Detroit Tigers Season Preview

Coming off a year hitting 38 home runs, driving in 126 runs, batting .328, and having arguably the best year of his career, things were only looking up for Tigers slugging first baseman Miguel Cabrera. However, in February, Cabrera was arrested for suspicion for drunk driving and resisting arrest. Miguel, who has had drinking and legal problems in the past, left all of his teammates stunned. Tigers catcher Alex Avila said, "It was obviously a shock to everybody... Millions of people have problems with alcohol throughout the entire world. It's not something that can't be overcome. It's something that can be overcome, but you need a lot of help.... You think about Miguel personally, and what he's going through." The off the field issues surrounding Cabrera will not be resolved quickly and he is currently on an MLB regulated program for his drinking problems. Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski, who appointed former major league outfielder Raul Gonzalaez to help Cabrera, said, "He's focused on the field, and he's dealing with the issues he needs to deal with. He'll do what's necessary to get back on track." Everything that is coming out from Tigers camp though is that his off the field transgression will not affect his on the field performance. Veteran manager Jim Leyland said abut Cabrera, "He's fine. There's absolutely no problem, whatsoever. He's playing baseball. He's playing every day. He's stronger than he's ever been and quicker than he's ever been. I think Miguel Cabrera is probably going to have the biggest year of his life." Cabrera will have some protection behind him with the acquisition of catcher Victor Martinez from the Red Sox. Although Martinez has never been known for his defense behind the plate, he is a great hitter and has always hit for power, while keeping his average above .300. Dombrowski said about the new signing, “We expect Victor to be in our lineup on a daily basis, serving primarily as our club’s designated hitter and catching two to three times a week. He also has the ability to fill in at first base, and his versatility allows us to keep a premier bat in our lineup every day. We’ve discussed this role with Victor, and both sides are very pleased with what he brings to the Tigers organization.” The Tigers also hope that injuries will not catch up to their veteran outfielder Magglio Ordonez, who only played 84 games last season. He fractured his ankle sliding into home in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on July 24th and he didn't play a game for the rest of the year. The numbers are there for Ordonez when he is on the field, as he has hit over .300 every year since 2007 and over .290 every year since 1999.

Projected starting lineup:

1. Austin Jackson, CF

2. Will Rhymes, 2B

3. Magglio Ordonez, RF

4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B

5. Victor Martinez, DH

6. Brennan Boesch, LF

7. Jhonny Peralta, SS

8. Alex Avila, C

9. Brandon Inge, 3B

Many Tiger fans hope that pitching will not derail their chances of winning the AL Central and making the playoffs. They ranked 25th in the major leagues last season in ERA at 4.30. After having a great rookie season in 2009, Porcello hit a sophomore slump last year. Porcello began the season 4-7 and was sent down to the minor leagues for a stint. Although Porcello finished the year 10-12 and posted an ERA just under 5, he finished the season very strong going 5-1 in his last seven starts. Jim Leyland admitted, "I think Porcello's a big key for our ballclub next year, to be honest with you. "He can get his breaking ball much more consistent, and if he does, he can be pretty good." Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski is confident in Porcello though as he said, "[Porcello] is one of our best starting pitchers... He has quality stuff and throws strikes. Rick is confident and mature beyond his years. And he has a very, very nasty sinker that gets him out of trouble." Last season, Justin Verlander became the first pitcher since Dwight Gooden to have 17 wins in four and of his first five years in the big leagues. He had a career low in ERA at 3.37 and a career low in WHIP at 1.16. Verlander was also 4th in the AL in wins at 18, 3rd in the AL with 224.1 innings pitched, and 4th in the AL in strikeouts with 225. Verlander has been the stud of the Tigers rotation since 2006 but the bigger surprise last season for the Tigers was former 1st round pick Max Scherzer. Coming off two extremely disappointing season with the Diamondbacks, Scherzer proved that he can be affective in the big leagues. He has very good stuff that includes a high 90's fastball with a good changeup and slider. The 26 year old starter will be huge for the Tigers, as they need a pitcher to step up and be a strong number 2 behind Verlander. Scherzer has shown some very good signs but has been inconsistent at time including an extremely poor spring traning this year, where he was 1-3 with a 10.38 ERA (yes 10.38 ERA). Tigers pitching coach Rick Knapp said about Scherzer's poor start to this season, “We figured out the issue. His arm gets a little too long and it doesn't take a direct route. That gets everything going in the direction. It's important to be in line, and get less torque in the delivery. What most people don't realize is how slight a difference there is in the position of the wrist at release point between an inside and outside pitch.” Scherzer had to get this issue corrected when he was in the minor leagues last season. After he returned to the Tigers from the minors, Scherzer was 3-1 with a 1.25 ERA in seven starts. Scherzer said, “It's a matter of establishing your fastball and off-speed stuff and making them [batters] uncomfortable.”

Projected starting rotation:
1. Justin Verlander
2. Max Scherzer
3. Rick Porcello
4. Brad Penny
5. Phil Coke
Projected closer:
Jose Valverde