The Detroit Tigers were having a very quiet offseason until they made a major splash towards the end of free agency, bringing in the son of former Tigers' slugger Cecil Fielder, Prince Fielder. Jim Leyland finds himself with the best offense in the American League Central, and last year's Cy Young winner, Justin Verlander, to lean on. The hope is that the rest of the rotation can carry their weight and that the defense isn't too putrid.
The best of the best: Justin Verlander. Miguel Cabrera has an awesome bat, but Verlander is the top player for this Tigers' team. Finding a starting pitcher who can take the ball every fifth and keep the other team's offense in check is tough, but the Tigers have accomplished the task. Verlander brings the heat with his fastball, but he also works deep into games, giving the bullpen a day off most of the time. His record speaks for itself, and Detroit fans have to be pleased that they'll have the ace around for the foreseeable future.
The new guy: Prince Fielder. Thought to be one of the two best impact hitters on the free agent market this year, Fielder brings a major offensive upgrade to the Detroit lineup. Fielder is following his father's footsteps in the Motor City, bringing his hefty frame and a powerful swing to a team that needed help due to a Victor Martinez injury during the offseason. Fielder's arrival ushers in a win-now era, and the Tigers definitely have the ammo to do so.
The fatal flaw: The defense. Miguel Cabrera is average at first base. Miguel Cabrera at third base? That's a disaster waiting to happen. Many have come to the defense of moving Cabrera to the hot corner, claiming he's played the position before. Unfortunately, his frame can't handle it anymore, and it's very likely that he'll end up in a DH role quickly if it doesn't work out. Delmon Young is an abyss in left field. Jhonny Peralta isn't anything great with the glove, while Brennan Boesch is a work in progress in right field. Alex Avila can handle his own behind the plate, but it seems as if the Tigers are taking a heavy offense first approach this season. Here's hoping that groundball pitchers like Doug Fister and Rock Porcello can adapt.
Down on the farm: Nick Castellanos. While there is some uproar about pitching prospect Jacob Turner, Tigers fans should be excited about the progress of the up and coming Castellanos. Castellanos has been a mainstay at third base during his short trek through the minor leagues, and even though he's still a distance away many scouts believe he can play the position in the majors. He's got a bat that could be very beneficial for the Tigers in the future, and his ability to play third combine to make him a high-ceiling prospect that could produce major results.
Final verdict: The Tigers have every opportunity to win the AL Central. Their offense is stacked and they have one of the best pitching staffs in their division, headlined by Verlander. If the Tigers need to make an upgrade during the season, they'll have the resources to do so, but if they stay on course they should see the playoffs again this year. Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder may make fans forget all about the other power duos out there, and that has to have Detroit smiling.
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