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Detroit Tigers: American League Central Offseason Review

By Ben Rosener

Aug 6, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; A general view as Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Yordano Ventura (30) pitches to Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) in the second inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 6, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; A general view as Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Yordano Ventura (30) pitches to Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) in the second inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Tigers
Sep 22, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias (1) tags out Minnesota Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco (11) trying to steal second base in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Twins

Notable Additions: Jason Castro, Craig Breslow and Ryan Vogelsong

Notable Losses: Trevor Plouffe, Kurt Suzuki, Tommy Milone and Pat Light

Both Chicago and Kansas City made moves during the offseason to better themselves for the future.

That’s what the Minnesota Twins have been doing for the past few seasons.

Minnesota was particularly active during the middle of 2016.

The team moved veterans Eduardo Nunez, Fernando Abad, Ricky Nolasco, Sean Burnett and Oswaldo Arcia around midseason.

While the Twins didn’t make any trades during the offseason, they did release Trevor Plouffe. The release of the infielder represented perhaps the club’s most significant move.

Plouffe’s WAR in 84 games last season was only -0.4, but he did contribute 12 home runs, 47 RBI, a 91 wRC+ and a .160 ISO.

For a rebuilding team, that’s a lot of production to replace.

The team also swapped out free agent catchers, opting for Jason Castro to replace the departing Kurt Suzuki.

Minnesota will also be hoping the likes of Max Kepler, Miguel Sano and Byron Buxton continue to develop in 2017.

Things are less certain in the starting rotation. Ervin Santana returns, but he’s the only starter from last season who turned in an ERA under 5.00.

Following Santana in the rotation order will be some combination of Kyle Gibson, Tyler Duffey, Jose Berrios, Hector Santiago and Phil Hughes.

In addition to posting high ERAs last season, none of the aforementioned group managed to strikeout more than 7.6 batters per nine innings.

By comparison, Anibal Sanchez punched out 7.92 batters per nine innings.

How Minnesota’s Moves Affect the Detroit Tigers

The Tigers should benefit the most from Minnesota’s change behind the plate.

Kurt Suzuki mashed three home runs and collected eight RBI in 14 games against Detroit last season.

For his career, the backstop is a .283 batter with a .731 OPS in 86 games against the Tigers.

Replacing Suzuki at backstop is Jason Castro, who is a .154 hitter with just a .452 lifetime OPS versus Detroit.

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