Image: Adam Bettcher/GettyImages
2023 Record: 78-84 (.481 win%, 2nd in Division)
2024 Payroll: $92,813,333 (21st)
2024 Projected Lineup:
1. CF Parker Meadows, .231 AVG/.302 OBP/.381 SLG, 1.5 fWAR
2. RF Riley Greene, .270 AVG/.339 OBP/.438 SLG, 2.8 fWAR
3. 1B Spencer Torkelson, .243 AVG/.329 OBP/.466 SLG, 2.1 fWAR
4. DH Kerry Carpenter, .256 AVG/.316 OBP/.443 SLG, 0.9 fWAR
5. LF Mark Canha, .262 AVG/.362 OBP/.411 SLG, 1.8 fWAR
6. 2B Colt Keith, .257 AVG/.320 OBP/.431 SLG, 1.7 fWAR
7. SS Javier Báez, .238 AVG/.284 OBP/.387 SLG, 1.1 fWAR
8. 3B Gio Urshela, .277 AVG/.322 OBP/.416 SLG, 1.2 fWAR
9. C Jake Rogers, .209 AVG/.278 OBP/.396 SLG, 1,6 fWAR
10. UTL Matt Vierling, .257 AVG/.322 OBP/.389 SLG, 1.0 fWAR
2024 Projected Starting Rotation:
1. LHP Tarik Skubal, 158.0 IP/3.47 ERA/1.14 WHIP, 3.7 fWAR
2. RHP Jack Flaherty, 153.0 IP/4.46 ERA/1.37 WHIP, 1.5 fWAR
3. RHP Kenta Maeda, 133.0 IP/4.29 ERA/1.26 WHIP, 1.7 fWAR
4. RHP Casey Mize, 112.0 IP/4.62 ERA/1.31 WHIP, 0.9 fWAR
5. RHP Reese Olson, 127.0 IP/4.28 ERA/1.34 WHIP, 1.6 fWAR
2024 Projected Top 4 Relievers:
1. RHP Alex Lange, 65.0 IP/4.04 ERA/1.37 WHIP, 0.4 fWAR
2. RHP Jason Foley, 63.0 IP/4.00 ERA/1.32 WHIP, 0.4 fWAR
3. LHP Andrew Chafin, 62.0 IP/4.07 ERA/1.33 WHIP, 0.3 fWAR
4. LHP Tyler Holton, 61.0 IP/3.89 ERA/1.24 WHIP, 0.3 fWAR
What Baseball Means to Detroit?
Baseball holds a significant cultural and emotional importance to the city of Detroit. The sport has been deeply rooted within the city’s history, dating back over a century. Detroit is home to one of the oldest and most historic franchises in all of Major League Baseball, the Tigers.
The Tigers have been a source of pride and unity for Michigan residents for generations. The team’s successes and failures have been woven into the fabric of the city’s identity. Recently, struggles on the field have caused a decrease in attendance and viewership. There has seemingly been a slight disconnect between the city of Detroit and the Tigers’ front office in recent years. Fans are optimistic about a turnaround in Detroit, but without significant improvements and organizational buy-in, this disconnect will only continue to grow.
Beyond the team’s recent struggles on the field, baseball has played a role in bringing communities together all across the state of Michigan. Tigers games at Comerica Park serve as a gathering place where people from all walks of life come to cheer on their team, share in the excitement of the game, and create lasting memories with family and friends. The city of Detroit is looking to bounce back this year and pack Comerica like they did back in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
Overall, baseball has served as a symbol of resilience and hard work for the city of Detroit. During challenging times, such as recent economic downturns and ongoing social unrest, the Tigers have provided a source of pride for residents of this historic city. The team’s resilience on the field in recent years has often mirrored that of the people of Detroit. Baseball holds a special place in the hearts of Detroiters, representing not only a beloved pastime and storied franchise, but also a symbol of unity, pride, and grit.
2023-24 Offseason Recap:
While some may argue that the Detroit Tigers remained inactive this offseason, such a claim would overlook their noteworthy efforts. The Tigers had a somewhat eventful period of moves, making multiple free-agent signings and one major trade.
Among their acquisitions were pitchers Kenta Maeda, Jack Flaherty, Andrew Chafin, and Shelby Miller, each bringing valuable experience to the roster. Maeda secured a two-year contract, signaling the team’s commitment to strengthening their rotation for the future. All three of the other signings were only one-year deals. The signing of Flaherty might raise some eyebrows, as some may question his performance potential. Despite my reservations, the Tigers invested significantly in him, showcasing their belief in his abilities, despite throwing limited innings in recent seasons.
