It's been three years since we published the initial version of this Christmas piece, so I thought it was time to update the text to fit today's Tigers' situation. Merry Christmas Tiger fans!

Twas the night before Christmas

And all through the Blog

Not a Writer was stirring

Except Tigerdog



The shopping was done

The roster was set

But Tigerdog knew

That we weren't done yet



Then down from the basement

There arose such a clatter

Al Avila went down

To see what was the matter



I was taking a nap and woke up in a panic

"Gosh dammit Al, what are these antics?

We’ve missed the playoffs, two years in a row

We had a great team, but we’ve let them all go"



"Gone Scherzer, Gone Fister, Porcello and Price

Sanchez and Pelfrey are a roll of the dice

You’re freaking us out with this talk about change

And no decent players are in your price range



You traded away Maybin, what's the big deal?

Who have we got to play center field?

This team has got issues, you can’t be all done

You've added no players, except for your son!



"Now look", said Avila, it’s under control

I know what I’m doing, so don’t be a troll

Maybin was injured and started to age

And we have to get leaner, so I just turned the page’



‘The budget has limits, we have to cut back

It could take a while, so just cut me some slack

We have a rotation with three good young arms

We have plenty of stars, but there's squat on the farm



You have no idea what it's like to be me

You don’t know the grief that Mike Ilitch gives me"

So maybe the outfield and bullpen are thin

But the ol man is spending and he wants to win



I started to calm as I listened to him

The kids are alright with JV and Zimm

Miggy and the boys can score plenty of runs

This season could actually be kinda fun!

We didn't miss out by that much last year

If our guys can stay healthy, we've got nothing to fear

Perhaps the Tigers can’t be bought in the store

Maybe Avila knows a little bit more

Just one more thing, Al

What should I write?"

He just turned and said "Merry Christmas"

As he turned out the light