Money bawl

That flushing sound is the 2008 Detroit Tigers season going down the toilet. Or is it that Flushing sound, as in Flushing, NY, the home of Shea Stadium and the many airplanes that whir overhead? It could be both. In last place in the American League Central heading into Tuesday play, the high-priced Tigers seem to have something in common with the 1992 Mets: they were retooled to win, but they're going down the drain.

After a 77-84 campaign in 1991 and tiring of a lineup made up of Rick Cerone, Kevin Elster, Vince Coleman and Hubie Brooks, the Mets bought what they though could win them the National League East. Enter six new starting position players in 1992: Todd Hundley, Willie Randolph, Dick Schofield, Eddie Murray, Darryl Boston and Bobby Bonilla. The Mets also brought in Bret Saberhagen to solidify the starting rotation. Many considered New York as talented as any team in baseball until they promptly imploded, losing 90 games to wind up back in 5th place just like the year before.

The Tigers made similar changes to their roster for 2008. Slugging 3rd baseman Miguel Cabrera was to become the anchor of the left side of the infield along with newly-acquired shortstop Edgar Renteria. Jacque Jones, brought in to stop what had been a revolving door of misfits in left, would be counted on as a steady offensive contributor. Dontrelle Willis, pried away from Florida in the Cabrera deal, was expected to regain his unorthodox form as one of the top lefties in baseball. It hasn't happened.

Cabrera's hitting .252, almost 60 points below his career average. Renteria's on base percentage is a paltry .295. Jones hit .152 and was cut. Willis is struggling to get healthy, having thrown just five innings this season. It's not just the newcomers' fault. Plenty of old hands like Gary Sheffield (.208 avg.) and Nate Robertson (1-4, 6.64 ERA) share the blame. But if the terrible Tigers are to continue down this miserable path, it is the big names they brought in who will feel the hottest white rays of a fading spotlight. Detroit is in the American League Central toilet, caught in a downward spiral while clunkers like Kansas City and Minnesota remain buoyantly optimistic for the long summer ahead.

Statistically speaking, the Tigers are more than likely to turn this around, but if it is history that serves as our guide then even the talented 1993 Mets -- the all-too-similar remnants of that '92 purchase party -- will tell you it doesn't always work out. Another year removed from trying to buy a championship New York took another step in the wrong direction, slumping to 103 losses and a last-place NL East finish, even with the addition of a talented, young Jeff Kent to the lineup. Thanks to those low flyovers in Flushing Meadows some of the booing din of Mets fans' was washed out below. Here's hoping there's an airport near Comerica.