Sloan Jambor ‘26, Lyonlife.org Editor-in-Chief
Spring is rolling around, and the Detroit Tigers are back on the diamond. Following a successful season, with a record of 87-75, fans anxiously awaited spring training to end and the regular season to begin. With a one-year deal with Justin Verlander, and the addition of rookie infielder Kevin McGonigle, hopes are high to reach the playoffs once again.
After a disappointing 3-2 series loss against the Seattle Mariners in the American League (AL) Division Series, manager AJ Hinch has only wanted growth for his team. With there being a consistent lack of plate discipline and hitting last season, there had to be a heavy focus on offense in the offseason. This work has become apparent, especially through top prospect McGonigle. In his MLB debut, the rookie had a four-hit game and four runs batted in (RBIs). However, there is still a struggle with their star players, as first baseman Spencer Torkelson has seven hits out of 38 at bats, and Riley Greene has six hits after 42 plate appearances. With both of those players predominantly being in the beginning of the lineup, the team needs them to cut down on the strike outs and focus on contact. The two are lacking, not just from their typical homeruns, but from even hitting the ball in general.
Along with hitting being a major contributing factor to the division loss last year, the pitching rotation was certainly a contribution as well. Of course, there was back-to-back Cy Young winner, Tarik Skubal, but there was another consistent factor missing. Jack Flaherty was streaky; Casey Mize was injured half the time; the bullpen was heavily unreliable. Let’s be honest with ourselves. One pitcher was never going to get the team a World Series title. However, they added Verlander back to the roster. Though, he is not the only addition, as he is accompanied by a three-year deal with the two-time All-Star and former Houston Astro pitcher, Framber Valdez. Jason Beck, a writer for MLB.com said, “A talented rotation is needed to carry the load…late season investments in [Valdez] and [Verlander] reflect the value they’ve placed on leveraging a strong rotation.”
Skubal was never going to be able to carry the team solely on his back; he would have thrown his arm out for his teammates, but nobody wants to see him do that again. There was also a fear that the Los Angeles Dodgers were going to give a trade for Skubal that the Tigers would have followed through with. Thankfully, that never happened, and their strongest arm remains in the bullpen. However, after this season, there is a threat of Skubal leaving, so this year is likely to be a make or break opportunity for the Tigers with their current talent.
With all these advancements being made for the team, there is still a rocky start being seen to the season. A 4-7 start, and a recent 7-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins, is sparking the question of what can the team do better? Whether it is subbing out Torkelson, Greene, or even Kerry Carpenter, two of three who are hitting under .200, or pulling pitchers before they allow six runs in three innings, there needs to be some sort of change.
It may be early in the season, but the Tigers are currently tied with the Kansas City Royals and one game below the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central. If the Tigers do not want to fall behind, they need to pick it up quickly as the Guardians will likely not slow down. After choking a 21-game lead in their division after the All-Star break last year, there needs to be a fight of consistency and proper management to get the Tigers to the spot they deserve. Senior baseball player Aidan Gasidlo said, “The Tigers have not gone out and signed any big bat options, and we have one rookie being our best hitter. That certainly causes some problems for later success.”
Tigers fans have already been longing to not be the laughing stocks of the MLB, and when the team finally gets the talent they need to make it through the playoffs, they choke. The Tigers have the ability to not just be a good team, but a great team; however, in order to do so, they cannot choke the leads and need to get the bat on the ball. In Detroit, fans look forward to game days, and they will continue to do so as long as the Tigers give fans a reason to want to watch. Hinch and the team need to utilize the talent they have, and fans are anxiously waiting for the boys to pick up speed and extend their division success. Let’s go Tigers!
Lyon Life 