The Detroit Tigers will be as good this year as in 2024; they have a roster built to last. They should win the American League Central. With many young, talented players, the Tigers should be good for years to come. Plus, they have enough payroll flexibility to add pieces at the trade deadline or sooner. The Tigers won 84 games last year and knocked the Houston Astros out of the playoffs last season. Do you think the Detroit Tigers will be good for years to come?
Detroit Tigers Starting Rotation
It all starts with the Tiger’s starting rotation. Tarek Skubal may be the best pitcher in baseball. He won the Cy Young award last season and is the genuine article. The real question for Detroit is who will step up to be the second starter. Skubal is a tough act to follow, so the team signed free agent Jack Flaherty to follow him.
Reese Olson gets the slot after Flaherty. The Tigers hope that Casey Mize, who is now two years removed from Tommy John Surgery and back surgeries and was left off the ALDS roster, will pitch in the fourth spot. Hard-throwing Jackson Jobe throws close to 100 miles per hour and should make the starting rotation for the team.
Bullpen
The Tigers bullpen is not as good as the Cleveland Guardians, but it is effective and creatively used by manager A. J. Hinch. Beau Brieske is the closer. He throws a 96 MPH fastball. Jason Foley and Will Vest can pitch anywhere. Tyler Holton and Sean Gunther are the left-handed pitchers in the Tiger’s bullpen. Recent additions Tommy Kahnle and John Brebbia add depth. And Kent Maeda lends an experienced hand to this pen.
Catching
Jake Rogers is the starting catcher for Detroit. He is excellent and could be an All-Star, especially if he regained the hitting power he showed with the Houston Astros. Backup Dillion Dingler had a good year hitting at Triple-A Toledo, and if he repeats that, the team will have a very strong tandem at Catcher.
Infield
Javier Baez has three years left on his $140 million contract. However, after they acquired him last season, the Tigers became impressed with Trey Sweeney. So, the Tigers would like to platoon Baez and Sweeney at shortstop. A newcomer from the Yankees, Gleyber Torres, will bump Colt Keith from second base to first base. Jace Jung is the young third baseman for the Tigers. He put up a .845 OPS in his first major league season.
The Tigers seem to be giving up on Spencer Torkelson. He was the first player selected in the 2000 draft but may be on the way out with his .221 career batting average. Zach McKinstry and Andy Ibanez provide depth for the Tigers in the infield.
Outfield
Riley Greene plays left field for the Tigers. He is poised to have a breakout season. Look for him to be a star this season.
Right fielder Matt Verling is like Greene because he has a great batting eye. However, his hard-hit ball percentage has decreased in each of the last three seasons, suggesting he may be on the back 9 of his career. Center field is manned by speedster Parker Meadows. Justyn-Henry Malloy may unseat Verling this spring.
Designated Hitter
Kerry Carpenter, the Emmanual Clase killing hero from the ALDS against the Cleveland Guardians, is back to get most of the at-bats at the designated hitter spot. Andy Ibanez and Baez will also be deployed here.
Detroit Management
A. J. Hinch is an excellent manager with a strong roster. Hinch may win American League Manager of the Year. The ‘pitching chaos’ approach to bullpen usage is the type of creative management fans are used to seeing from Hinch. General Manager Jeff Greenberg has also proved to be very good, and the Detroit Tigers are built to win now and in the future with payroll flexibility that is enviable.
Conclusion
Last season, the Tigers finished second in the American League Central, upsetting the Houston Astros in the American League Division series. They will not be surprising anyone this year. They will likely win the American League Central Division this season and for the next few seasons.
