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As the 2008 baseball season began, the Detroit Tigers knew they had a challenging schedule ahead of them in more ways than one. Besides the long, grueling 162 game schedule that every team must endure, the challenges ahead for them are daunting. From acquiring the pieces they need to fill their roster after last year's disappointing ending to the season, too how their season begins, the Tiger's schedule begins with no cake walks, or "easy" games so to speak. The challenges begin from the get-go. They are already beginning the season without starting center fielder Curtis Granderson, who has been out since Spring Training with a broken bone in his hand after he got hit with a pitch.

The Tiger's open at home and face the Royals, then their divisional foe, the Chicago White Sox come into town for a 3 game set. Then they go on and play 19 games in a row, which includes the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox, at the White Sox, Cleveland, Minnesota, Toronto, Texas and the Angels, before they hit the road again and go to Yankee Stadium for the Yankees. By the end of the month, the challenges only get tougher, especially if they get off to a bad start.

Coming off a disappointing season where they were among the favorites to go to the World Series, they knew they had to make some changes if they were truly going to contend. They made the World Series in the 2006 season. Last season, expectations ran high for them to go back again to the series, and they did not. Now they have a team that is better then BOTH of those past teams. If they want to contend with teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, or the Angels, they knew they had to dig deep, and make some moves to bolster their team for the long haul. Already staffed with one of the league's best young pitching staffs, they now needed to add some young fire power to their already dangerous batting lineup. With a lack luster free agent market, the Tiger's were on the prowl, and everyone was taking notice. They already had added Edgar Renteria and Jacque Jones this off season but they still needed some power, and youth to their lineup.

At the Annual General Manager's Winter Meetings, the Tiger's snuck up on everyone, and pounced. They were making waves as rumors were floating around they were talking to the Florida Marlins about acquiring possibly left handed Pitcher, Dontrelle Willis and 1st basemen Miguel Cabrera. Willis, 27, finished the 2007 season, with a disappointing record of 10-15,(worst

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