DETROIT -- When the Detroit Tigers spent millions last offseason to sign Jordan Zimmermann and Justin Upton, it appeared they extended their window of opportunity to challenge for a championship for another couple of years.One of those chances went by the wayside in 2016.The Tigers were eliminated from the AL wild-card race on the final day of the season, missing the playoffs for a second straight year. It was a bitter disappointment for a team that came into 2016 with a payroll around $200 million and a roster still built around Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander -- two stars who had very productive seasons but are now in their mid-30s.A lot of hard work for naught, Verlander said. You cant say a wasted year because we battled and we gave it everything we had. ... Still, all the hard work in the offseason, all the hard work during the season, and then it comes to an end on the last day. Its tough.Detroits 86-75 record was a 12-game improvement over 2015. The Tigers have not made any announcement about the future of manager Brad Ausmus, but general manager Al Avila can keep the roster largely intact if he wants to. Its not until after the 2017 season that Detroit could face substantial losses in free agency.Here are a few things to know heading into the offseason:YOUNG ARMSWhen the Tigers acquired Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd last year in trades for Yoenis Cespedes and David Price, Detroit hoped those three could provide young, cost-controlled pitching in the seasons to come. The Tigers reaped the rewards of those deals even earlier than expected.Fulmer went 11-7 with a 3.06 ERA in 26 starts. Norris wasnt healthy enough to make that kind of impact, but he was 4-2 with a 3.38 ERA and averaged more than a strikeout per inning. Boyd was 6-5 with a 4.53 ERA.Those three pitchers are perhaps the biggest reason Detroit was able to stay in the postseason race all the way until the end.WILL BRAD BE BACK?The Tigers are 250-234 in three seasons under Ausmus, and theyve finished first, last and now second in the AL Central on his watch. Ausmus did not want to speculate about whether hed be back next year.If Al thinks he would rather have someone else, I would respect his decision, Ausmus said. If Al would like me to do it, I would love to do it.FEAST OR FAMINEZimmermann and Upton, the two big free agents who joined the Tigers last offseason, went through their share of frustration. Zimmermann was 5-0 with a 0.55 ERA in April, but his season ended up being ruined by neck problems, and he finished with an ERA of 4.87.Upton hit 31 home runs, 18 after Aug. 20.COMING AND GOINGDetroit infielders Erick Aybar and Casey McGehee and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia can become free agents, and the Tigers have team options for next season on outfielder Cameron Maybin and closer Francisco Rodriguez.Detroit can keep all its biggest stars for 2017, but after that, Upton and J.D. Martinez can become free agents.STAYING HEALTHYThe Tigers had their share of injury problems this year, but they had to be encouraged by Cabrera and Verlander, both of whom were able to stay healthy. Victor Martinez also was available to play in 154 games and hit 27 home runs after managing just 11 the previous season.---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister http://www.texansrookiestore.com/Texans-Cj-Fiedorowicz-Jersey/ . The scientists believe the small earthquake during a Marshawn Lynch touchdown was likely greater than Lynchs famous "beast quake" touchdown run three years ago, which also came against New Orleans during a playoff game. http://www.texansrookiestore.com/Texans-Lamar-Miller-Jersey/ . Pettersen, winner of last years Evian Championships, had nine birdies and three bogeys, holding off a series of challengers led by Marion Ricordeau of France. The second-ranked Norwegian made her season debut after missing the LPGA Tours opening event last month in the Bahamas because of a shoulder injury. http://www.texansrookiestore.com/Texans-Donta-Foreman-Jersey/ . Nigeria beat surprise package Ethiopia 2-0 in the second leg of their playoff for a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory. Victor Moses converted a 20th-minute penalty after an Ethiopian handball, and Victor Obinna made certain of Nigerias place in Brazil with his powerful free kick in the 82nd at UJ Esuene Stadium. http://www.texansrookiestore.com/Hoodie/ . "We have always prided ourselves on the way we play defence. Having two big pieces back is going to be a key for us moving forward for years to come," said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. http://www.texansrookiestore.com/Texans-Kendall-Lamm-Jersey/ . Jeff Green scored 13 points and Kris Humphries 12 for the Celtics, who nearly blew an 18-point, second-half