As we roll along with our MLB team previews, it's time to check out the 2017 Detroit Tigers Team Outlook.
We'll take a look at the team's notable additions, losses, offense, pitching and prospects. Nobody gets you prepared for the upcoming season like RotoBaller!
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Offseason Moves
Key Additions: Alex Avila, Victor Alcantara, Mikie Mahtook, Omar Infante
Key Departures: Cameron Maybin, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Erick Aybar
The Tigers' front office was mostly static this offseason, making no true noteworthy roster moves outside of dealing Cameron Maybin for a reliever. This is a team that looks like it wants to remain a contender, but only because it has no other choice. Apparently, they were willing to entertain offers on anyone and everyone, including stars Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera, but weren't overwhelmed by a team offering a wealth of their best prospects in return. It is decidedly a veteran team that will make one more run before the window closes on its star players, for better or worse.
Hitting Overview
Miggy is still the top name in Detroit, as it has been for the past nine seasons. A minor power slump in 2015, mainly due to injury, looks like a thing of the past. Cabrera launched 38 home runs and drove in 108 runs over a full 158-game slate. He isn't the most exciting first-round pick you can make, but he is certainly one of the safest. Cabrera has led the league in hitting four of the past six seasons and jacked at least 30 homers in eight of the last 10. The other corner spot is manned by Nick Castellanos, who appeared to be on his way to a breakout season before slumping in the second half and missing extended time. His .302 average, 17 HR and 51 RBI in the first 85 games could be a sign that a breakout is still in the cards, making him an intriguing late-round pick.
Ian Kinsler is entering his 12th Major League season and is as productive as ever. He finished the year with 28 HR, 83 RBI and a .288 average. He should still be treated as a top-five second baseman. On the other hand, Jose Iglesias and his career should be completely ignored at shortstop. He posted career highs of 57 runs, 32 RBI and 11 steals last season over 513 plate appearances and has a very limited ceiling. Likewise, James McCann is only relevant in two-catcher or AL-only leagues and may share time with Alex Avila, if he can find his power stroke again. Victor Martinez is a full-time DH that is worth drafting, even if he only qualifies at utility spots.
J.D. Martinez is being drafted as a top-10 outfielder according to NFBC data. His power dropped off from his 2015 All-Star season, but he made up for it with a .307/.373/.535 triple slash line, proving he is worth his current ADP of 51. Justin Upton is a polarizing pick that will surely alienate some owners based on his disappointing first half of 2016. His declining average (.246) is a concern, but he still managed to swat at least 25 homers for the fourth straight season. Former first-round pick Mikie Mahtook will replace Cameron Maybin in center field, but his offensive skills are in question after hitting .195 in 185 AB last season. Tyler Collins could challenge for playing time, but he has been awful against lefties and has only a career .262 average across all levels.
Pitching Overview
Just as Cabrera headlines the hitters, Justin Verlander is undeniably the ace in Motown. Although he may have been robbed of a Cy Young award last season (Kate Upton certainly thought so), Verlander should be drafted well ahead of Rick Porcello in 2017. Some regression may be in store, as he posted the second-best K/9 of his career at 10.0 and pitched his highest inning total since 2012. AL Rookie of the Year Michael Fulmer represents the Tigers' future. His 3.06 ERA and 1.11 WHIP will make him a desirable commodity even in re-draft leagues. Jordan Zimmermann was looking like a Cy Young favorite at the end of April, posting a 5-0 record and 0.55 ERA in five starts. He fell apart quickly, allowing seven earned runs in three of his next nine outings. Neck issues limited him to four games in the second half. Zimmermann is a classic risk-reward pick based on his blend of talent and injuries. 23-year old Daniel Norris raised his K/9 to 9.2 and could be a sleeper pick at the end of fantasy rotations. Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez is the active leader in saves with 430 and shows no signs of slowing down with 44 last season.
Prospects Overview
Matt Manning is the top pitching prospect for Detroit, going ninth overall in last year's draft. Manning had an impressive Gulf League debut, posting a 46/7 K/BB rate. At 19, he's a definite hold in dynasty leagues, but is still a couple years away from making his mark in the majors. Kyle Funkhouser and Beau Burrows are also first-round caliber talents that could compete for a rotation spot eventually, but not this season. Joe Jimenez may very well become the closer in Detroit when K-Rod's days are numbered. He saved 30 games with a 13.1 K/9 across three levels last year.
Christin Stewart is the top hitter in the Tigers' farm system and has a chance to crack the roster mid-season if he impresses and/or if Mahtook struggles. Stewart finished 2016 in Double-A, but only hit .218 in 100 plate appearances there. A strong walk rate and developing power from the left side show promise for the immediate future.
Conclusion
The Tigers are still chock full of talent ripe for fantasy drafts. Although many of the players are past their prime age-wise, the likes of Verlander, K-Rod, V-Mart, Miggy and Kinsler have shown no signs of slowing down. Castellanos is the only true sleeper pick offensively, and Daniel Norris stakes that claim in the pitching staff. Watch the center field spot closely to see if Mahtook finally takes off or busts, in which case Stewart becomes an intriguing hitter to watch.