Detroit Tigers
2015 Win/Loss Record:
74-87, 5th in American League Central
Last Postseason
Appearance: 2014
Last World Series
Championship: 1984
Key Arrivals: Cameron
Maybin (CF), Jordan Zimmerman (P), Francisco Rodriguez (P)
Key Departures: Alex
Avila (C), Rajai Davis (OF), Alfredo Simon (P)
Manager: Brad
Ausmus, 3rd Year W/L 164-159
Overall Review: After four consecutive
AL Central division titles from 2011-14 that included three consecutive appearances in the
ALCS and a trip to the World Series, the Tigers seemed to take a step back last
year as they dropped to the basement in the division for only the second time
since their 119-loss season in 2003. But don’t expect the Tigers to stay down
for too long. Rather then re-building, they’re re-loading as they spared no
expense in bringing in a top-notch pitcher in Jordan Zimmerman, to replace
David Price—who they traded at the deadline in July—as the ace in the rotation.
The three-four-five spots in the
lineup could be one of the most dangerous in all of baseball, with Miguel
Cabrera, J.D. Martinez, and Victor Martinez. Staying healthy will be a concern
as both Cabrera and Victor Martinez missed time last year battling injuries.
Offense: Let’s start with right-fielder
J.D. Martinez, who was the Tigers’ best hitter last year, batting .282 and
leading the team in home runs (38) and RBIs (102). In only 119 games, Cabrera
still managed to hit 18 homers and drive in 76. And he again proved his Triple
Crown in 2012 was no fluke, as he batted .338. Designated hitter Victor
Martinez batted .245, hit 11 home runs and had 64 RBIs in only 120 games.
Rookie catcher James McCann had
a good first year as he hit .264, seven homers and 41 RBIs, numbers good enough
for the Tigers to let Alex Avilla go. Left-fielder Anthony Gose could be a
great lead-off hitter if he can improve his on base percentage. He batted only
.254 and drew only 45 walks. If he can increase both, his total of 23 stolen
bases will jump considerably. Second baseman Ian Kinsler played well in
2015, batting .296, hitting 11 home runs and added 73 RBIs.
Pitching: One year after losing
starting pitcher Max Scherzer to the Washington Nationals, the Tigers took a
starter from Washington, signing free agent Jordan Zimmerman. In 2015, Zimmerman
was 13-10, had a 3.66 ERA and struck out 164 batters. It was a bit of a down
year for him, but the whole Washington team underachieved. If Zimmerman can get his
ERA down to where it was in 2014 (2.66) and the Tigers’ bats give him some run
support, he can easily win 20 games. The number two spot in the rotation will
be filled by former ace, Justin Verlander, who was only 5-8 last year in 20
starts, and the Tigers would like to see just a glimpse of the pitcher
Verlander was several years ago. The sleeper in the rotation could very well be
left-hander Daniel Norris, who Detroit picked up from the Blue Jays in the
David Price trade. In 13 starts split between Toronto and Detroit, Norris was
3-2, had a 3.75 ERA and struck out 45 batters.
The Tigers will have a new
closer in Francisco Rodriguez, who saved 82 games over the past two seasons
with Milwaukee. K-Rod can still be as dominant as he was with the Angels a
decade ago, and being with a competitive team like Detroit will help him prove
that. Mark Lowe will be the set-up man. After posting an ERA of 1.00 in 34
games in the first half of the year with Seattle in 2015, Lowe struggled after
he was traded to Toronto (3.79 ERA in 23 games.) Look for his stats with the
Tigers to be somewhere in between those numbers.
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| Tigers' second sacker Ian Kinsler |
Prediction: The Tigers will not settle
in the basement for a second year in a row. In fact, they will improve enough
to make the postseason once again. While they won’t catch the Royals for the
division crown, they will finish second in the Central and will secure the
second Wild Card spot. But they’re not quite ready yet to once again represent
the American League in the World Series. Give it a couple of years.
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