I understand that the Tigers have to trade someone of value to get capable players in return. But of all the young pitchers the Tigers have developed in recent years, Weaver is the one you can look at and envision as the staff ace — in the mold of Jack Morris — for years to come.

“If they’re going to rebuild, they don’t need to break up this core,” said Young, who was unable to come off the disabled list because of continuing soreness related to a hernia. “(Jeff) Weaver, (Robert) Fick, (Matt) Anderson, Higginson, that’s a pretty good mix. These are guys you can win with.

There was a little bit of a stir Tuesday, when three New York newspapers mentioned Higginson in connection with the Yankees. There was a lot less of a stir Tuesday night, by which time the Yankees had made clear that Higginson is far down their wish-list, if he’s even on it at all.

Really, it comes down to this: if Tigers owner Mike Ilitch gives Dombrowski an extra $20 million to play with, the Tigers could be quite competitive in 2003 or 2004. If Ilitch leaves the payroll where it is (relative to the other clubs), it’s going to take a little longer. But the Tigers will be competitive.

Tigers shortstop Omar Infante was placed on the seven-day disabled list at Triple-A Toledo, retroactive to Saturday, with a back problem. He will undergo examinations Monday. Infante might get a chance to play for the Tigers before the year is over, but he’s hitting just .221 and Shane Halter has been adequate for the big-league club. Don’t expect much more than stolen bases from Infante when he finally gets the call