Beat reporter Jason Beck answers fans' questions in the latest installment of the mailbag.

The Tigers seemingly had an early present last week when a report suggested that free-agent shortstop Edgar Renteria was about to sign with the Giants. Instead, they head into the holiday shopping season with a key decision to make.

Veteran right-hander Freddy Garcia may have hit a speed bump on the comeback trail. Garcia, a free agent who finished the 2008 season with Detroit, left a game in the Venezuelan Winter League on Thursday after two innings due to shoulder discomfort, according to Venezuelan newspaper El Universal.

It appears one name can be taken off the list of candidates for the Detroit Tigers ' vacant shortstop job.

With the Motor City going through some tough economic times, the Tigers are even more focused on their charity endeavors and giving back to the community.

While it now appears unlikely that the Padres will deal Khalil Greene this offseason, the Tigers still have plenty of options available to find a starting shortstop.

The Arizona sun was kind to several Tigers prospects. Play wrapped up in the Arizona Fall League last week. Seven players from the Tigers' system took part in the action with the Mesa Solar Sox.

The Red Sox and three other teams have reportedly made offers to right-hander Junichi Tazawa.