The Tigers also signed third basemen Gio Urshela a couple weeks into free agency. This grab addressed the lacking third base position and should serve as a decent bat in the mid-to-late part of the order. Defensively, Urshela should be an asset alongside Báez on the left side of the infield. Overall, the Tigers’ efforts in free agency deserve some props, and though they refrained from making any headline-grabbing moves, they made calculated decisions that should positively impact the team’s performance this season.
With regards to trading, the Tigers’ activity was less than that of other organizations in what was a trade-heavy offseason. They only made one major deal involving the acquisition of outfielder Mark Canha from the Brewers. Opportunities also presented themselves to dump surplus players who have been underperforming like Nick Maton and Tyler Nevin, moves I believe the front office executed well. However, more notable trade activity was expected this offseason and fell short of anticipation.
Some other notable moves that happened beyond just player acquisitions is the decision to secure Jason Benetti as the TV play-by-play announcer and extend top prospect Colt Keith‘s contract. These moves both get an A in my book as they show their commitment to top prospects and bring in arguably the best voice in the game in Jason Benetti. Overall, this was a decent offseason for the Tigers, better than last year for sure, but no major headlines were made by Detroit.
2024 Regular Season Preview:
The Tigers come into this season with high expectations and somewhat of a buzz surrounding the ball club. They are poised to show the league that their success at the end of last season was not merely a fluke. Anticipate the Tigers to dominate weaker AL Central opponents such as the White Sox and the Royals, while their struggles against tougher competition most definitely will continue.
The pitching rotation appears promising, particularly with the solid depth beyond Flaherty. The bullpen, anticipated to outperform last season, is expected to shore up any deficiencies left by the starters. This should be an improvement from last season and help the Tigers as they look to improve their staff in 2024.
Offensively, the addition of Colt Keith and the potential for players such as Parker Meadows to break out may compensate for the lack of production at the third base position. The veteran presence of Mark Canha will also look to provide a spark in the middle part of the order.
There is quite a bit of anticipation surrounding this Detroit squad, and the introduction of some new role players could be what they need to make a late push. Personally, I would not expect the Tigers to make the playoffs in a top-heavy AL, but stranger things have happened. Keep an eye out for the Tigers this year as they look to rebuild and bounce back from recent poor performances.
Player to Watch #1: C Jake Rogers
You might not think of Jake Rogers as someone who is under the radar coming into this season. He should be the starting catcher for the Tigers this year, after all. But, what he showed from about June onward last season was quietly impressive to those who follow the team closely. Expect him to outperform his predictions this season as he returns to the league for a second season and looks to cement himself as one of the stronger players at the catcher position.
Player to Watch #2: CF Parker Meadows
Keep an eye out for Parker Meadows this season. This is a rather bold prediction, but Meadows could be the centerfielder the Tigers’ have been looking for to lock down the position for the next several years. He should be their leadoff hitter this season and provide a spark offensively. It’s going to be fascinating to watch his development and production for the ball club throughout the season.
Player to Watch #3: LHP Tarik Skubal
Tarik Skubal looks to lock down the Tigers’ rotation this season as the teams ace. Skubal has performed adequately in the past, but I’m optimistic he will be a breakout star for the team this season as the rotation beefs up and some veterans enter the clubhouse. Keep an eye on Skubal as he looks to prove a lot of people wrong and have a career-defining year for this Tigers staff.
Position Group to Watch: Starting Rotation
The starting rotation for this year’s Detroit Tigers should prove to be a strength. In the past, this has not held true for the Tigers, but, the addition of some veterans and various quality arms looks to flip the script. It’s time for the narrative about the Tigers pitching woes to be rewritten, and I believe this is the year the starters shine.
2024 Record Prediction: 70-92
Although this season looks somewhat promising for the Tigers compared to years past, I am relatively realistic about what will happen for Detroit this year. Similar to the past few years, Detroiters are high on the Tigers and think that this may finally be the year they turn it around and find some success. While I hope this happens, I think they will struggle with the tough and top-heavy AL and fall to a mediocre 70-92.
There is hope for this team to make the playoffs, but I just don’t see it happening. Unless a majority of this lineup breaks out, the staff alone will not be able to carry this team to the postseason. That is just too large of a load to ask of the staff, especially considering the holes they have in their order offensively. Overall, the Detroit Tigers could put together a solid season and make a run at the postseason, but I find that to be highly unlikely. Expect the Tigers to have yet another disappointing season and leave fans distraught at the direction of this ball club.
Categories: 2024 Season Preview, Articles, Season Analysis
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