Bleacher Report - Articles by Tom Harrison

NCAAB Preseason Top 25(2008-2009) Season

Tom Harrison — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:15:01 -0400

After last season, a lot of talented freshmen left after their first year of college basketball. Some teams were fortunate enough to have players returning for the next season. Here are my preseason top 25:

1. North Carolina

With Tyler Hansbrough staying, without a doubt they are my favorites to win the championship. He will be in his senior this year and with the return of Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington they are the best team in the country.

2. UCLA

3. Texas

4. Connecticut

5. Louisville

6. Michigan State

7. Notre Dame

8. Gonzaga

9. Pittsburgh

10. Duke

11. Purdue

12. Marquette

13. Arizona State

14. Tennessee

15. Florida

16. Georgetown

17. Memphis

18. Villanova

19. Davidson

20. Virgina Tech

21. Arizona

(If they got all of thier expected freshman they would be No. 6) and if Jerryd Bayless didn't leave and their freshman came they would be the favorite to win the championship

22. Wisconsin

23. Kentucky

24. Miami-Florida

25. Kansas

How to Repair The Detroit Tigers

Tom Harrison — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 11:55:31 -0400

The tigers made a lot of moves last off-season, upgraded at third base and somehow got a lot worse. They have a lot of things to do this off-season to be a contender to win the AL Central. First things first they need to get a closer since their current closer Todd Jones recently announced his retirement. In order to fill his spot the Tigers need to sign a closer, because they have one of the worst bullpens in the league. They should first try Francisco Rodriguez but he will never want to play in Detroit. Look for them to sign either Brian Fuentes, Eric Gagne, or Brandon Lyon. They should consider signing middle relievers as well since as previously stated their bullpen is one of the worst in baseball.

The tigers should then try to get quality pitchers in their rotation. They might need to use a guy like Magglio Ordonez or Gary Sheffield as trade bait but it is worth it. Pitching wins games and that's why the Tigers didn't win any this year; they thought they could hit their way into the postseason. This strategy has been proven to be unsuccessful. Therefore they should try to get rid of an outfielder to get some quality pitching in their rotation.

Edgar Renteria is aging and cannot continue to play short for the Detroit Tigers. They shouldn't pick up his option but rather either trade for a shortstop or sign one. They should look first to trade Dontrelle Willis and Brent Clevlen to the Pirates and acquire Jack Wilson. The Tigers have been interested in Wilson for some time now and this off-season is their chance to acquire him.

The Tigers need to also find a backup for Brandon Inge because they traded Pudge so they are left without a backup catcher. Johnny Estrada should be considered for this position if not resigned by the Nationals and if they cannot get Estrada they should look to sign Javier Valentin.

They also need to resign Freddy Garcia because he will be cheap and will be fully recovered from his injury. This gives them more depth in the rotation and fills ine the place of the hopefully departed Willis.

In review the Tigers need to sign a closer, acquire Jack Wilson, resign Freddy Garcia, sign a back up catcher, and use the trade bait in the outfield to booster up their bullpen and starting rotation just to become a conteder again.

Ichiro in Pinstripes in 2009?

Tom Harrison — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 11:20:27 -0400

There are problems in the Mariners' clubhouse concerning Ichiro Suzuki. The Yankees will have an opening in right field come this offseason with the expiring contract of Bobby Abreu.

As unlikely as it may sound that the Mariners would be willing to trade Ichiro, it might just happen. He is disappointed with the way the Mariners performed and wants to play for a contender.

The Yankees are a contender and have the prospects to land a player like Ichiro. They could send Cano, who needs to get out of New York, to play to his full potential and Ian Kennedy, who also can't handle the pressure of playing on the world's biggest stage.

Ichiro, on the other hand, would love to play in front of a sellout crowd every day with players who want what he wants: to win a world series. It may sound a little absurd, but it could happen. You never know what the Yankees can do from now until April.