2012 Record: 88-74, 1st AL Central
2012 Pythagorean Record: 87-75
Impact Player: 3B Miguel Cabrera
Impact Pitcher: RHP Justin Verlander
Top Prospect: 3B Nick Castellanos
Significant Acquisitions: RF Torii Hunter, C Brayan Pena
Significant Departures: DH Delmon Young, UT Ryan Raburn, C Gerald Laird, RHP Jose Valverde
The Tigers were one of the least active teams this winter, making only one significant acquisition in new rightfielder Torii Hunter. They re-signed Anibal Sanchez and cut some of the fat letting Delmon Young and Jose Valverde walk, but ostensibly, this is mostly the same team that won the American League pennant for the second time in seven years.
The Tigers struggled for much of the year in 2012. They were under .500 as late as July 5th and although they were much better in the second half, they still won only 88 games—the lowest of any division winner—and needed the White Sox to stumble in September to squeeze into the playoffs. The addition of Anibal Sanchez, the health of Doug Fister and a more consistent lineup led to a 47-32 record after July 5th and with addition of Hunter and an otherwise weak division, the Tigers are poised to win a lot of games in 2013.
Depth will again be a concern for Detroit. There’s little question that the Major League roster is loaded with talent, but should injuries strike, there’s not a lot of farm system depth to speak of and the bench doesn’t have much in the way of above-replacement-level players.
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