"He was serious. Next year starts this year.

Next year starts next week, in fact.

"I have to start preparing (for 2012)," Tigers ace Justin Verlander said Thursday. "Right now I'm trying to prepare my golf game. But next week, I start preparing for 2012. I start working out next week.

"There's not much down time. You have to prepare to be successful."

Verlander acknowledged that the way this season ended, in the American League Championship Series, left a bitter after-taste. But he thinks the team will use it to its advantage.

When asked if he thinks the current core of the Tigers eventually will win it all, Verlander said, "Yes, I do.

"I don't care what people say, I think time together as a team, playing with the same core group does have a positive effect," Verlander said. "We knocked on the door this year, but I think that will leave a bitter taste in the mouths of some guys who want more, especially the guys who've never been there before. I know that's the way I felt in 2006."