MLB: 5 Important Offseason Moves for the Detroit Tigers

While two teams will be on their way to the World Series in a couple days, the other 28 will be left licking their wounds and making important decisions that will ultimately decide the fate of their respective clubs for next season.

The Detroit Tigers are already in a great position to start this upcoming postseason.  With a few contracts coming off of the books and some needs filled with recent trades and free agency, the Tigers will only need to make a few moves.

However, those moves are going to make the difference in the Tigers getting back to the postseason and making a much deeper run.

Here are five key off-season moves the Tigers must make in order to contend for a World Series championship in 2012.

5. Give Huge Thanks but Do Not Re-Sign Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen

They have given all Detroit Tigers fans some fantastic memories that we won't soon forget, but it is time for them to go.

Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen are not performing like they used to while in their prime, and who could blame them?  Ordonez is 37, and Guillen is not far behind at 36.  It is idiotic to assume they will ever contribute like they had in the past.

Even though both would like to return and Ordonez has even publicly stated that he does not want to retire, there is absolutely no sense in re-signing either of these players. 

Collectively, Ordonez and Guillen made $23,000,000 this season, which is 21.64% of the entire team's payroll.  Even more auspicious is the fact they only played in a combined total of 120 games this season. 

Whether or not they would be willing to take a pay cut is irrelevant, since neither one would see that kind of money in 2012. 

The time is now to let them walk and throw that money at some players who will truly help this team contend next October.

Thanks for the memories!

4. Sign a Left-Handed Starter

There is no question that the debate is hot in Detroit about whether to give Jacob Turner and Andy Oliver a shot at the rotation or to go find a fifth starter in free agency.

The solution is simple: sign a left-handed starter. 

The top three free agent left-handed pitchers have to be Mark Buehrle, C.J. Wilson, and (maybe) C.C. Sabathia.  First of all, the Tigers will simply not land Sabathia.  He wants too much money, and he wouldn't even be the ace of our staff, so let's focus our attention on the top two possible targets.

While it may be difficult to pry Buehrle away from Chicago, the Tigers may have just enough money to get it done.  He has a career 3.83 ERA, which would only improve by pitching in spacious Comerica Park half of the season.  He is a proven winner and would add tremendous depth to an already potent Tigers pitching rotation.

A slightly cheaper option may be C.J. Wilson.  While his postseason run is not yet complete, he did not help himself in October.  He currently has a 8.03 ERA in three games, and has given up 14 earned runs.  However, his regular season was a stark contrast.  He went 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA. If given the opportunity, the Tigers should make a run at Wilson.  His regular season speaks for itself, and he would bring a great deal of postseason experience to Detroit.

While Turner and Oliver will likely be given a chance to make the rotation, the Tigers need to have a lefty in the rotation.  Opposing teams should not be given the chance to prepare for a right-handed pitcher every single night.

One of these free agents may be the answer.

3. Sign Second Baseman Aaron Hill

The Tigers need a second baseman.  While Ramon Santiago did a great job this postseason, it is unreasonable to think that he can continue that success through an 162-game season.  The first permanent answer at second base since Placido Polanco left town is a necessity if the Tigers want to make a deep run in 2012.

Aaron Hill is a great option. While there may be other attractive free agents like Brandon Phillips or Willie Bloomquist, their salaries may be too much for the Tigers to eat if they wish to make other moves.

While Hill may have struggled a bit this year during the regular season, he has hit at least .274 four times in his career.  He also hit 36 home runs in 2009 followed by 26 in 2010.

Hill will be 30 by the time Opening Day comes around in April, but he is still in his prime.  He could be a major contributor for the Tigers next season.

2. Sign Outfielder David DeJesus

He's always been the player that Tigers' fans love to hate.  Maybe it's because DeJesus loves playing Detroit, considering he has a .307 batting average lifetime against our home team. 

He is a very attractive option for two reasons.  First of all, he had a down year.  He only hit .240 and struck out 86 times.  However, this was the first time in his career that he has ever hit below .260. In fact, he hit just about .300 combined during the 2008, 2009, and 2010 seasons.  While he doesn't have a great deal of power, what team wouldn't want to add a career .284 hitter if it is for the right price?

Secondly, because of his struggles during 2011, the Tigers may be able to pick him up at a discount.  He had a $6,000,000 salary during 2011 and would have to take a pay cut for Detroit to pick him up.  Perhaps the Tigers' recent ALCS run would be enough to convince him into a pay cut for a chance to play for a true contender.

Every team can use a left-handed bat, and DeJesus could come in and help Detroit immediately., no doubt about it.

1. Sign Third Baseman Aramis Ramirez

First of all, the Tigers do not necessarily need a long-term answer at third base.  What they do need is a guy who can contribute both offensively and defensively every night for two to three years while Nick Castellanos is being developed. 

Therefore, what better option is there for the Tigers other than Aramis Ramirez? Detroit needs to find a third baseman that can play a whole game.  It is becoming ridiculous to have to take Betemit out due to his defense or take Inge out due to his offense.

Ramirez had a fielding percentage of about .955 while Inge's wasn't much better at .963.  Ramirez had an above .300 batting average, while Inge hit .197 and Betemit hit right around .280 after coming to Detroit.

Obviously, Leyland does not trust Betemit's defense, and his trust is wearing thin in Inge's offense.  Therefore, Ramirez gives the Tigers a reliable defensive third baseman and a potent right-handed bat.  Again, this is all assuming he is willing to take a pay cut to play for a contending team since the Tigers will most certainly not pay him the $14,600,000 he made this season.

But, just imagine if he, along with some of the other players mentioned, were willing to take less money in order to possibly celebrate under a champagne shower in October.

While the recent ALCS lost still stings mightily, Tigers' fans will be on the edges of their seats this off-season and ready to cheer April 5, 2012.