| Scott Miller's Take |
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This always has been one of America's great baseball towns, and what a job GM Dave Dombrowski and crew have done of reawakening it. After acquiring Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis this winter, the Tigers are close to selling out the entire season at Comerica Park. Considering how Michigan has the worst unemployment rate in the country largely because of the lagging auto industry, I'd say Tigers fans are doing their best to match the club's investment. Video Outlook
Strengths
Motown's newest assembly line features MVP candidates Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez, perennial slugger Gary Sheffield, one of the all-time great hitting catchers in Ivan Rodriguez, potent double-play duo Edgar Renteria and Placido Polanco and cagey Carlos Guillen. The club record of 957 runs scored by the 1934 Tigers of Hank Greenberg, Charlie Gehringer, Billy Rogell and Goose Goslin is in serious jeopardy.
Weaknesses
These Tigers should score six runs a game. Now, can they limit their opponents to three or four? After Justin Verlander, there are more questions surrounding the pitching staff than manager Jim Leyland would prefer. Kenny Rogers is 43 and missed much of last season with a blood clot. Jeremy Bonderman is a good pitcher who has yet to become a great pitcher. Leyland says he's a consistent change-up from becoming a great major league pitcher. Nate Robertson has a history of elbow issues. And set-up men Fernando Rodney (out until at least mid-April with a sore shoulder) and Joel Zumaya (out until at least July following shoulder surgery).
Difference Maker
Dontrelle Willis. Those pitching questions? Willis could go a long way toward solving them if he returns to his 2003 and 2005 All-Star form. He fell to 10-15 with a 5.17 ERA last summer, and if you convert that ERA from the NL to the AL, I think it comes to about 9.50. Ominous sign: Willis' last spring start was so rough he finished it by heading to the bullpen to work on locating his fastball. That's the equivalent of cramming for finals because you're not ready to take the test.
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| Top Prospects |
| 1. |
Yorman Bazardo, SP (R) |
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A candidate to open year in bullpen, but a starter down the road.
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| 2. |
Virgil Vasquez, SP (R) |
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Awful results in bigs last year moves Bazardo ahead in pecking order.
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| 3. |
Jeff Larish, 1B |
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Getting old, but has great power and draws a lot of walks.
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| 4. |
Rick Porcello, SP (R) |
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Recently drafted; signability problems dropped big talent to Tigers.
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| 5. |
Jordan Tata, SP (R) |
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Running out of time; will need a string of injuries to make impact.
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Complete AL Central prospects |
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Curtis Granderson will start the season on the 15-day DL after breaking his finger. (Getty Images)
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| Team Info |
2007 record: 88-74 (2nd in AL Central)
Manager: Jim Leyland, 3rd year (183-141)
Stadium: Comerica Park (41,000; grass)
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| Lineup |
| No. | Player | Comment |
| 1. | C. Granderson, CF | 3rd player ever to record 20 SB, HR, 3B and 2B in a single season. Starts on the DL |
| 2. | P. Polanco, 2B | Career highs in runs (105), hits (200), doubles (36) and RBI (67) in '07 |
| 3. | G. Sheffield, DH | Rebound from shoulder surgery translated to slow spring start |
| 4. | M. Ordonez, RF | First Tiger since 1961 to win AL batting title |
| 5. | M. Cabrera, 3B | His arrival from Florida could put Detroit back in contention |
| 6. | C. Guillen, 1B | Started strong in the spring in his transition from SS to 1B |
| 7. | E. Renteria, SS | Two-time Gold Glover takes over SS from Guillen |
| 8. | I. Rodriguez, C | The veteran's age (36) didn't stop him this spring with a league-high 7 HR |
| 9. | J. Jones, LF | Addition from the Cubs to add a lefty batter in a heavy right-handed lineup |
| Pitching |
| Rotation | Comment |
| 1. |
J. Verlander (R) |
Led Detroit in IP (201.2), W (18), and Ks (183) last season |
| 2. |
K. Rogers (L) |
At 43, can he still throw close to 200 innings? |
| 3. |
J. Bonderman (R) |
Hard work and rehab, not surgery, could put him back on track |
| 4. |
N. Robertson (L) |
Led the club in losses (13) last season but can throw close to 200 innings |
| 5. |
D. Willis (L) |
Needs to rebound from a career-high 5.17 ERA with the Marlins |
| Closer |
Comment |
| T. Jones (R) |
39-year-old closer with 301 career saves |
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