Five Detroit Tigers Who Need To Bounce Back In 2013

September 7, 2012; Anaheim, CA, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder Brennan Boesch (26) hits a single in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

4. Brennan Boesch

Brennan Boesch doesn’t figure to receive as much playing time in 2013 as he did in 2012, but he’s going to need to make the most of every opportunity. Not so much to help the organization out – though that’s part of it – but to save his career.

Boesch was the sexy pick for breakout player of the year (even nationally) but he only managed a .659 OPS in 503 plate appearances. The extreme failure was due to a poor first three months – he put up a .720 OPS from July on – but he never produced enough to make up for his poor defensive play in right field.

The Tigers have stated that they’re going to tender him a contract for 2013 – he’s a first year arbitration eligible player – so they’re still willing to commit $1-2 million to Boesch to see what he can do, but he’ll be 28 next year and he’s past the point in his career in which you woul expect him to develop a quality approach at the plate. If he doesn’t produce in 2013, he may not get many more chances to prove he can be an above-average big league hitter.