Photo by Joshua Peacock
The four-time World Series Champions, Detroit Tigers, finished 2nd in the AL Central last season. The wait continues for the Tigers to get their hands on the Commissioner’s Trophy. Spring training is approaching, and the Tigers are preparing to reveal their opening-day roster. There are 26 spots left to be filled on the opening day roster commencing from the following Monday when everyone reports to the camp. Fifty-eight players will compete to get into the final squad of the Detroit Tigers.
The Tigers have spent much time solidifying their positional versatility for the hitters. After the retirement of the highly experienced Miguel Cabrera, the Tigers have a massive responsibility on their shoulders to fill the void in their roster ahead of the regular season.
Although it is hard to precisely predict who will fill the open spots and provide versatility in the upcoming MLB season, let’s look at the potential opening day predictions.
Catcher
This position is expected to be secured by Jake Rogers. He has emerged as the primary catcher for the Tigers after being a backup to Eric Haase on Opening Day. Rogers was undoubtedly one of the top catchers in the American league last season. Therefore, he is the number one pick in the catcher category for the Tigers.
As far as the backup is concerned, Carson Kelly is the most expected one. Detroit Tigers finally pickup up his 3.5 Million Option in the offseason. He will be a valuable addition alongside Rogers. Kelly will aim to start the season from where he left off last season in his short stint.
First Base
This is probably the easiest spot to predict, thanks to Spencer Torkelson. He has established himself as the focal point of the Tigers lineup. Torkelson is an experienced MLB slugger with a fantastic record of 31 home runs in the 2023 American League.
Second Base
Colt Keith is the favorite for the second base position. The Tigers have trusted him, as reflected by the six-year contract extension. Although less sound than Tork, the Tigers believe the left-handed hitter will play a vital role in the upcoming season.
As the Tigers gear up for Opening Day 2024, fans eagerly anticipate the final roster reveal. With seasoned veterans and promising rookies vying for spots, the team’s composition remains a topic of fervent speculation.
Amid these discussions, enthusiasts also consider the BetMGM North Carolina Bonus Code as they anticipate the odds and potential betting opportunities surrounding the team’s performance. The excitement is palpable as fans eagerly await the official announcement, hoping their favorite players will make the cut and contribute to a successful season ahead.
Third Base
Matt Vierling and Andy Ibanez will still be the first choices for the third base since the Tigers failed to draft any third base prospect for the second consecutive offseason.
Zach McKinstry might be a potential addition to the rotation, but at this point, we’re opting for these two as third basemen. However, this arrangement is subject to change as spring training progresses.
Shortstop
This is a certainty, regardless of Tigers fans’ feelings. We can only hope that Baez regains his ability to hit fastballs and becomes a reliable batter. It’s time to see if Baez’s recent offseason efforts to improve his swing and rediscover his dynamic play will pay off.
One advantage is that he’ll be present for the entire Tigers Spring Training without the World Baseball Classic this year. With a contract running through 2027 and a $25 million salary, which is now the team’s highest following Cabrera’s retirement, Baez has plenty of leeway to find his form.
Outfield
The Tigers are coming into this season with a reasonably strong outfield lineup. Mark Canha will provide a lot of composure to the team’s balance with his veteran presence on the field. For Parker Meadows, this could prove to be a breakout season. He had a fantastic average last season, which he would want to repeat this season.
Riley Greene has been unfortunate due to some freak injuries that denied him game time. Tigers could use his abilities in the 2024 season and hope he stays fit and healthy throughout. He is expected to play as a designated hitter.
Designated hitter
The Tigers have the opportunity to rotate the DH for the first time in a long while. Kerry Carpenter will be getting more starts than Canha and Greene. Carpenter is a crucial player for the Tigers since he performs on the top level whenever he can showcase his hitting prowess.
Bench, Rotation, and Bullpen
The Tigers have Andy Ibáñez and Akil Baddoo in mind for the bench, but the final decision depends on various factors. Ibáñez’s role might be affected if Keith plays second base regularly, while Malloy’s playing time could influence the outfield spot. Baddoo offers value as a pinch-hitter and base stealer.
In the rotation, the Tigers have solid options like Tarik Skubal and Kenta Maeda. However, managing workload is crucial, especially for Matt Manning, who has had limited innings due to injuries. The bullpen is still evolving, with Beau Brieske and Joey Wentz being potential additions. Wentz’s status without Minor League options adds complexity to the decision-making process.
Final Thoughts
Whatever the case, the Tigers will want to put out their best roster for the opening day to build the chemistry and momentum ahead of the regular season. These predictions may change as the season progresses and circumstances change, but the Tigers will likely enter the season with this predicted roster.
