Detroit Tigers: Buyers or sellers? Justin Verlander’s future? MCB staff discusses

Oct 18, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers fans celebrate and hold up a sign after game four of the 2012 ALCS against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park. The Tigers won 8-1 to sweep the series and advance to the World Series. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Fast forward to October 4, will the Tigers be headed to the playoffs or to the golf course? If you see them making the postseason, how far will they go?

Steve: The Tigers are parting ways with each other on October 4th. Some never to come back (Price, Simon), some to possibly comeback (Cespedes) and most to go home and reenergize.

Zane: As it stands, it feels hard to believe this is still a playoff team. However, my gut tells me that with Dombrowski’s inevitable deadline deals this team will be the favorite to grab the second wild card spot. If they can get out of that game, I can certainly see them getting out of the ALDS, and potentially the ALCS, depending on what players they add. This team has the framework for success but seems to missing some essential pieces.

Matt P.: As much as I want them to sell, I don’t think they will. They will finish in third or fourth place in the division, well back of the Royals and probably 5-6 games out of a wild-card spot. With so many free agents and a general manager who is technically also a free agent, what happens next for the Detroit Tigers three months from now is anyone’s guess.

Blair: Anything can happen but it’s not looking too good at this point for October playoff baseball. I’m actually looking forward to the trade deadline because I think with the right moves this team could be right back in it in 2016.

Dave: If they can make it to the playoffs, it’s a whole new season, so it’s tough to judge how far they could go. Perhaps Ausmus could move to a three-man rotation in October, and if the back end of the bullpen gets right again, Detroit could make a run, but realistically, I don’t think they will make the playoffs.

Kansas City is going to win the division, and the Twins proved over last weekend that they aren’t going anywhere. The best I see Detroit finishing is second in the wild card and that’s best case scenario.

Tom Z.: The Detroit Tigers will be one of the two American League Wild Card teams at the end of the season. If they win the Wild Card game, they will lose in the ALDS and head for the long rebuild ahead of them.

Tom P.: Golf Course. For all the reasons I have stated.

Matt S.: Unfortunately this team is going to try to make a run at the playoffs. However, I have no idea how they will make it with the current horrific state of pitchers on the roster.

Next: 5 Detroit Tigers that should be in Hall of Fame