2020 Tigers season preview: More losing, but the future is bright
The Detroit Tigers are expected to lose plenty in 2020.
The 2020 campaign will probably be no different than last year for Detroit, which lost a league-high 114 contests. However, due to the Tigers' consistent futility, they've landed two first overall picks over the last three years: righty Casey Mize and slugging infielder Spencer Torkelson.
Contending for a playoff spot is out of the question, but the future is bright in Motown.
2019 record: 47-114 (5th in AL Central)
Payroll: $111,416,600
Projected record: 21-39 (5th)
World Series odds: +50000
3-year trend: 2017 (5th); 2018 (3rd); 2019 (5th)
Key addition: C.J. Cron
Key subtraction: Blaine Hardy
Highest projected WAR: Jeimer Candelario/Austin Romine (0.6)
X-factor: Miguel Cabrera
Prospect to watch: Casey Mize
Winter report card: C
Projected Lineup
| Order | Player | Pos. | Proj. WAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Niko Goodrum (S) | SS | 0.4 |
| 2 | Jonathan Schoop | 2B | 0.5 |
| 3 | Miguel Cabrera | DH | -0.1 |
| 4 | C.J. Cron | 1B | 0.4 |
| 5 | Jeimer Candelario (S) | 3B | 0.6 |
| 6 | Christin Stewart (L) | LF | -0.1 |
| 7 | Cameron Maybin | RF | 0.2 |
| 8 | Austin Romine | C | 0.6 |
| 9 | JaCoby Jones | CF | 0.1 |
Bench
| Player | Position | Proj. WAR |
|---|---|---|
| Grayson Greiner | C | 0.1 |
| Dawel Lugo | IF | 0.2 |
| Jordy Mercer | IF | 0.1 |
| Harold Castro (L) | IF/OF | 0.0 |
| Victor Reyes | OF | 0.0 |
*Bold indicates player acquired during offseason
The Tigers added a bunch of power to a listless lineup by signing Cron and Schoop, both of whom have hit 30-plus homers during a single season. Cabrera, who won back-to-back AL MVP trophies in 2013 and 2014, seems like a shell of his former dominant self due to age and injuries. A resurgence during his age-37 season would give Detroit a big offensive boost.
Rotation
| Pitcher | Throws | Proj. ERA |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew Boyd | L | 4.36 |
| Ivan Nova | R | 5.50 |
| Spencer Turnbull | R | 4.55 |
| Tyler Alexander | L | 4.47 |
| Michael Fulmer | R | 4.58 |
Detroit's rotation isn't bad, but it's already missing two starters with Jordan Zimmermann - who's in the final season of a five-year, $110-million deal - on the 45-day injured list and Daniel Norris recovering from a bout with COVID-19. The 27-year-old Fulmer, who's a former All-Star, is a hurler to watch. The 2016 AL Rookie of the Year hasn't pitched since 2018 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Mize could also make his much-anticipated debut at some point during the campaign.
Bullpen
| Pitcher | Throws | Proj. ERA |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Jimenez | R | 4.21 |
| Buck Farmer | R | 4.46 |
| Jose Cisnero | R | 4.70 |
| Bryan Garcia | R | 4.87 |
| Gregory Soto | L | 4.74 |
| David McKay | R | 4.77 |
| John Schreiber | R | 4.71 |
| Beau Burrows | R | 5.02 |
| Rony Garcia | R | 5.28 |
| Dario Agrazal | R | 5.10 |
| Kyle Funkhouser | R | 5.52 |
This might be one of the worst bullpens in baseball. Jimenez is the best of the bunch and will start the season with ninth-inning duties. The 25-year-old accrued a 4.37 ERA with a career-high 12.4 K/9 in 2019. Farmer could be next in line if Jimenez falters. But overall, Detroit will have a tough time staying in close games late with this unit.
Key injuries/absences
| Player | Position | Absence |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Zimmermann | SP | Right forearm strain |
| Daniel Norris | SP | COVID-19 |
(Projected WAR/ERA source: FanGraphs)