No. 16 Angels | No. 14 Diamondbacks | Nos. 20-11
No. 15: DETROIT TIGERS
Last Season: 74-86
Projected record: 83-79 (tied for second in AL Central)
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The Tigers are ranked a respectable No. 15 despite an abysmal, injury-riddled 2015 campaign that saw them finish last in the American League Central. Why? Because they had one of the busiest, most aggressive offseasons in all of baseball under the direction of first-year general manager Al Avila. Though the club's porous pitching and hobbled lineup ultimately spelled their demise last season, let's not forgot that this is the same team that won the previous four AL Central titles. It will not be an easy feat to get to the top this year, however, especially with the reigning World Series champs as the team to beat.
Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez are two of the Tigers' best players right now. But can that tandem carry Detroit into the future? Not according to the graphic above. -- ESPN.com (graphic from Dan Szymborski)
Avila greatly improved the club's pitching depth, adding free agents Jordan Zimmermann and Mike Pelfrey to fortify the rotation and bolstering the bullpen with bona fide closer Francisco Rodriguez and setup men Mark Lowe and Justin Wilson. If Justin Verlander pitches like he did in the latter half of 2015, the Tigers should have a stronger rotation than the second half of last season. Offensively, they boast a formidable threat, with one of the best first-five-hitter combos in baseball; barring an injury, they'll feature Ian Kinsler, Justin Upton, Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez and J.D. Martinez in the top half of the lineup.
The club dealt outfielder Yoenis Cespedes at the trade deadline last year, and after he went on a tear with the Mets, he decided to re-sign and remain in the Big Apple. That's not only a big bat but a talented outfielder to take out of the lineup. The club likely will platoon both Anthony Gose and Cameron Maybin in center field this season, but neither player can match Cespedes' star status. Baserunning is also an area in need of some work, and the Tigers are making a concerted effort to this end. The team has asked former player and manager Kirk Gibson to help provide instruction on this front during spring training.
No. 14 Diamondbacks | No. 16 Angels | Nos. 20-11
