The Tigers are not the same team from the last couple of years separating with several of their regular cast members. Detroit did answer one of their weak spots in the lineup by getting Ian Kinsler from the Texas Rangers. If Kinsler plays like the Ian Kinsler of old, he could wind up being a be a 30/30 type of player. The unfortunate part of getting Kinsler was giving up Prince Fielder. Fielder has been the center point of this lineup and has protected Miguel Cabrera in his MVP seasons. It will be interesting to see how Cabrera does without Fielder to back him up. The Tigers also lost second baseman Omar Infante to free agency. Infante isn't a huge name and he probably never will be, but Infante is a great base on balls hitter and really solidifies any team's needs. The last subtraction/addition came from Doug Fister. The Tigers sent Fister to the Nationals in trade for Steve Lombardozzi, Ian Krol and a couple of minor league prospects. Lombarozzi will help fill the shoes of Omar Infante, being that Lombardozzi can play all infield positions. The Tigers will definitely have a new look this year, and first year manager Brad Ausmus will have his hands full without a doubt. The bright side is that with veterans like Justin Verlander, Matt Scherzer, Miguel Cabrera and Tori Hunter the Tigers will still be in the hunt for the AL Central crown.
Potential Opening Day Lineup
| Potential Opening Rotation
|