They need a backup catcher who can give Alex Avila a day off now and then, and let Victor Martinez become the full-time DH.

Miguel Cabrera will be at first for a while.

Injuries limited Carlos Guillen's playing time, and he may retire. Ramon Santiago, Ryan Raburn, and Danny Worth are more useful as utility players and pinch hitters than they would be as the regular second baseman. Will Rhymes isn't the answer.

Jhonny Peralta is the man at shortstop.

Brandon Inge, bless his heart, got some big hits and made some fine plays late in the season. But St. Peter wouldn't stay in the lineup for long if he hit .197. When the Tigers put him on waivers in July, there were no takers, and he's signed for next year. Donnie Kelly, another all purpose guy, is more valuable off the bench than as a regular. Wilson Betemit's gloves need to be taken away and burned.

Delmon Young's best position is DH. Andy Dirks is a situational guy, on a team sprinkled with them, who's best pinch-hitting and as the extra left-handed bat against a tough righty. Brennan Boesch needs to make a comeback after missing the last two months with an injured thumb. Magglio Ordonez' ankle hasn't healed, recurring pain kept him out of the ALCS, and he may retire. Austin Jackson hit .249 and struck out 181 times; that's not acceptable in the leadoff spot, but he's all the speed they have and he covers Comerica's deep center field.

Justin Verlander and Doug Fister at the front of the rotation, and Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde at the back of the bullpen, were great. Everyone else was inconsistent. Max Scherzer may never become more than a third starter. Rick Porcello has to