2010 MLB Predictions/Previews: Detroit Tigers
Hard to believe, as many of us watch the snow fall outside, that the Boys of Summer are almost back. But it’s true; teams have reported to 2010 Major League Baseball training camps and it’s time to start our team-by-team baseball gambling previews for the year.
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MLB Team Preview – Detroit Tigers
The American League Central is crowded at the top, with the Tigers, Twins and White Sox almost interchangeable in the standings over the last few years. In Detroit’s case, it appears getting worse to get better is the path to an eventual division title. At least, that’s what their offseason moves tell me.
The Tigers spent the last several years as one of the better offensive clubs in the American League but declined last season and could continue that trend in 2010. Stalwarts like Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen are now aging, rickety veterans and the pop in their bats is rapidly evaporating. Brandon Inge was a nice story in the first half of 2009 but he’s still the same free swinger he always was. There’s almost no way trading Curtis Granderson to the New York Yankees helps the Tigers in the short term. Granderson was a solid defender with plus speed and 30-homer power.
Johnny Damon is at least a capable offensive replacement but he has nowhere to go but down at 36 years old.
Austin Jackson, acquired in the Granderson deal, could eventually become a poor man’s Granderson, but he’s no guarantee to stay in the majors and contribute at age 23. Detroit can only hope superstar Miguel Cabrera can carry the load yet again. The 26-year-old slugger has hit at least .300 with 30-plus homers in five of his six full seasons and driven in 100 runs in all of them. He’s also reportedly working to curb his drinking and lose weight; does that mean we haven’t even seen the best of Miggy yet? Scary. 
Starting pitching depth was a problem for Detroit in recent years but the cupboard is restocked. After an off 2008, Justin Verlander returned to his dominant form in 2009, leading the majors with 269 strikeouts. He should remain one of baseball’s best pitchers for the next decade. Rick Porcello needs to up his strikeout rate to remain effective, and his heavy rookie workload is a bit concerning, but he certainly impressed as a 20-year-old.
Max Scherzer, acquired from Arizona in a deal that sent All-Star Edwin Jackson to the desert, could be a diamond in the rough for Detroit this season. He was a top prospect when he broke into the bigs two years ago but he hasn’t quite become a household name after compiling a 9-15 record thus far. Tiger fans should view the glass as half-full instead.
Forget the overrated wins stat; Scherzer has 240 strikeouts and a 3.86 ERA in 226.1 career innings. He may have a learning curve as he converts to the tougher American League but he’s the real deal.
Like many teams entering 2010, the Tigers have shaky middle relief but a strong ninth-inning option if they can get there with a lead. Jose Valverde was a nice offseason addition, as he has the makeup to be an elite closer and has been just that more often than not over the last five years. If Joel Zumaya could ever realize his potential, he’d give the Tigers a formidable bridge to Valverde.
The Tigers have some things going for them – namely, the top of their starting rotation and Miguel Cabrera. But I’m not convinced they’ll score enough in 2010 to keep pace with the Twins and White Sox.
They’ll be competitive but closer to .500 than a playoff berth.
Tigers Prediction: Third, American League Central
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