2008 Preview: Detroit Tigers

Detroit's overwhelming offense and shaky bullpen figure to make the finish of many Tigers games dramatic -- one way or the other this season. Slugging third baseman Miguel Cabrera was added to an already strong lineup and former 20-game winner Dontrelle Willis hopes to return to form. But is starter Jeremy Bonderman healthy and who can set up closer Todd Jones, a high-wire act even when effective?

==============
DETROIT TIGERS
==============
The bullpen decisions this spring may go down to the wire even though manager Jim Leyland said recently he thought he'd have it all wrapped up soon. "I'm going to check the springs some of these guys have had in the past. Some guys have lit it up every spring and then haven't been worth a (bleep)," Leyland said. "We'll get our investigative team out there, smell around a little bit and get some information."
The probability that right-handed setup man Fernando Rodney will again be sidelined with shoulder tendinitis when the season starts means Leyland will be looking to fill two spots in the seven-pitcher bullpen. Lefties Bobby Seay and Tim Byrdak are "etched in stone" as two of the seven, Leyland said, and right-handed closer Todd Jones also is a certainty. Right-handers Jason Grilli and Zach Miner are also locks for a bullpen hurt by the loss of right-hander Joel Zumaya, injured in an offseason accident and unavailable until at least mid-summer.
Right-hander Denny Bautista has been impressive since pitching coach Chuck Hernandez switched him to the no-windup mode, and the non-roster invitee is getting serious consideration for a spot. Former Indians right-hander Francisco Cruceta has had all sorts of visa problems in the Dominican Republic, setting him so far back he won't be able to claim a job in Detroit to start the season. Right-hander Yorman Bazardo is out of options, but has been out-pitched by non-roster minor leaguer Aquilino Lopez.
"I'll have to do it by committee if Rodney's not available," Leyland said of the setup role. "If somebody steps up, fine. Would I like to have somebody do it consistently? Yes. Do we have that guy? I don't know. Do we have the talent to do it? Yes. Do we have the mental part, the makeup, the talent -- the combination? I don't know that yet."
Curtis Granderson isn't focused on duplicating his rare feat of 30 doubles, 20 triples, 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season, but would like to score 100 times. "Last year wasn't a plan or a goal to get to that point. It just happened," Granderson said. "Fan-wise, people are stepping it up beyond that and saying, 'Can you do 30-30?' Again, it's not on my agenda to do that. It's just going out there and trying to improve on the negative stuff from last year, and that's my goal. If I get close to it again, great. If I don't, hopefully everything else ends up being positive."
Brandon Inge played an inning at shortstop March 14, his fourth position this spring. Inge has also caught, played third base and in the outfield. Inge has looked better at the plate than last year, but his salary and low batting average are working against his desire to get traded and be a regular at third base elsewhere. The Tigers won't deal him if they have to pick up part of his salary, so it would seem he's going to open the season in a reserve role with Detroit.
C Ivan Rodriguez will see some time at the top of the batting order, according to Leyland. "I think it pumps him up a little," the manager said of Rodriguez batting first. "It's good for him, psychologically. There's a good chance I'll lead him off against a lot of left-handers. He's an excellent baserunner, and he's still fast. He's cut down on (reaching for) some balls. He's a little better disciplined. The balls he hit that were doubles last year are home runs this year. He's hitting the ball with authority -- to all fields." Rodriguez hit the weights harder this winter and did less leg work.
ARRIVALS: SS Edgar Renteria (trade with Braves), OF Jacque Jones (trade with Cubs), RHP Denny Bautista (trade with Rockies), 3B Miguel Cabrera and LHP Dontrelle Willis (trade with Marlins), OF Freddy Guzman and RHP Armando Galarraga (trade with Rangers).
DEPARTURES: RHP Jair Jurrjens (trade to Braves), INF Omar Infante (trade to Cubs), RHP Jose Capellan (trade to Rockies), LHP Andrew Miller, CF Cameron Maybin and C Mike Rabelo (trade to Marlins), 1B Chris Shelton (trade to Rangers), RHP Chad Durbin (free agent, to Phillies), 1B Sean Casey (free agent, to Red Sox).
PROJECTED ROTATION:
1. RHP Justin Verlander
2. LHP Kenny Rogers
3. RHP Jeremy Bonderman
4. LHP Dontrelle Willis
5. LHP Nate Robertson
The order of Willis and Robertson may not be determined until the end of spring training as Leyland assesses how he wants them to line up between Bonderman and Verlander. Leyland is known to use off days to reconfigure his rotation to create favorable matchups down the road and give his starters extra rest. Injuries caused a lot of missed starts by rotation members last season, and Leyland will be holding his breath it doesn't happen again because there is little ready help in the minors.
PROJECTED BULLPEN:
RHP Todd Jones (closer)
RHP Denny Bautista
LHP Bobby Seay
RHP Jason Grilli
RHP Zach Miner
LHP Tim Byrdak
RHP Yorman Bazardo
This bullpen could be good but it would be emphatically good if it had RHP Joel Zumaya, out until at least midseason for the second consecutive year, this time with an offseason right shoulder injury that required surgery. Leyland will go inning-by-inning now whereas he would have used Zumaya as a shut-down guy for up to nine outs if necessary. Bazardo is out of options and will have to fend off a stiff challenge from non-roster RHP Aquilino Lopez. Bautista has pitched himself into strong consideration to hold down a spot until RHP Fernando Rodney (shoulder tendinitis) is ready.
PROJECTED LINEUP:
1. CF Curtis Granderson
2. 2B Placido Polanco
3. DH Gary Sheffield
4. RF Magglio Ordonez
5. 3B Miguel Cabrera
6. 1B Carlos Guillen
7. SS Edgar Renteria
8. C Ivan Rodriguez
9. LF Jacque Jones
Leyland likes to tinker, such as sitting Granderson against certain lefties and possibly having Sheffield and Cabrera flip-flopped or Renteria batting ninth. Jones won't play against lefties, either, as OF/1B Marcus Thames gets some game action.
PROJECTED RESERVES:
UT Brandon Inge
OF/1B Marcus Thames
SS Ramon Santiago
UT Ryan Raburn
Inge becomes the reluctant backup catcher with Raburn the emergency third catcher as Vance Wilson continues to recover from elbow surgery last June. Inge still wants to be traded so he can play third base every day for somebody, but that might not happen until July, if at all.
TOP ROOKIES: No rookie is likely to make the Opening Day roster, but several are on the cusp. INF Michael Hollimon is about ready for backup duty if needed, and 1B Jeff Larish, who has serious power, hopes his first exposure to Triple-A pitching will position him for a call-up if needed. RHP Freddy Dolsi has impressed and could turn into a mid-year call-up.
MEDICAL WATCH: RHP Joel Zumaya (right shoulder AC joint surgery) is playing light catch on alternate days but is expected to be out until at least midseason. ... C Vance Wilson (Tommy John surgery, June 13) will open the season on the disabled list. ... RHP Fernando Rodney (right shoulder tendinitis) needs more work off the mound (his second stint was worse than his first) and probably won't be ready by Opening Day.