The Detroit Tigers are squarely in the midst of a rebuild. Is there any reason for hope in 2018?
For the first time in over a decade, the Detroit Tigers are clearly in the midst of a rebuild. Familiar faces such as Ian Kinsler, Justin Upton, and franchise icon Justin Verlander have been traded away, with Verlander winning that elusive World Series with the Houston Astros. Yes, familiar faces remain, headlined by future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera, but there is a changing of the guard in Detroit.
Instead of heading into the season with postseason aspirations, there is a different goal ahead for the Tigers. Now, they are looking to find their future core, searching for players to add to Nicholas Castellanos and Michael Fulmer. Indeed, the 2018 season is not necessarily going to be considered a success based on wins and losses, but on what pieces they find for the next postseason push in Detroit.
Should that really be the case? Miguel Cabrera is still in a Tigers uniform, as is Victor Martinez. Jordan Zimmermann feels better this season, and the bullpen could be quietly good. If everything falls into place, the Tigers could be a surprising team in the coming year. However, there are quite a few ifs for that to happen.
In what should be a competitive division, the Detroit Tigers are expected to bring up the rear. Is there any realistic hope that will not be the case?