today. This is exciting for a couple of different reasons: A) it means spring is coming and B) Tigers baseball is just around corner. I think the Tigers are going to be better this year. After last year’s surprising last place finish, I suppose the only way to go is up.

There are some interesting story lines this year, mostly to do with Pitching and Defense. I believe our offense is going to be just fine.

That said, here are 10 things I think we should to keep an eye on:
1) Who will be closer? Brandon Lyon or Fernando Rodney?
2) Who is going to fill the fifth spot in the rotation? Presumably, it will be one of the Lefties like Nate Robinson or Dontrell Willis. Will Willis return to form?
3) Can Justin Verlander and Jeremy Bonderman make a comeback this year? Can they be the pitchers they were in 2006?
4) Will the bullpen be better? It was pretty much awful last year.
5) Can Joel Zumaya throw any amount of innings before blowing another part of his body up?
6) How is Curtis Granderson going to platoon the whole outfield? With Carlos Guillen in left and Magglio Ordonez in right, Granderson is going to have to make up for two guys who both have had their knees reconstructed.
7) Can Adam Everett bunt?
8) Is Gerald Laird the answer behind the plate? How is he going to adjust to a new pitching staff?
9) Can Jim Leyland pull another one out of his pack of Marlboros and lead us back to the playoffs?
10) What Tigers names are on the list of 103 that cheated by using Steroids and will MLB release this list after A-Rod was sold out?

I can’t wait for baseball to start this spring. I hope the Tigers can finish above the Kansas City Royals this year!