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Detroit Tigers: Way-too-early 25-man roster prediction

By Andy Patton

DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 24: Joe Jimenez #77 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the eighth inning at Comerica Park on August 24, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The teams are wearing their Players Weekend jerseys and hats. The Tigers defeated the White Sox 7-2. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 24: Joe Jimenez #77 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the eighth inning at Comerica Park on August 24, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The teams are wearing their Players Weekend jerseys and hats. The Tigers defeated the White Sox 7-2. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Tigers
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 30: Niko Goodrum #28 of the Detroit Tigers follows through on his ninth inning home run against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 30, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

The Detroit Tigers have a busy offseason ahead of them. Here’s our first projection for the 25-man roster come Opening Day 2019.

The Detroit Tigers started their offseason off with, well not a bang necessarily but a move nonetheless, releasing five players from their 40-man roster. Artie Lewicki was claimed by the Diamondbacks, while Pete Kozma, Louis Coleman and Jim Adduci all elected free agency. Harold Castro accepted his assignment to Triple-A Tacoma.

That move has little ramifications on the expected 25-man roster come Opening day 2019. The team has some glaring holes to fill at shortstop and first base, and could afford to find veteran options on the mound that they can try to trade next July, a la Mike Fiers last season.

With the World Series not even over, it’s far too early to make projections on Detroit’s roster next season. However, we are going to take a stab at it anyway. The team doesn’t project to make many big moves, just a series of small moves to keep the team relatively competitive while they build toward a competition window in 2020 or so.

Here is a position-by-position breakdown of what the 25-man roster could look like next season, starting with the infield:

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