The Tigers suffered one of the worst moments in franchise history last year as they surrendered a 3 game lead with 4 to play. They dumped salary in the off season with some unpopular moves. They then signed Johnny Damon and Jose Valverde. Before the Valverde and Damon signings, the Tigers were looking at a 75 win season. With Minnesota losing Joe Nathan for the season, the division appears wide open. If the White Sox stumble, the Tigers can win the Central.
Prediction: 85 wins (10 GB Chicago)
The Roster:
http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/team/roster_active.jsp?c_id=det
Infield
Miguel Cabrera: MVP Candidate and mean drunk. Did he grow up in the off season after helping the team blow the lead to the Twins?
Adam Everett: Re-signing Everett was a smart move. According to some new saber metric now in vogue, Everett was the third best SS in the AL last year.
Brandon Inge: Inge was the first half MVP last year. Injuries cut into his season. His versatility makes him very valuable even if he does not match his All Star season.
Ramon Santiago: Solid backup.
Scott Sizemore: Rookie and question mark. It will take a Herculean effort to replace Polanco.
Catchers
Alex Avilla: Nice opening act last year. We will see if he can continue.
Gerald Laird: Should have won the Gold Glove last year. Too bad he could not hit.
Outfield
Johnny Damon: He’s beginning to approach Hall of Fame numbers. He will have to play 3 more healthy seasons to get to 3000 hits. Not bad for a guy that can’t throw. His veteran leadership is counted on to keep the clubhouse in line. On the other hand, he’s approaching the age where skills begin to seriously decline.
Carlos Guillen: Speaking of serious decline…
Austin Jackson: Rookie and a bigger question mark than Sizemore. I hope we were not sold a lemon by a snakeoil salesman.
Don Kelly: Versatile and a career minor leaguer. Classic AAAA player.
Magglio Ordonez: Which Maggs shows up? The first half disaster or the second half clutch performer? Like Damon, he’s approaching that age…
Ryan Rayburn: Vastly improved last season and even improved during the season. He should DH over Guillen, but Carlos makes a lot of money.
Pitchers
Jeremy Bonderman: Has not been healthy since 2006. He is big question mark.
Eddie Bonine: Career minor leaguer. Does he finally catch on? He is a guy to root for.
Phil Coke: Solid
Fu-Te Ni: Potential MVP and Cy Young Award winner. Without Fu-Te Ni, the Tigers are nowhere. Ok, seriously he is good in his role.
Ryan Perry: Nice rookie season. Let’s see if he improves.
Rick Porcello: Robbed of the Rookie of the Year Award, Porcello hopes to avoid the sophomore jinx. With his style, he should be ok.
Max Scherzer: Pencil in 10-12 with an ERA around 5.
Brad Thomas: Another situational lefty. His career ERA is 9.89 in 11 games (5 starts).
Jose Valverde: The difference between 76 wins and 85 wins. Let’s hope he changes the intro music (see below):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9V_bBF6LbU
Justin Verlander: Cy Young Candidate.
Dontrelle Willis: Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Joel Zumaya: Expect nothing/Hope for 2006
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