There is new life in Detroit with its beloved Tigers. After another losing season that ended prior to the postseason, the Tigers are looking to compete for a division title once again. It will be interested to see if it can happen this season with plenty of new faces around the team.

2023 SEASON IN-REVIEW

Record: 78-84, 2nd in AL Central

Postseason: N/A

The 2023 season saw the Tigers miss the playoffs for the ninth consecutive year. The last time that the Tigers saw postseason baseball was during a 90-win season back in 2014. Detroit has not even reached 80 wins since 2016. The Tigers are hoping to snap both streaks here in 2024.

2024 SEASON PREVIEW

Key Losses: SP Eduardo Rodriguez, SP Spencer Turnbull

Key Additions: SP Kenta Maeda, SP Jack Flaherty, RP Andrew Chafin, RP Shelby Miller, OF Mark Canha, 3B Gio Urshela

There is young talent in Detroit, some star power, and plenty of new faces. Detroit attempted to make up for some losses in the rotation and did it effectively. Can these moves pay off and allow the team to compete for an AL Central title?

Eduardo Rodriguez left for Arizona while Spencer Turnbull also moved on in free agency. The Tigers entered the offseason with holes in the rotation but added new faces at the top. Kenta Maeda and Jack Flaherty came to be top-of-the-rotation arms along with Tarik Skubal. Since 2020, Skubal has showed flashes and put up impressive numbers when healthy. That has been the problem. Over the last two years, Skubal has made a total of 36 starts. The Tigers are hoping that Skubal can stay in the rotation and contribute to what they hope is a productive top three.

The bullpen also saw upgrades with Andrew Chafin and Shelby Miller. In the lineup, Gio Urshela acts as the bat that the team was hoping to add.

Detroit entered the offseason with Parker Meadows and Riley Greene at the top of the lineup, along with Spencer Torkelson. The team added Mark Canha to take a corner outfield spot and provide a veteran in the clubhouse. The Javier Baez situation needs to work itself out, meaning he needs to produce to the level of his contract. With all that being said, Detroit was still looking for one final piece to lengthen the lineup. Urshela has played on three different teams over the last three years. He played 62 games for the Los Angeles Angels last season and hit .299. The year before, he played 144 games for the Minnesota Twins and hit .285 with 64 RBI. Urshela is not a power threat but is a strong hitter that will play Gold Glove-caliber defense.

Detroit is hoping to contend with the Twins in the Central division. If all goes right, there might be a chance, but the Twins remain on another level. Detroit has a chance to finish near the top of the division.

Potential Starting Lineup

1. Parker Meadows, OF
2. Riley Greene, OF
3. Spencer Torkelson, 1B
4. Kerry Carpenter, DH
5. Mark Canha, OF
6. Colt Keith, 2B
7. Javier Baez, SS
8. Gio Urshella, 3B
9. Jake Rogers, C

Potential Rotation

• Tarik Skubal
• Jack Flaherty
• Kenta Maeda
• Matt Manning
• Reese Olson/Casey Mize

Final Record Prediction: 79-83