lead. Sullingers 20-20 was the first by a Celtics player since Kevin Garnetts first game in Boston in 2007. Garnett was dealt -- along with Paul Pierce -- to Brooklyn during the off-season. LAS VEGAS -- DAngelo Russell knows the stakes for Brandon Ingram, and Russell knows them better than anyone else.The No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 draft, Russell joined the Los Angeles Lakers amid a boatload of expectations, with the teams higher-ups saying he carried superstar potential and could pass the ball like Magic Johnson.Then Russell debuted in NBA summer league last summer, and the point guard and former Ohio State standout, beset by nerves and the weight of the moment, struggled quite a bit.So when Ingram, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 draft and a forward who the Lakers believe can help resurrect their fallen franchise, made his summer league debut Friday, Russell came up to the 6-foot-9 forward and told him to just relax.Thing is, Ingram didnt need too much guidance on staying calm. Even with the temperatures climbing to triple digits outside the Thomas & Mack Center, Ingram remained unusually cool for an 18-year-old on his first NBA stage.Coming into this game, I wasnt nervous at all, which was surprising, Ingram said after the Lakers 85-65 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.The former Duke freshman standout finished with a modest stat line of 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting, four rebounds, a pair of blocks and an assist, but what most impressed his Lakers teammates and coaches was how he didnt force the action whether he had the ball or didnt.I can really only remember maybe one forced shot, which is hard to do, especially in a summer league environment where you kind of get caught up in the moment and the pace of the game, said Lakers assistant Jesse Mermuys, who is coaching the teams summer league squad. I thought he really let the game come to him, and that was really a bright spot for us.Was there anything that surprised the staff?No, because obviously everyone is pretty excited about him, Mermuys said. I think from a coaching standpoint, you want to try to temper expectations, but at the same time you want to celebrate when he goes out there and does some good stuff.I think were just really excited about what we have to work with. And besides his playing -- obviously he had some big-time moments tonight -- but him just really as a coachable teammate and person. Hes just a pleasure to coach.Russell, who scored 20 points and added 11 reboundss and six assists, said of Ingram: It didnt even look like he was trying.dddddddddddd I kept telling him, when he starts trying, its going to be scary. He played well.Ingram knocked down an early jumper, had a dunk late after pump-faking a defender near the perimeter and proved he could finish at the rim. There were enough flashes to give a crowd full of Lakers fans plenty to cheer about.But Ingram said his no-rush demeanor on the floor is a product of his coaching through the years dating back to youth sports and even at Duke.They always told me to let the game come to me, Ingram said, speaking of his past coaches. Thats what I did tonight. I didnt force anything.Ingram also credited his teammates, especially Russell.Hes been a leader through practice, and of course he was a leader today, just telling me to get to my spots and hell find me, Ingram said. Just playing with DAngelo, he makes the game a lot easier -- just getting to my spots. He has confidence in me, so I have confidence in myself to get to my midrange pull-up and get to the basket.Though Ingram is only a year removed from college and needs to add strength to his spindly frame, Russell is confident that the forward with a 7-3 wingspan and a 9-2 standing reach can acclimate quickly to the NBA.I feel like just with the proper guidance, hell grow every day, starting in practice, Russell said. It just looks easy for him. He has some God-given talent with his length and his athleticism. I dont feel like hell struggle. I feel like hell be good.The Lakers have practiced together only a few days, but Ingram was impressive enough in those sessions that teammate Larry Nance Jr.?declared that Ingram was the real deal. Nance stuck by his proclamation after Fridays game.Same thing -- kid can play, Nance said. He can do it in a lot of different ways, shooting and driving, and I think we saw a dunk. Hes just extremely versatile, and Im looking forward to playing with him.Now comes an even more tantalizing test for Ingram -- a matchup against No. 1 overall pick?Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers. Ingram and the Lakers will face Simmons during the final summer league game Saturday. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '
