The Detroit Tigers will hit the spring training fields in Lakeland Fla. the first week of March. This year Tigers owner Mike Illich has given fans a lot to talk about. The Motor City Kitties have been knocking on the door for a World Series title for the past several years, and after an offseason of key re-signings and free agent pickups, 2012 may be the Tiger’s year.
Key Addition
Undoubtedly the biggest pick-up this off-season has been Prince Fielder. Prince came with a steep price, a nine-year $214 million dollar contract. What the Tigers get for all this money is a guy who has a lifetime batting average of .282, who is good for 35 to 40 home runs per year, and who is a serviceable first baseman as well. Complimented by the big bat of Miguel Cabrera, the Tigers are set to feast on AL Central pitching staffs this summer.
Key Loss
Victor Martinez will be out for the year after suffering a knee injury in the off-season. It’s always unfortunate see such a good player gone for the year. Martinez was slated on the depth chart as a DH, but he is also a great catcher and first baseman. A guy like this provides valuable lineup versatility for the team. The good news is, when Victor comes back there will be even more lineup versatility with Fielder able to play first and Cabrera, who began his career at third base with the Marlins able move back over to the hot corner.
Depth Chart
DH: Prince Fielder
Catcher: Alex Avila
First Base: Miguel Cabrera
Second Base: Ryan Raburn
Third Base: Brandon Inge
Shortstop: Jhonny Peralta
Left Field: Delmon Young
Center Field: Austin Jackson
Right Field: Don Kelly
Position Battles
Most positions are pretty well locked up. Watch for a position battle in right field. Don Kelly and Brennan Boesch have similar career numbers. Who’s starting in right may very well depend on which player is hot at the moment. Another contested position may be second base. Ryan Raburn is first on the depth cart but backup Ramon Santiago has similar numbers and is a switch hitter.
Pitching
Do these guys have anyone besides Justin Verlander? Why, yes they do. In the 2011 campaign Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello had 15 and 14 wins respectively. Like many ball clubs, there are more question marks towards the bottom of the pitching rotation. Some guys to watch out for this year are Doug Faster, Jacob Turner, and Andy Oliver.
The bullpen is one of Detroit’s hidden gems. Most fans know that closer Jose Valverde led the majors in saves in 2011 but don’t forget about Al Alburquerque and his 1.87 ERA and Octavio Dotel and his .98 WHIP in 2011. Middle relief man Joaquin Benoit had a .295 ERA last year but the prior year in Tampa Bay, he chalked up a 1.34 ERA for the 2010 season.
Kristian Eberwein is a sports writer and lifetime resident of Central Florida.