Detroit Tigers Links: Offseason Plan, Best Rotation in MLB, Bullpen Roles & Lineup Not Set

Mar 5, 2014; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (37) pitches during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Why extending Max Scherzer was never part of the Tigers’ offseason needs – Kurt Mensching – Bless You Boys

Now the Tigers’ rotation has $42 million for two starters beginning in 2015, with Ray expected to join the low-cost Drew Smyly (3.29 ERA, 3.17 FIP, 18 career starts in 83 games) in creating the core of the group for years to come. Whether you believe this is a good idea clearly depends on your feelings about Ray and Smyly. The Tigers, however, with a successful track record of evaluating young pitching, are high on the duo.

I agree that it’s looked for some time that the Detroit Tigers would be just fine allowing Max Scherzer to walk. They’re trying to win now, sure, but some of the moves this offseason indicate that they’re keeping an eye on the future as well.

2014 Positional Power Rankings: Starting Pitchers – Jeff Sullivan – FanGraphs

#1 TigersIn this same exercise last March, we had the Tigers projected for baseball’s best starting rotation. The Tigers subsequently had baseball’s best starting rotation, exceeding our projections by more than 5 WAR. For as much as can be said about the Doug Fister trade, it’s not like the Tigers left themselves with a weakness; they simply didn’t get enough in return. They still have five solid big-league starters, and at least three of them are considerably better than solid. Verlander, Scherzer, Sanchez — spread among different teams, they could all conceivably be staff aces. Here they are, united, and supported by talent at No.’s 4 and 5.

For all the consternation regarding spring injuries, it’s important to remember that this team holds the best starting rotation in baseball. And Miguel Cabrera. When you have those two things, you’re going to be quite good.

Brad Ausmus: Joe Nathan remains lone pitcher in bullpen with set role – Chris Iott – MLive

Could Ausmus mix and match in the eighth inning depending on matchups? Could closer Joe Nathan be called upon to get more than three outs at a time? Could Joba Chamberlain end up being the main setup guy? Could Al Alburquerque? Could Evan Reed pitch in the eighth? Could a left-hander — possibly Phil Coke — pitch the eighth if the opposing team has left-handed hitters lined up?Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

I’m just going to close my eyes and hope that everything just works out.

Tigers’ order yet to be set – Tom Gage – Detroit News

But the only sure spots in the order are the ones that have been sure the entire spring — Cabrera third and Martinez at cleanup.It’s safe to say Ian Kinsler will hit leadoff much of the time.And newly acquired shortstop Alex Gonzalez will hit ninth most of the time.But nothing is set yet in Silly Putty, let alone stone.

The order of batters doesn’t make as much of a difference as we sometimes make it out to, but I kind of like that there’s nothing set in stone yet. Things should be a little bit fluid base upon the opposing starters’ handedness and expected splits.