Team-by-team outlooks

There wasn't a bigger story in the American League last season than the Tigers' sudden ascension into the upper echelon. From 1996-2005, Detroit lost at least 90 games eight times -- including 119 in 2003. Manager Jim Leyland came aboard, along with veteran ace Kenny Rogers, and their young pitching staff came up roses. They finished the season leading the majors in staff ERA at 3.84.

In recent years, the AL Central has continually churned out surprise teams between the Tigers, Indians, White Sox and Twins. A well-rounded roster is key to competing in the ultra-competitive division and Detroit certainly has that. From a lineup that adds Gary Sheffield to eight returning starters to the stellar rotation that boasted four 13-game winners in '06, the Tigers should be considered the favorites to take the division in '07.

Jeremy Bonderman started going after batters much earlier in the count last season and finished with over 200 strikeouts for the first time in his career -- well above his career average of 140.

The Tigers' bullpen is just as stacked as the rotation. Joel Zumaya is a stud future closer while veteran stopper Todd Jones continues to pitch the ninth. Fernando Rodney is yet another closer possibility for another team, but he's relegated to Motown middle relief for now. They don't have a left-handed specialist (Wil Ledezma?), but Zumaya allowed lefties to hit only .183 against him.

Before Sheffield's wrist injury last year, he hit over 30 homers in six of the past seven seasons. His power bat will fit in nicely in the middle of this lineup. He'll serve primarily as the designated hitter, so his aging body should get plenty of at-bats.

Spring position battles

Fifth starter -- Mike Maroth, Wil Ledezma vs. Andrew Miller

Really though, this job is Maroth's to lose. Ledezma will likely work as a spot starter/lefty reliever with Miller starting out at Triple-A for some seasoning. Miller is the best Fantasy option of this group, but he'll need the opportunity before he can score points for you.

Two-hole hitter -- Placido Polanco vs. Craig Monroe

Polanco likely starts the season as the No. 2 hitter, but Monroe spent a good portion of last season (mostly late) in this spot. Whoever hits here will end up with plenty of runs scored with Ivan Rodriguez, Sheffield and Magglio Ordonez bringing him home.

Detroit Tigers Outlook
Projected lineup Pos. Projected Rotation
1 Curtis Granderson CF 1 Kenny Rogers LH
2 Placido Polancco 2B 2 Jeremy Bonderman RH
3 Carlos Guillen SS 3 Nate Robertson LH
4 Gary Sheffield DH 4 Justin Verlander RH
5 Magglio Ordonez RF 5 Mike Maroth LH
6 Ivan Rodriguez C Alt Andrew Miller LH
7 Sean Casey 1B
8 Craig Monroe LF Top bullpen arms
9 Brandon Inge 3B CL Todd Jones RH
Top bench options SU Joel Zumaya RH
R Marcus Thames OF RP Fernando Rodney RH
R Omar Infante INF RP Wil Ledezma LH
     
Rookies/Prospects Age Pos. 2006 high Destination
1 Andrew Miller 21 LH SP Majors Double-A
Could stick with team out of camp as spot starter
2 Cameron Maybin 19 OF Class -A Double-A
Tigers don't mind moving prospects quickly, but he's really young
3 Brent Clevlen 23 OF Majors Triple-A
Could end up as a utility man later this season again
4 Jordan Tata 25 RH SP Majors Triple-A
Needs a hole to open up in rotation for a chance to start
5 Jair Jurrjens 21 RH SP Double-A Double-A
Progressing through the minors well, arrive in '08?
Best of the rest: RHP Eulogio De La Cruz, 23; 3B Kody Kirkland, 23; SS Tony Giarratano, 24; LHP Ed Campusano, 24; 3B Wilkin Ramirez, 21; 1B Jeff Larish, 24.

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