Spring training site
Lakeland, Fla.
2007 record
88-74, second in AL Central (eight games behind Cleveland)
New faces
RHP Denny Bautista (trade, Rockies); 3B Miguel Cabrera (trade, Marlins); OF Jacque Jones (trade, Cubs); SS Edgar Renteria (trade, Braves); LHP Dontrelle Willis (LHP, Marlins)
Biggest offseason acquisition
That list above is one of the greatest lists of offseason activity in MLB history. Cabrera is probably the key – one of the best young sluggers in baseball. It's a big ballpark in Detroit, however – will his power numbers translate?
Gone but not forgotten
The Tigers let Sean Casey leave and traded away big-time prospects Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin in the Marlins deal. But remember the name Jair Jurrgens, who went to Atlanta in the Renteria deal. The Tigers could regret giving up on the 22-year-old right-hander the most. He might start the season in Atlanta's rotation.
Spring training battles
The bullpen is essentially the only unsettled spot on the Tigers (and a couple of backup spots). With Joel Zumaya out until midseason (with a freak shoulder injury a moving boxes during the California wildfires), there are plenty of questions after closer Todd Jones and setup reliever Fernando Rodney.
Projected lineup
- CF Curtis Granderson
- 2B Placido Polanco
- DH Gary Sheffield
- RF Magglio Ordonez
- 3B Miguel Cabrera
- 1B Carlos Guillen
- SS Edgar Renteria
- C Ivan Rodriguez
- LF Jacque Jones
Projected starting rotation
- RHP Justin Verlander
- LHP Dontrelle Willis
- RHP Jeremy Bonderman
- LHP Kenny Rogers
- LHP Nate Robertson
Projected bullpen
- RHP Todd Jones (closer)
- RHP Fernando Rodney
- LHP Bobby Seay
- RHP Jason Grilli
- RHP Zach Miner
- LHP Tim Byrdak
- RHP Denny Bautista
Biggest strength
It's a tie between a very potent lineup and a 1-5 starting rotation that's the best in the American League. The Tigers have a first-ballot Hall of Famer batting eighth in Ivan Rodriguez and three strong left-handers in the rotation to go with Verlander, who has Cy Young Award potential.
Glaring weakness
This is the easiest call of all: the bullpen. The starting rotation and lineup should give Jones, Rodney & Co. a lot of leads. Whether they can hold them is their biggest question. Jones had 38 saves in 2007, but will turn 40 this April and had some shaky moments last season.
