3 months ago Article 25 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Justin Verlander is the best pitcher in Tigers history

What more can be said about the best pitcher on the planet?

3 months ago Article 51 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Bruce Rondon will last the season as the Tigers' closer

Bruce Rondon might have the most electric arm in the Tigers organization -- yeah, even over you-know-who -- but can he find the command to be effective?

3 months ago Article 5 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Joaquin Benoit is more consistent than you think

Joaquin Benoit's numbers have been trending the wrong way for the past three seasons, but that's just because he was so unbelievably good for Tampa Bay in 2010. There's no need to hit the panic button just yet.

3 months ago Article 22 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Miguel Cabrera is good at baseball

As scary as it is to think about (for opposing teams), Miguel Cabrera can improve upon his MVP numbers from 2012.

3 months ago Article 37 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Prince Fielder needs to learn how to slide

Hey, what else was I going to put in the title? "So-and-so is good at baseball" is tomorrow's title.

3 months ago Article 16 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Doug Fister poised for a monster season if he stays healthy

Fister's 2012 season was derailed slightly by an early season injury, but he rebounded to have another huge second half for the Tigers. Can he put two halves together in 2013?

4 months ago Article 34 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Torii Hunter brings more than just experience to the Tigers outfield

You will probably see at least 20 stories between now and Opening Day about how Torii Hunter's experience and veteran savvy will help the Tigers in 2013. While all of that is nice, the guy can still play.

4 months ago Article 19 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Max Scherzer needs to prove that he can be consistent in 2013

Max Scherzer took a major step forward in 2012, putting up the best overall season of his career. He needs to avoid a step back in 2013.

4 months ago Article 33 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Yes, Omar Infante can indeed play second base

For the first time in years, the Tigers will have a competent second baseman on Opening Day. Infante will need to improve on his poor showing with the Tigers in 2012 though.

4 months ago Article 21 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Brayan Pena is your cheap, reliable backup catcher

Pena won't hit .300 or steal plate appearances from Alex Avila, but he should be able to spell Avila for the occasional day off.

4 months ago Article 5 comments

2013 Tigers Player Preview: Luke Putkonen and Luis Marte hoping to have larger roles with the Tigers in 2013

Both Luke Putkonen and Luis Marte saw limited action with the Tigers last year. While there may not be many bullpen innings to go around, don't be surprised if either of these guys sees more action in 2013.

4 months ago Article 44 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Andy Dirks looks to continue defying the odds in 2013

Andy Dirks has been labeled as a fourth outfielder by every scout and blogger in the business, but his stats last season said otherwise. Will the real Andy Dirks please stand up?

4 months ago Article 25 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Alex Avila is due for a rebound season in 2013

Avila struggled at the plate in 2012, hitting just .243 in 116 games. With backup catcher Gerald Laird gone, expect Avila to play more games and improve his numbers in 2013.

4 months ago Article 27 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Austin Jackson is the real deal, but he might not repeat his 2012 numbers this year

It took a couple of hits in his last game, but Austin Jackson hit .300 last year en route to a breakout season. Will he repeat those numbers in 2013? I'm not 100% sure he will, but it isn't out of the question.

4 months ago Article 49 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Can Victor Martinez match fans' sky-high expectations for him in 2013?

Can we just clone the 2011 version of Victor Martinez and call it a day? If not, we might want to lower our gaze a bit, especially considering he hasn't played baseball in about 16 months.

4 months ago Article 10 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Avisail Garcia could force his way onto Tigers roster with a strong Spring

The 21 year old outfielder was effective, though not overly impressive, during his September call-up last season. If he outperforms others in Lakeland, the Tigers may not be able to keep him in the minors for long.

4 months ago Article 47 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Duane Below may be the odd man out in the Tigers bullpen this season

Duane Below pitched well in a long relief role last season, but recent comments by Jim Leyland make it seem as if either Rick Porcello or Drew Smyly will fill that role in 2013.

4 months ago Article 27 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Can Jeff Kobernus' wheels earn him a spot in Detroit?

