Where To Begin?

It has been brought to my attention that it has been almost a month since my last post.  For those who were hoping for one before now, I apologize.  Due to the long absence, there will be a new blog every day this week.

For today, we’ll do a short overview of what’s been going on over the last month, and later in the week we’ll go more in depth on some of the topics from today, and further in depth on more original topics.  

First: Detroit sports

The Red Wings have been on an absolute tear over the last month.  Winning 9 of 13 including a season long seven game win streak.  It looks as though Babcock’s line shake up is exactly what the team needed.  The offense, defense, and Jimmy Howard are clicking on all cylinders. 

Currently the Wings sit three points back of the Blackhawks in the Central Division with two games in hand, and six points back of the conference leading Wild.  With the way the Winged Wheel is rolling in Detroit, it looks like we can put those early season woes behind us and begin looking forward to the all-star break.  This means the up and ups can really take a look at what, if any, areas need to be improved upon prior to the trade deadline.  

The Tigers seem to be involved in more rumors than anything else this time of year, although they did make a few moves during the winter meetings last week.  

The Tigers signed veteran righty Octavio Dotel to a one years deal, with a team option for 2013.  Dotel will make $3 million next year and joins Benoit, Albuquerque, and Valverde at the back end of the bullpen.  The Tigers also traded their 21st overall pick from 2008, Ryan Perry, for Colin Balester from the Washington Nationals.  Though Perry had promising years and stuff in 2009 and 2010, 2011 was a struggle from start to finish which was marred by constant call ups and send downs.  

The Tigers also non-tendered Will Rhymes today.  Since Rhymes is not arbitration eligible and still under team control, unless a contract is figured out by spring training, Rhymes will earn the same contract he had this year.  

Detroit’s ball club has also been mentioned as possible landing spots for recently posted free agents, Yu Darvish, and soon to be posted, Yoenis Cespedes.  More on this particular topic to come later.

The Lions are 2-2 over the last month and now stand at 8-5 for the season.  Thanks to Chicago’s blunders, the Lions are clinging to the last spot in the current playoff picture.   

League news:

MLB

Lots of big moves took place last week during the winter meetings.  The Miami Marlins made the first splash by reeling in the top shortstop free agent in the past few years, Jose Reyes.

The biggest day any team had was last Thursday when the Angels signed both Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson.  With the Angels’ newest move, it will be interesting to see how the Rangers react in their attempt to win another AL West title.  

NHL

During the Board of Governors meeting last week, the NHL approved a new 4 conference realignment for the 2012-2013 season.  Although I did create my own proposal for realignment, the NHL did not take my advice and came up with their own.  There will be a post dedicated solely to this issue later this week.

Last little things:

Sidney Crosby returned from his concussion during my blog hiatus and came back with guns blazing.  However, after being hit hard in open ice last week, he has missed the Penguins’ last 2 games and has not practiced due to concussion like symptoms.  

The Suh stomping incident was handled correctly in my opinion and I fully support the league’s decision for the two game suspension.

Tiger Woods ended his two year winless drought with a victory at his tournament, The Chevron World Challenge.  Tiger seems to have once again been able to rework his swing and now seems comfortable with it and able to control it for an entire weekend.  

Both Manchester United and Manchester City were knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 32.

And yes, Tim Tebow has continued to shock and baffle sports fans everywhere by going 7-1 in his eight starts.  

Be sure to log on tomorrow and feel free to comment and share this with your friends, family and fellow sports lovers.