Tigers working way back to respectability
DETROIT Management would like to believe the Detroit Tigers have turned a corner.
After bottoming out with Major League Baseball’s worst record in 2019 at 47-114, and outscored by opponents by 333 runs, it’s hard to believe there’s anywhere to go but up.
“The light at the end of the tunnel is getting a little bit brighter,” Tigers’ general manager Al Avila said on Thursday.
With the buses lined up outside of Comerica Park, players hit the road on Thursday as the club made stops throughout the state on its annual caravan.
“I’m excited to go out and talk to people about this club,” Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. “It’s time to win and show our fans we’re in the right direction and where we’re trying to go and it starts this year.”
Four straight playoff appearances from 2011-14 seem like a distant memory for fans, who’ve not seen the club win more than 64 games in any of the past three seasons.
The club’s commitment to developing youth remains, but so is the team’s desire to put a competitive product on the field. It’s why the club added established veterans such as right-hander Ivan Nova, first baseman C.J. Cron, second baseman Jonathan Schoop and catcher Austin Romine.
“We want players to develop, but they’re going to have to earn some playing time,” the 62-year-old Gardenhire said. “We have choices now. We have competition now and that’s so important.”
Cron and Schoop combined for 48 home runs and 137 runs driven in last season for the Minnesota Twins and should bring some protection to the lineup around Miguel Cabrera.
Romine will get a chance to be a starter in Detroit after being stuck in the backup role with the New York Yankees. With the addition of Eric Haase in a deal with Cleveland, it means Detroit does not have to rush catcher of the future Jake Rogers to the majors.
“Bringing in those guys is going to make our team better,” Avila said. “It’s going to help the young guys at the major league level. Also it gives guys at the minor-league level more time to develop.”
Nova is a veteran who eats innings and provides not only a proven arm, but insurance in case right-hander Jordan Zimmerman is sidelined again by injury. The club still waits for right-hander Michael Fulmer to return to the lineup later in the season.
Avila said the Tigers are seeking a veteran outfielder to put into the mix while Jeimer Candelario will battle Dawel Lugo for the third baseman’s job.
“I think you saw last year — we
We want players to develop, but they’re going to have to earn some playing time . ... We have competition now and that’s so important.
went through a lot of people and we were very young,” Gardenhire said. “We took a lot of beatings, but we also played pretty hard. Those kids have learned and now we’ve brought some other guys in and good competition.”
While this team is not ready to challenge for a Central Division title, it is ready to start building its way back to respectability.
“There’s a lot of guys breaking in trying to make a name for themselves and with that comes opportunity,” Romine said. “Rebuilding, or whatever phrase you want to put on it — every guy wants to win and do well, which helps the team in the end. I see a lot of hungry guys here ready to get after it.”
Pitchers and catchers report to Lakeland, Fla., on Feb. 11, with the first workout Feb. 12. Position players report Feb. 16 with the first full workout scheduled for Feb. 17.