Jeff Kobernus stole 95 bases during the past two minor-league seasons. Detroit added him to the roster via the Rule 5 draft this past year. But does he have what it takes to stay on the Tigers' roster all season?

4 months ago Article 10 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Can Casey Crosby find his command and take the next step in 2013?

Left-handed pitcher Casey Crosby has had command issues throughout his career, so it goes without saying that he could boost his value considerably if he fixes those in 2013.

4 months ago Article 17 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Anibal Sanchez has 8+ million reasons to prove that last fall was no fluke

Anibal Sanchez is looking to continue his great run of success that he had in late 2012... but hopefully with a bit more run support.

4 months ago Article 5 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Octavio Dotel would love to repeat his 2012 season in 2013

His uniforms might have been inconsistent throughout his career, but Octavio Dotel's stat lines have been remarkably similar for 14 seasons. Here's hoping he does it for a 15th year.

4 months ago Article 14 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Rick Porcello should be the Tigers 5th starter this season

So much for wavering headlines. Porcello has earned the job and is the best option if the Tigers want to take home a third consecutive division title in 2013.

4 months ago Article 15 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Minor-league position players could see action

None of these four players profiled today projects to receive much playing time in the MLB this year. But there's a chance three of them might get into some games. Who's the best bet to handle the opportunity?

4 months ago Article 27 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Will these bullpen pitchers contribute?

It's no secret that our timing with this series was a bit off. There are too many players on the 40-man roster to finish the series in time for pitchers and catchers reporting. UNLESS we cheated by combining a few players into one post. The time to cheat is at hand.

4 months ago Article 30 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Will Quintin Berry make the Tigers roster with so many options in the outfield?

Quintin Berry faces an uphill battle to make the Tigers roster out of Spring Training this season.

4 months ago Article 30 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: A healthy Al Alburquerque gives the Tigers bullpen another option at closer

Al Alburquerque might not be the first choice to pitch the 9th inning for the Tigers this year (or second, or third...), but he has the stuff to close if needed.

4 months ago Article 14 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Jhonny Peralta wants you to want him to be the Tigers' shortstop in 2013

Someone photoshop an Uncle Sam hat onto a picture of Peralta ASAP.

4 months ago Article 16 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: What will become of Brayan Villarreal?

Some have called right-handed reliever Brayan Villarreal a future closer. Others have a hard time projecting him as anything but middle relief. The stats and projections can bolster arguments for either side. We ask: What is most likely to actually happen in 2013?

4 months ago Article 20 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Can Brennan Boesch be useful?

Brennan Boesch his the proverbial wall in 2012, bombing out after much hype. Can he finally live up to it a year later? Of course, he'll have to play his way off the bench first.

4 months ago Article 6 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Can Darin Downs be the LOOGY Tigers need?

That Darin Downs made the major leagues at all is remarkable after suffering a fractured skull earlier in his pro baseball career. Can the magic continue in 2013?

4 months ago Article 9 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Can Danny Worth stick around in 2013?

Take 75 North used to be a Tigers minor league blog. It was also the name of Danny Worth's diary in 2012. Will things change in 2013?

4 months ago Article 51 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Will Drew Smyly be part of the Tigers rotation this season?

Since my countdown got all jumbled thanks to the people with the organization that make important decisions like "Spring Training start dates," we're skipping ahead a bit. Mr. Smyly? You're up.

4 months ago Article 6 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Ramon Santiago should improve on his 2012 numbers after playing winter ball this offseason

Ramon Santiago had an abysmal 2012 season, barely clearing the Mendoza line at the plate. After returning to the Dominican Winter League this offseason (he didn't play there before 2012), Santiago hopes to rebound in 2013.

4 months ago Article 15 comments

Tigers 2013 Player Preview: Phil Coke looks to add more strikeouts, flyball points, and glove spikes to his repertoire

With 40 days left until pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training, we're going to start previewing each player on the Tigers' 40-man roster. Naturally, we're starting with #40, left-handed reliever Phil Coke.