Detroit Tigers
Key Additions: Joba Chamberlain, Rajai Davis, Ian Kinsler, Joe Nathan
Key Subtractions: Joaquin Benoit, Prince Fielder, Doug Fister, Jhonny Peralta
Biggest Strength: Starting Pitching
Biggest Weakness: Bullpen
The Tigers have arguably been the most consistently good team in the American League over the last three seasons, but have failed to win a World Series. They’ve just lacked that last piece or two to put them over the top. So, after falling in the ALCS to the Red Sox last year, General Manager Dave Dombrowski went big. He traded away power-hitting first baseman Fielder to Texas for second baseman Kinsler. While giving up a big, middle-of-the-order bat, Detroit did get an all-star second baseman, filling a position of need. The move will also mean Miguel Cabrera can move to first base, which will be less physically demanding on him after a season in which he dealt with several injuries. Prospect Nick Castellanos will now get a chance at the Major League level. The Tigers are poised, once again, to have one of the league’s better offenses.
And, once again, Detroit will have one of the most formidable pitching staffs. The 1-2-3 punch of Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and Anibal Sanchez can match up with anyone in the game, while Rick Porcello will return to the back end off the rotation. The change will come in the four spot. Dombrowski, somewhat surprisingly, traded away Fister this offseason to get Drew Smyly back into the rotation after a successful year in the bullpen. With Smyly no longer available late in games, that is one less reliable arm in the area that was Detroit’s Achilles’ heel last season. The Tigers’ bullpen ERA of 4.01 was fourth-worst in the A.L. and their relievers cost them throughout the year, especially in the playoffs. To help, they brought in closer Nathan, who had a 1.39 ERA last year and was fourth in the A.L. with 43 saves, which should be an improvement over Benoit. They’re also hoping Chamberlain will benefit from a change of scenery and that Ian Krol, acquired in the Fister deal, can transition to the American League.
