Detroit Tigers 2010 Primer

The 2009 season did not end the way the Detroit Tigers had wanted it to. Over the final two months of the season the Tigers saw their division lead over the Minnesota Twins shrink, with the Twins eventually catching up to tie them before beating the Tigers in an epic tiebreaker game.

Instead of going back to the playoffs for the first time since 2006 the Tigers were left to wonder what went wrong.

There are many new faces around the clubhouse this season, and some favorites have left town, but the Tigers are still expected to battle for the AL Central title again in 2010.

Ed Price: It's Redemption Time for Detroit's Broken Arms

Coming and Going

In: Johnny Damon, OF (free agency); Austin Jackson, OF (trade); Max Scherzer RHP (trade); Phil Coke LHP (trade); Daniel Schlereth, RHP (trade); Jose Valverde, RHP (free agency)

Out: Curtis Granderson, OF (trade); Fernando Rodney, RHP (free agency); Brandon Lyon, RHP (free agency); Placido Polanco, IF (free agency); Marcus Thames, OF (free agency)

Around the Horn

Goodbye Grandy ...
The biggest move the Tigers made this winter was sending Curtis Granderson to the Yankees in a three-way deal that brought Austin Jackson, Max Scherzer, Daniel Schlereth and Phil Coke to Motown. Jackson will essentially serve as Grandy's replacement in centerfield, so he has big shoes to fill and a lot of ground to cover in Comerica Park. So far this spring Jackson's doing pretty well for himself, as he's currently hitting over .400.

What Will Johnny Damon Do? ...
After a long courting period the Tigers finally convinced Johnny Damon to sign on the dotted line and give the Tigers just a bit more experience at the top of their lineup than just Jackson and Scott Sizemore. While Damon's power numbers are likely to drop a bit after moving from Yankee Stadium to Comerica, he should provide a nice boost to an offense that already has plenty of pop.

Bullpen Renovations ...
A big weakness on the Tigers last season, and part of the reason they saw their division lead collapse, was the bullpen. So it's no surprise that the team made big changes to it this winter. Fernando Rodney is out as the team's closer, and Jose Valverde is in. The question is whether or not guys like Joel Zumaya, Phil Coke, Bobby Seay or any of the other 28 lefties the Tigers have in the pen can get the ball to him.

Rotating Rotation ...
We know that Justin Verlander is the Tigers' ace, and that he's backed up by the young Rick Porcello. After that some questions remain in the Tigers rotation. Max Scherzer is likely to get a spot, but the fourth and fifth starter positions will be a fight between Jeremy Bonderman, Nate Robertson, Dontrelle Willis and Armando Galarraga. The first three have done nothing but disappoint since signing contract extensions in the last few years, and whether or not they start earning their paycheck will go a long way in deciding the Tigers fate in 2010.

Projected Opening Day Roster

Lineup
1	Austin Jackson	CF
2	Johnny Damon	LF
3	Magglio Ordonez	RF
4	Miguel Cabrera	1B
5	Carlos Guillen	DH
6	Scott Sizemore	2B
7	Brandon Inge	3B
8	Gerald Laird	C
9	Adam Everett	SS

Bench
Alex Avila	C
Ramon Santiago	IF
Clete Thomas	OF
Ryan Raburn	IF/OF

Rotation
1	Justin Verlander	RHP
2	Rick Porcello	RHP
3	Max Scherzer	RHP
4	Jeremy Bonderman	RHP
5	Nate Robertson	LHP

Bullpen
Jose Valverde	LHP
Ryan Perry	RHP
Phil Coke	LHP
Joel Zumaya	RHP
Bobby Seay	LHP
Fu-Te Ni	LHP
Dontrelle Willis	LHP

2010 Outlook

The Tigers, like everybody in the AL Central, have their flaws. The 2010 season is going to be decided by the youngsters now injected into the lineup, and the pitching staff. If the team can find consistent pitching behind Verlander and Porcello, then they'll find themselves in the hunt through September. If not, then this team could be on the outside looking in come August. The talent is there, this team will just have to capitalize on it.