Detroit Tigers Rank Highly in MCB’s First Power Rankings of 2017

Detroit Tigers fans will see a similar team return in 2017. While the Tigers didn’t make many moves, plenty of other teams were active in the offseason. Here’s where Detroit sits in our power rankings.

Detroit Tigers players return in 2017 with an excellent shot at returning to the playoffs.

After an offseason filled with rumors, the team remains largely intact.

Miguel Cabrera, Justin Verlander, J.D. Martinez and Ian Kinsler are still wearing a Detroit uniform. The same can be said for Francisco Rodriguez, Justin Wilson, Victor Martinez and Justin Upton.

Really, the only significant contributor from last year’s team that is playing elsewhere is Cameron Maybin.

The fleet-of-foot outfielder was dealt to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for pitching prospect Victor Alcantara.

Maybin’s place in the outfield will likely be taken by one of JaCoby Jones, Mikie Mahtook or Tyler Collins. All three bring a combination of pop and speed to the game.

The only other notable change is on the bench, where the Tigers swapped out Jarrod Saltalamacchia for Alex Avila and let Erick Aybar and Casey McGehee depart in free agency.

Aybar and McGehee seem likely to be replaced by slick-fielding prospect Dixon Machado, while Andrew Romine will once again play a key role on the bench.

With a strong core returning, here’s where the Detroit Tigers stack up in Motor City Bengals’ first power rankings of the season.