I'm not ready to declare Detroit the 2012 World Series Champions.

Last week I was very concerned about a lack of protection for Miguel Cabrera in the Tigers lineup. I believed that the loss of Victor Martinez was a huge loss from the middle of the batting order. Martinez drove in over 100 runs and hit well the entire season. He was probably the only other hitter in the Tigers lineup to be trusted game in and game out. Yes, Brennan Boesch had a nice first half. So did Alex Avila. Both declined along with Jhonny Peralta after the All Star Break. Martinez and Cabrera remained very steady. Does it help to have the power hitting Fielder in the Tigers lineup? You bet. The Tigers just got better. They will probably run away with the American League Central. But home runs for Prince? Not so fast. Comerica is a tough place on a left-handed hitter. Comerica may be among the worst landing places for Fielder. He would have had a much better shot at putting up huge numbers staying in Miller Park (Milwaukee) or moving to Texas. But he chose Detroit. He'll be comfortable there and he'll hit very well. But I don't think he reaches last year's numbers in homers, average or RBI. The other big reason? The rest of the lineup remains mediocre, at best. I still have little faith in Boesch as a power hitter/run producer. I still have little faith in Avila being a game breaking catcher for an entire season. And my jury is out on Delmon Young. I'm not sure who he is. I do know he's inconsistent. So-bottom line? They win the Central and scuffle against either Boston, Texas or New York. As of now. But it was a very good move for Detroit. It does return Cabrera back to the top of my 1B rankings. But in my estimation It doesn't help Prince's overall fantasy value. That's just my opinion. You may certainly disagree.

Picture Miguel Cabrera playing third base. No way. I can't see it. He's way too big to play at the hot corner day in and day out. Upon occasion, fine. But not as an everyday player. Didn't the Tigers try that once before? Didn't Cabrera look like he was stuck in cement wearing mittens? His arm can do it, his body can't. That's my take. Cabrera and Prince will probably split designated hitter duties. It may not start that way in Spring Training. Or maybe not even in April. But at some point, the pitching staff will revolt and mutiny will be declared. Cabrera can not play 3B. And Prince will balloon after a couple of seasons as the DH. More so than even Cabrera. It won't be pretty by year 3 or 4 if Prince doesn't play defense often enough to stay in relatively good shape (for Prince.) He is much more lithe and agile at 1B than many believe, but over a sustained period not playing everyday will take its toll. I'm concerned about Prince as a DH, Cabrera as a 3B, Cabrera DHing too much and what happens to VMart when he returns. But those are issues for Detroit to figure out. They will. Give them credit for making a tremendous move to help the franchise win. And win they will. Maybe not the World Series.

I give great credit to Tigers owner Michael Ilitch for responding to a problem with a huge solution. It will be very costly. It may not pay the total dividend financially, but the Tigers do have one of the huge television contracts that helps soften the financial blow.

The National League has lost some tremendously talented 1Bmen. Say goodbye to Albert, Prince, and Carlos Pena. What does that say for Joey Votto when his free agency arrives? I think Cincy trades him in his walk year to get something back for him. Why? By the time Joey reaches free agency the Toronto Blue Jays will be drooling for his services and they'll have the financial means to get him. It would be smart for the Reds to trade Votto (who is Canadian) to Toronto after this season. But this season I think belongs to the Reds in the Central. Who else has their pitching and power? Nobody. And Votto will be a huge, huge contributor to the success. Then he can do what he wishes when he's free to select a new team. I just don't think the Reds will have the $$$ to keep him long term. For Reds fans, I hope I'm wrong.

Great line I heard the other day---"If the Indians make another trade, Fausto Carmona is a lock to be the Player To Be Named Later." True. True.

In my recent blogs, I've been slipping a couple names of players I'm bullish on this off season. Have I mentioned Cory Luebke? If I haven't, I just have. Man, the guy is still under the radar and he can flat out pitch. I like every category with the exception of wins. After all, he pitches for the Padres.

I'm not totally sold that Matt Thornton will close for the White Sox. It's still too early to take Thornton to the bank. Let's wait until late in Spring Training to see what happens. I like Addison Reed to surface at some point this season. Just a thought. In one role or the other, Reed figures.

Don't count Mike Aviles out as a primary shortstop in Boston. I know that everyone is looking at Jose Iglesias to take the place of Marco Scutaro and Jed Lowrie who were both traded. While I think Iglesias can play solid defense, I would be very concerned about his bat if I were Bobby Valentine. He still hasn't learned to consistently hit quality pitching. He reminds me of Adam Everett. Outstanding glove but little offense. In the competitive AL East, I'm not sure Iglesias can hit enough. While Aviles doesn't bring the glove of Iglesias, he can hit. The Red Sox are a candidate to go get a SS. I was really surprised they traded Scutaro. But they'll probably use his money to go get Roy Oswalt. They do need pitching, no doubt about it.

I really, really like what the Rockies have done this off season. Watch out Arizona. Watch out San Francisco. And the Dodgers? Better overall pitching and a good overall club. But weak at 3B, C and not a deep enough outfield. Who wins more games, the Angels or the Dodgers? That was a question at our Hot Stove lunch. Two others. Will Goldschmidt hit 38 homers? Will Yu Darvish win more than 10 games? We make outrageous predictions and see if anyone agrees enough to bet a lunch.

Here is what people I really trust have told me about Ryan Braun's appeal of his substance violation and potential suspension:
It is possible Braun was taking medication that included a banned substance. Unless the actual test was faulty (which is highly doubtful) there is no room for a favorable appeal verdict. If he thought the substance or medication was fine and he thought there wasn't a problem with the substance or medication and he failed to gain approval of a potential subscription he was taking, it doesn't matter. If the substance or medication had chemicals that violate the drug policy, he is still subject to being reprimanded. It could be a legitimate mistake on his part, but he still has to assume the penalty. That would mean a 50 game suspension. I guess players have to check with their team if they are provided a subscription for whatever ails them.

That's it for now. I'm out. Please follow me on twitter @BerniePleskoff and at MLB.com in the "voices" section. I am pleased to join Jeff and Dalton each Wednesday at 10AM Phoenix time on Sirius/XM.