Handicapping the Detroit Tigers' Hotly Contested Position Battles
The Detroit Tigers appeared to have all of their major roster spots sewn up not so long ago. But things can change in a hurry.
The injury bug has bitten this franchise again, which will force some significant shake-ups in the weeks to come.
A knee injury to designated hitter Victor Martinez has put a giant monkey in Detroit’s wrench. Martinez’s recovery from meniscus surgery—due to take place next week—will almost certainly rule him out beyond Opening Day, and potentially as late as midseason.
With Miguel Cabrera also rehabilitating this winter, Detroit’s two biggest offensive threats could both be watching from the sidelines when April rolls around.
Even if Cabrera is able to DH, it still leaves a big hole at first base. That leaves the Tigers with plenty to mull over.
Apart from this new dilemma, things seem pretty stable. The other position players look concrete in their starting roles, and the rotation is a done deal—notwithstanding a daring move for starter James Shields.
Any other battles waged will be for places on the bench or in the bullpen. The latter could be particularly intriguing with one or two sleepers getting a chance if they have a spectacular spring.
With a few openings available, let’s take a look at the contenders and what their chances are of grabbing one of the available spots.
First Base
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Alex Avila: 70 percent
Just a couple of weeks ago, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus raised the prospect of Avila spending time at first. Speaking to James Schmehl of MLive, Ausmus said: “Alex is a possibility. I would prefer that he catch than play first, but if we're in that type of situation where Miggy isn't ready, it'll give us another option."
Due to Martinez’s plight, this scenario now appears even more likely.
Avila has only played once at this position in his major league career. That, in addition to his struggles at the plate in recent years, may cause a few grimaces among Tigers fans. However, his offensive numbers may lurch upward without him having to absorb the rigors of an everyday catcher job.
In the event of Avila winding up on the infield, the Tigers have two other catchers ready to fill the backstop void. James McCann and Bryan Holaday looked set for a duel to win the backup role, but both could now be booking a seat to Detroit.
Jordan Lennerton: 10 percent
Dipping into the farm system is another way to find a solution. Non-roster invitee Jordan Lennerton boasts an excellent glove at first (zero errors in 2014 with Toledo), but his .249/.362/.395 slash line last year was nothing to write home about.
Mike Hessman: 10 percent
Hessman is another option. The 36-year-old has launched 417 career homers in the minors, but he has never really put it together at the major league level (.188 average in 109 games).
He has also spent most of his playing time at third base in recent years.
An outsider: 10 percent
Schmehl recently suggested that Dayan Viciedo and Chris Colabello could be two candidates to come in from the outside. But as the incumbent clean-up hitter should return in due course, an internal candidate seems most likely for Detroit.
Left-Handed Relief Pitcher
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The departure of veteran Phil Coke has opened up a spot for a lefty at the back end of Detroit’s bullpen. With the Tigers letting Andrew Miller slip through their fingers this winter, opportunity now beckons for a youngster to step up.
If a surprise is to emerge on Detroit’s 25-man roster, it will likely come from here.
Ian Krol: 40 percent
It was a Jekyll and Hyde campaign last year for the ex-National. In his first season with Detroit, Krol was good during the first two months (2.33 ERA) but poor during the latter four (8.78 ERA).
In a recent interview with Schmehl, Krol recognized the need to stay strong during the course of the season:
"One thing I'm trying to get a grasp on is being consistent throughout the season. I need to have a workout regiment throughout the week throughout the season to keep me healthy.
I don't think the workload was too much. I just think it was my fault by not catching up or keeping up with my arm exercises or getting in the gym.
"
As the hardest thrower in this group, as well as the last man standing in the Doug Fister trade, Krol is the man whom Detroit wants to step up into this role. His improved conditioning might give him the edge.
Blaine Hardy: 30 percent
The 6’2” lefty picked up much of the slack when Krol’s season went south last year. Hardy pitched well during his rookie season, compiling an impressive 2.54 ERA in 38 games.
However, he did fade fast down the stretch. His gaudy 2.80 WHIP in September resulted in him missing a spot on Detroit’s postseason roster.
As a former starter in the minors, Hardy possesses a good repertoire of pitches that makes up for a lack of velocity. If they’re all coming out of the hand nicely this spring, he may just get over the line.
Kyle Ryan: 10 percent
Another debutant in 2014, Ryan had some good moments down the stretch for the Tigers as both a starter and reliever. His maiden outing came against the Chicago White Sox, who he shut out over six innings.
The Tigers are probably undecided about which role is most suitable for Ryan. At 23, he has plenty of time to develop his game, and the smart money is on him starting down in Toledo.
Kenny Faulk: 10 percent
Faulk is yet to make his MLB debut, but he is certainly knocking on the door. After stepping up from Double-A Erie last July, Faulk pitched very effectively in a Mud Hens shirt. In 11 games, he was 1-0 with a 1.65 ERA and 0.98 WHIP.
Faulk does not possess overpowering stuff but uses an above-average changeup to get hitters out. He is currently not on the 40-man roster, which makes him an unlikely candidate to make the team. But continued improvement should see him land in the Motor City sometime in 2015.
Joe Mantiply: 10 percent
Mantiply is another lefty who doesn’t rely on gas to retire hitters. His crafty pitching at two levels of the minors last season saw him selected to the Arizona Fall League.
The 23-year-old is yet to pitch above Double-A, but his efforts have helped earn him a place on Detroit’s 40-man roster. A big spring could see him get a shot at the big club.
Reserve Infielder
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This is a two-horse race that is very hard to split. Both of the contenders are out of minor league options; thus, if they miss out, it may be curtains for their Tigers career. However, both can make the club if Detroit elects to go with just two catchers on its 25-man roster.
Andrew Romine: 51 percent
Romine gets the edge, but only barely. He spent the entire 2014 campaign with Detroit and did a respectable job filling in at shortstop for the injured Jose Iglesias.
More of a defensive than an offensive player, Romine made some fine plays in the hole last season. Overall, he rated slightly below average with minus-two defensive runs saved for the season, according to FanGraphs.
The former Angel is also a switch-hitter, which is particularly useful for the Tigers, who have a paucity of lefties in their lineup—especially now with Martinez sidelined.
Hernan Perez: 49 percent
Perez had a full season with the Triple-A Mud Hens in 2014. He had a fine year with the bat, producing a .287/.331/.404 slash line.
Perez’s offensive gifts have elevated him to No. 6 on Detroit’s prospect list, according to MLB.com. However, he is less attractive defensively. In the words of MLB.com, he has “average arm strength and range.”
It’s pretty much a flip of the coin between this pair. With so much on the line, it will be very interesting to see which one gets the affirmative and which one gets a red tag in his locker.
Unless otherwise stated, all stats in this article are courtesy of baseball-reference.com.
Hit me up on Twitter: @jdunc1979
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