What does 2010 hold for the Tigers? As long as it’s not a loss in the 163rd game to the freaking Twins, I’m going to be happy. Actually truth be told I expect big things from this team. There has been some good moves made along with some questionable ones. I put great trust in what Dave Dombrowski does, so hopefully this is the year we return to form and head back to the post-season. Lets take a look at the 2010 Tigers
Starting Pitching
Justin Verlander and Rick Porcello anchor the top two spots in the rotation, this much we know, and barring any kind of unfortunate injury, these two have too hold the fort down. Max Scherzer will be the third started, coming over from Arizona in the Edwin Jackson deal. The back end of the rotation is probably the biggest question mark on this team. Jeremy Bonderman will start out with the fourth spot and Dontrelle Willis will be the fifth starter. Neither one of these guys has pitched much in the last couple of years, and both really need to return to Major League form if the Tigers are going to have a chance to go back to the playoffs.
Relief Pitching
Off season acquisition Jose Valverde will be the closer. This guy was very good in Houston and it will be interesting to see if he can transfer his success into the American League. I think the biggest question revolving around the bullpen is can Joel Zumaya stay healthy and pitch for a full season? This guy has pitched something like 88 innings over the last 3 seasons. He needs to stay healthy and return to his over powering self to give the team some late inning options. With Bobby Seay likely out for the year, Fu-Te Ni will look to fill the role of middle relief left hander. He was very good in 2009, appearing in 36 games and only allowing 9 earned runs. Phil Coke came over from the Yankees in the Curtis Granderson deal. Coke had an impressive .209 BAA, but he did give up 30 ER in 60IP. He’s another lefty that the Tigers will be relying on to get left handed hitters out in late innings. Ryan Perry will look to build on his strong rookie campaign. He is probably the Tiger’s top option in the eighth inning. This kid was so impressive, I expect big things out of Mr. Perry. Eddie Bonnine and Zack Miner will round out the pen, you know what you are going to get from both of these guys, they are both good options in long relief. Overall I think the bullpen is by far the most improved area of this Tigers team.
Outfield
Here is where things get interesting. Two new faces will start in the outfield. Johnny Damon will play left and Youngster Austin Jackson will start in center. Jim Leyland has said that Damon will also DH, but I don’t honestly know how long the Damon experiment will last. While I love the leadership he brings to the clubhouse, there is a guy who will be sitting on the bench who is ready to break out in my opinion. I fully expect Ryan Raburn to be an everyday player by the All-Star break. I know he needs to improve on defense, but this kid is such a good hitter, I don’t think it makes much sense to keep him on the bench. On the plus side Raburn can also play second base, third base, first base, and he can catch if the need arises. Austin Jackson is in a tough position imo. Here is a young kid whose expected to fill some pretty big shoes. He has all of the tools to be a quality Major League player, but I don’t think we should expect to much out of him to soon. He has played great this spring Hitting .343 in 35 AB’s, he has also stolen 3 bases, so yeah he’s got tools. Mags will be back in right, here’s hoping he can play like he did in the second half last year. Mags is Mags, He’s going to hit right around .300, not strike out a whole lot, and drive in some runs. The power may have fallen off a bit, but he has looked very good this spring. Clete Thomas and Don Kelly will round out the outfield. Clete probably starts the season in Toledo, but he will be called up at some point, early in the year.
Infield
Some old faces and some new ones will make up the Tigers infield in 2010. Brandon Inge and Miguel Cabrerra return at the corner infield spots. Inge coming off offseason knee surgery, looks to regain his early 2009 form. In the second half of the season you could tell that the knees were really bothering him, as his production fell off dramatically. Cabrerra has to be mentioned in MVP talks, like he is every year. This guy is an absolute beast, he crushes balls like Oprah crushes donuts. He came into camp this year in great shape, and since he has given up the booze, I look for Miguel to have the best season of his young career. It’s hard to believe this guy isn’t even 27 yet. Adam Everett returns at shortstop where, not a big offensive star but a solid defensive player none the less. The new guy in the infield is Scott Sizemore. The 25 year old has been called upon to take Placido Polanco’s place at second base. He was the Tiger’s representative at the Future’s Game in 2009. WOTS is that Sizemore has all of the tools to possibly be an All-Star one day. He has some speed and he has some power. An ankle injury late season has slowed him down a bit this spring, but hopefully he will be fine once he gets going. Ramon Santiago returns once again to backup second and shortstop. This is the same guy we’ve seen the last 4 years, a solid backup who plays the field well, and can deliver at the plate in clutch situations. Don Kelly and Ryan Raburn will also get their shot playing infield sporadically.
Catchers
Gerald Laird will again be the starting catcher. Laird should’ve probably won a Gold Glove last year, in fact I’d being willing to bet that he would’ve won, had his offensive numbers been better. Laird threw out 40% of would be base stealers last year, an almost Pudge like performance. Yet Laird really struggled at the plate hitting .225 with no power. He has faired a bit better this spring, He and Lloyd McClendon went back and retooled his batting stance, which will hopefully lead to some more success at the plate. Backing up Laird is Alex Avila. The 23 year old catcher made some noise last year in his first trip to the show. This kid can hit, there is no doubt about that. He has a little bit of power, and he’s a lefty bat which the Tiger’s need. I don’t think he will replace Laird as the everyday catcher this year, but he is definitely the future.
Predictions
I think the Central Division is wide open, the White Sox, Twins, and Tigers all have a legit chance at winning the division. The Tigers have improved enough that I would pick them as the favorite to win the division right now. It doesn’t hurt that the Twins have lost Joe Nathan for the year. I’m going to go out on a limb and say the Tiger’s finish the season 93-69 and win the Central.
