Filed Under » Detroit Tigers

A year after landing arguably the biggest free agent names, the Detroit Tigers have been relatively quiet this offseason, an act manager Jim Leyland attributes to appeasing his hibernating players.

"It was a long season. After the playoffs ended, the boys just hunkered down and never left the clubhouse," recalled Leyland. "As long as they emerge ready to play by the time the season starts, that's all that matters."

The issue of offseason hibernation is nothing new for Leyland, although this year represents the first time the entire team has participated. Previously, Miguel Cabrera spent his winter sleep in the equipment room.

"Oh yeah, we knew what we were getting with him. Every year the past four years, Miggy increases his fatty meat intake come October before nesting in the batting cages," whispered Leyland, carefully shining a flashlight into the clubhouse window to check on the players. "But this year with everyone together, it's special. It's a team bonding experience. We don't wanna ruin that."

The Detroit Tigers fell in Game 2 of the World Series on Thursday night to go down two games in the best-of-seven series, but it was hard to find a Tigers player without a smile on his face in the post-game locker room.

"Life is more than baseball," said Prince Fielder. "We're getting free tacos. What's to be upset about?"

Thanks to a Taco Bell promotion promising a free taco to everyone in the United States if a base was stolen in the World Series, the Tigers earned a free taco when San Francisco's Angel Pagan stole second in the eighth inning. The game was briefly halted as Tigers players stormed the field to celebrate.

"Dori-tos! Lo-cos! Ta-cos!" the Tigers chanted, lifting Pagan up into the air and carrying him around the field.

"I've got a team of fatasses," said Tigers manager Jim Leyland. "It is what it is. I'm hoping now that the tacos thing is over, they can finally focus on baseball. They've definitely been preoccupied so far with the taco promotion."