2008 Record: 74-88
Key Additions:
Brandon Lyon (P)
Edwin Jackson (P)
Gerald Laird (C)
Adam Everett (SS)
Key Losses:
Edgar Renteria (SS)
Kenny Rogers (P)
Kyle Farnsworth (P)
Todd Jones (P)
Freddy Garcia (P)
Projected Lineup:
1. Curtis Granderson CF
2. Placido Polanco 2B
3. Magglio Ordonez RF
4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
5. Carlos Guillen LF
6. Gary Sheffield DH
7. Gerald Laird C
8. Brandon Inge 3B
9. Adam Everett SS
Even with all the Tigers struggles last year they had an amazing lineup. Granderson is a star in the making, and we should see his steal totals go up now that he is healthy. Magglio and Cabrera are studs, and should knock in just under 300 RBIs between the two of them. Sheffield is a big question mark, but for some reason I think he still has enough in the take for a 20 HR 75 RBI season, which is all the Tigers will need from him.
Projected Rotation:
1. Justin Verlander
2. Armando Galarraga
3. Jeremy Bonderman
4. Edwin Jackson
5. Dontrelle Willis
CL Brandon Lyon
Tigers pitching was awful last season. Verlander was a huge disappointment, and players like Willis and Rogers didn't hold their weight. The lone surprise was Galarraga. If he can build on what he did last season and Verlander can be his old self, then the Tigers should be much improved. Willis won't do anything and will be out of the rotation by June, but I really like the addition of Edwin Jackson. He had the stuff to be a hell of a pitcher. His stats won't blow you away but I think he will win between 12-14 games this year. What scares me with this team is the bullpen. It sucked last year, and I don't think they did enough to fix it.
Minor Watch:
Rick Porcello - This will be the guy who takes Willis spot as some point this season. Dominated at Class A with 2.66 ERA. He is only 20 years old, but this is the kind of guy you can bring up early, and could be the key to the Tigers season.
Overall:
I am really torn with the Tigers this year. I think Verlander will have a "comeback" year, and I really like their lineup, but their bullpen is terrible. The key will be the bullpen, and that is just too bad, because I don't think they have enough arms back their to get it done. Still, they improve from last season.
Record: 83-79
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