Detroit Tigers: Way too early 2022 roster predictions

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Aug 28, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher Eric Haase (13) reaches first base on a fielders choice during the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers Opening Day Roster 2022

C: Eric Haase

1B: Jonathan Schoop

2B: Isaac Paredes

SS: Marcus Semien

3B: Jeimer Candelario

RF: Riley Greene

CF: Starling Marte

LF: Robbie Grossman

DH: Miguel Cabrera

Bench: Jake Rogers, Harold Castro, Willi Castro, Derek Hill

SP: Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal, Justin Verlander, Matthew Boyd, Matt Manning

RP: Gregory Soto, Kyle Funkhouser, Jose Cisnero, Collin McHugh, Michael Fulmer, Tyler Alexander, Derek Holland, Alex Lange

This isn’t actually a ton of turnover for a below .500 team. The Detroit Tigers have identified a few guys who can be kept around for more looks like Haase, Rogers, Hill, and others.

They have the two major prospects looming in Greene and Torkelson which so much of the future relies upon. This look has Greene starting on Opening Day. If he tears up the Grapefruit League he goes North. Torkelson might be in Detroit to play first-base by mid-May when Schoop would slide to second-base and Cabrera would be a full-time DH.

Ryan Kreidler’s development could force his way to Detroit at some point as well.

Overall take on the 2022 Detroit Tigers predictions

Adding Semien, Marte, and Greene to the lineup lengthen the danger looming in the lineup considerably. If the Tigers have any realistic designs at making a real move toward a 90-win plateau and playoff contention they aren’t going to find the mojo for that completely from their internal system.

They will have to bold. Or call it “reckless” if you want. They don’t have the depth in their system right now to pull off the patient approach any longer.

They have sustained massive payrolls in the previous decade. This plan doesn’t really approach those days. But it’s a nod in that direction. It gets the Tigers over the league average payroll but not in the Mount Everest region.

The amount of TV money, digital income, and revenue sharing put a lot of money in the coffers before a single ticket is sold. They can afford three marquee players. Indeed none of the three are even going to be among the highest-paid free agents.

The Tigers have made some internal changes to the front office this week. Hopefully, these new positions mean a change in direction with regard to payroll and free agency. The Tigers can contend with a few thunderclap moves this winter. Will they fulfill Ilitch’s talk of being “aggressive” in free agency?

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