MLB Preview: Detroit Tigers

2011 Recap
The Tigers were led by starting pitcher Justin Verlander, who had the pitching Triple Crown in the American League, notching 24 wins, 250 strikeouts and a 2.40 ERA. Verlander was a unanimous choice for the A.L. Cy Young, and was also the first starting pitcher named Most Valuable Player since Roger Clemens did it with the Boston Red Sox in 1986. The offense was also potent, featuring first baseman Miguel Cabrera (.344 BA, 30 HR, 105 RBI), catcher/designated hitter Victor Martinez (.330 BA, 12 HR, 103 RBI) and catcher Alex Avila (.295 BA, 19 HR, 82 RBI). The Tigers finished the season at 95-67, winning the American League Central crown. The team was able to defeat the Yankees in the Divisional series in five games, but fell to the Texas Rangers in six games in the ALCS.
New Arrivals
1B Prince Fielder
RP Octavio Dotel
P Collin Balester
C Gerald Laird
The big name of this group is obviously Prince, who will provide perhaps the nastiest 3/4 combination in the league with Cabrera. With Prince in tow, Cabrera will slide back over to third base, a position he previously played with the Florida (now Miami) Marlins. Octavio Dotel will provide the Tigers with a solid setup man to closer Jose Valverde, who converted all 49 of his regular season save opportunities. Balester has had a very good spring, and will likely get a spot on the opening day roster. Laird is a solid defensive catcher who should allow Avila to occasionally DH, and with the Victor Martinez injury, is an important bench player for the Tigers.
Prospect to Watch: SP Jacob Turner
In twenty minor league starts, the 20 year old right hander went 4-5 with a 3.44 ERA. Turner displays control far beyond his age, as he allowed just 35 walks in 131 minor league innings last season. Turner has a hard-breaking two-seamer that is consistently in the low to mid 90's, and should be able to induce a good percentage of ground ball outs. Turner may have a shot to crack the back end of the rotation out of spring training, but may be better served to spend at least part of this season in the minors.
2012 Outlook
Victor Martinez's torn ACL this offseason looked like it would be a huge blow to the team's chances for another postseason run in 2012, but the acquisition of Fielder taken them from a likely playoff team to the early favorite to win the American League. The starting lineup should be able to put up runs, and guys like Ryan Raburn, Brennan Boesch and Austin Jackson should continue to improve. Detroit doesn't have many base-stealers, and I'd like to see them manufacture more runs, but with Fielder and Cabrera in the middle of the lineup, they should have no issues scoring runs. The rotation outside of Verlander may not be as strong as the Yankees or Phillies rotation, but if youngters like Rick Porcello, Adam Turner and Doug Fister can continue to improve, the Tigers could find themselves in the World Series this October.