Detroit Tigers: Predicting the 2018 players and positions

As the Detroit Tigers continue to win some and lose more, all eyes are on the valuable trade pieces.

Detroit Tigers Justin Verlander, J.D. Martinez, Ian Kinsler, and Justin Wilson continue to be names that local and national media experts continue to look at as trading chips.

This begs the question about the 2018 Detroit Tigers line up and who will actually be on it?

Our sister FanSided site Detroit Jock City took a gander at predicting the possible 2018 line up prior to the mass exodus of veterans that many are predicting will happen prior to trade deadline. While no one really knows what mastermind Al Avila will do with his overpaid team, there are a few faces that are certain remain in Detroit for a few more years.

Will this be the 2018 Tigers line up?

Matt Snyder at Detroit Jock City is predicting that the low-cost youngsters James McCann and Nicholas Castellanos will continue to play catcher and third base. He also predicts the old guys, Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez will remain Tigers for the duration. His big change involves second base, where he predicts Dixon Machado will become the daily double-play partner of Jose Iglesias. Finally, Snyder predicts that Justin Upton will remain in Detroit and will patrol the spacious outfield with Mikie Mahtook and up-and-comer Christin Stewart.

I like what Snyder is predicting. At the end of spring training, it was unfathomable that Dixon Machado would have a real chance of taking a roster spot in Detroit. But, Machado is actually batting .302 right now! (I don’t expect that to last). I do think that there is a chance that JaCoby Jones could reappear and take second base, especially if a team shows any interest in the young Machado.

The Christin Stewart idea has merit

As a big J.D. Martinez fan, I cringe at the idea of him wearing any other uniform, but Christin Stewart, who is only 23, could be a quality replacement. His bat is full of power – he record 30 home runs in Double-A Erie and Single-A Lakeland in 2016. He has 18 home runs so far in 2017 with the SeaWolves. His minor league career stats are .270/.375/.525 with an OPS of .900.

Stewart rarely goes more than one game without getting a hit, but he has had a small five-game hitless streak at the end of May. Otherwise, the guy is solid at the plate. But, if he does become a real option to replace Martinez, the Tigers need to get Stewart in right field, stat. He has only played one game in right – in the Arizona Fall League. The rest of his defensive time has been in left, where he has had a respectable career fielding percentage of .977.

Mahtook is playing for a full-time role

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It already appears that Mikie Mahtook has proven he can handle playing centerfield on a regular basis. However, I’m of the opinion that JaCoby Jones will get back up the Detroit and will take either this spot or second base. If Mahtook can make more catches like that highlight-reel catch he made against Salvador Perez, then he will stay there for as long as the Tigers will have him.

Thoughts on Justin Verlander

What Snyder at Detroit Jock City did not share was his ideas for the rotation, which is where the big discussions in the national media have been focused. However, I am of the mind that Justin Verlander, will use his 10-and-5 rights to stay in Detroit through the remainder of his contract. He will be a lifer, like Al Kaline and Alan Trammell. Then he will work with the young pitchers, just like Tram and Kaline have worked with young players. I know this is not the popular choice, but Verlander has already said he will not leave Detroit and so far, the Ace has been good on his word.

Next: The problem isn't pace of play - it's the lack of plays

The prediction for 2018 is for a lean year of wins. But, sometimes the young guys can use their athleticism in surprising ways. I try to be as optimistic as possible, but without J.D. Martinez, Ian Kinsler, and Alex Avila, there are going to be some game without many big hits.