just a five percent chance of survival after rupturing his spleen. The tears of joy

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 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Jersey . It just didnt show when he hit the ice. Berra made 42 saves and Kris Russell scored at 1:32 of overtime, lifting the Calgary Flames to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night. Discount Clippers Jerseys . Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. http://www.cheapclippersjerseyschina.com/ . Kuznetsov, who was selected by the Capitals in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has been playing for his hometown team Chelyabinsk Traktor of the KHL. Womens Clippers Jerseys .Y. - New Orleans forward Anthony Davis was chosen Friday to replace the injured Kobe Bryant in the NBA All-Star game that will be played in his home city. Clippers Jerseys From China .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. We presented ESPN readers with 12 of the greatest Team GB moments at the Rio Games. With the likes of Mo Farahs double-double and Charlotte Dujardins efforts aboard Valegro left on the cutting room floor, here are the nations top three, as voted for by you.1. Jack Laugher and Chris MearsNever before had Britain won an Olympic diving gold, but that would all change when Jack Laugher and Chris Mears stepped onto their 3m springboards on day five. The British pair pipped Americas Sam Dorman and Mike Hixon to victory, while the much-fancied Chinese duo of Qin Kai and Cao Yuan had to settle for bronze.Gold in Rio capped a remarkable personal journey for Mears. Seven years ago he was given just a five percent chance of survival after rupturing his spleen. The tears of joy he cried with his friend Laugher showed just what it meant to the duo. Among the many history makers of Team GB, divings golden boys are surely worthy winners of our readers Best Moment award.2. Laaura Trott and Jason KennyFive golds between them saw Trott and Kenny become Team GBs power couple in Rio.dddddddddddd They triumphed with teammates early in the track cycling programme, but it was the final day of velodrome action that saw their legend really unfold. Trott claimed gold in the womens omnium before Kenny brought down the house with victory in the mens keirin. Their smiles were two of the brightest in the British set-up, and there is the promise of more to come at Tokyo 2020.3. Adam PeatyHe was the man who kicked off Britains gold rush with victory in the 100m breaststroke on day two of the Games. Peaty went into the pool as world champion and favourite, pressure that might have weighed down a normal 21-year-old. But Peaty is not a normal lad. It was not enough to win the gold -- he did so in a world record time too. ' ' '