Detroit Tigers: The 2022 Opening Day Dream Lineup

Plenty to be excited about in 2022 for the Detroit Tigers.

With the five or so year rebuild coming to a close and a new day on the horizon, I decided to put together a dream lineup for a competitive 2022 Detroit Tigers team.

One caveat, this will be based somewhat on reality. Of course, the “dream” lineup would have all-stars playing every position on the team. It would have Nolan Arenado at third, Shohei Ohtani on the mound, and hitting dingers in the old English d…this will be more realistic unless of course, you think we could trade for…Ah no, no Allen, calm down.

I know most of you will disagree with my fantasy managing below, but you can’t tell me as a Tigers fan what you’re about to read wouldn’t excite you if it were to come true! Ok without further ado, here is my dream lineup for 2022.

Batting 1st – Robbie Grossman – LF

Grossman is under contract for another year and could be trade bait if the team is scuffling come deadline time.

For now, Robbie Grossman is that leader at the top of the order this team needs to set the table for some of the young superstars we will get to here in a moment.

Grossman isn’t necessarily going to give you a high batting average, but he will work the count and when he does get on base he has the ability to swipe a bag. He had 20 stolen bases this past season.

While I don’t think Grossman is a long-term building block, he’ll be a solid veteran presence.

Another option here could be a free agent signing, and one who I see is a great veteran atop the lineup would be Andrew McCutchen. I don’t think the Tigers are going to make a move quite like that right now. Besides, Grossman and McCutchen had comparable 2021 seasons.

Batting 2nd for the Detroit Tigers: Riley Greene – RF

As said so beautifully in Cinderella, “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes” and my heart is hoping that top prospects Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson break camp with the team next spring, and start this march towards contention right from day one.

Greene had a remarkable 2021 between AA and AAA with a .301 avg, 24 home runs, and 84 RBI. He is a cornerstone for this organization for years to come.

I know some people would want Greene lower in the order to protect him and take some pressure off as he begins his big league journey, but the reigning Tigers offensive minor league player of the year has proven that he is one of the best young players in the world. It should be no sweat off his back to be high up in the batting order.

Batting 3rd – Spencer Torkelson – 1B

Speaking of cornerstones, that brings me to the former number one overall pick in the 2020 MLB draft Spencer Torkelson.

Torkelson had quite the minor league excursion this past year, playing at three different levels, mashing the baseball at every stop. Between high A, AA, and AAA, the man affectionately known as “Tork” clobbered 30 home runs and 91 RBI.

Having his bat third in the lineup may be a little risky, as I’m more confident in Greene’s speedy adjustment to the majors than I am Torkelson, but it can’t hurt having him bat before the next guy in the lineup, ensuring he’ll see some good pitches to hit.

Yes, I’m aware neither “Tork” nor Greene will start the season in Detroit, but it’s my dream! Please don’t try and wake me up!

Batting 4th for your Detroit Tigers: Carlos Correa – SS

The rumor mill has been churning for a while now that the stars are aligning for the Tigers to spend big on a free agent for the first time in years.

This year’s crop of eligible superstars have some big names, and 5 of them can play shortstop. Correa, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Javier Baez, and Trevor Story will all be competing for big free-agent dollars.

The name Carlos Correa has been linked to the Tigers because of his connection with his former Astros manager AJ Hinch, who is of course now the manager of the Tigers.

While some injury history to his back worries me a bit, I can’t help but be excited that this rumor has some legs. Adding Correa to this team would no doubt validate the front office’s promise of contention. A World Series champion and someone who is leading the Astros to another fall classic this season, Correa knows how to win, and would be right at home in the 4th slot of this batting order.

Batting 5th – Jonathan Schoop – 2B

Tigers fans felt a big collective adrenaline rush when instead of trading Schoop mid-season, they signed him to an extension. Schoop has been a solid bat for the Tigers over the past two seasons, and after blasting 22 homers and collecting 84 RBI, he’s no doubt the right man to hit behind and protect Correa.

Schoop played a lot of first base in ’21, but he’ll slide back over to the position he’s played most of his career in ’22, with Torkelson’s arrival.

Detroit Tigers Starting Pitcher – Justin Verlander

Here’s another total fantasy which if the Genie from “Aladdin” came to life and granted me three wishes, one would be for Al Avila and the big brass to bring back future Hall of Famer and Tigers great Justin Verlander.

How great would it be for this to be the year the Tigers actually shock some people and make a run with JV leading the charge? The answer, to quote a famous tiger in his own right, would be grrrrreat!

He hasn’t pitched since 2020 due to Tommy John surgery, but there’s no doubt he’s got a lot left in the tank. All he needs now is a salmon-colored blazer. That being said, maybe we can get the aforementioned Miguel Cabrera fitted for a salmon blazer as well.

https://twitter.com/btsportwwe/status/1273321633181245442?s=20

Closer – Gregory Soto/Michael Fulmer

The Tigers aren’t going to be in the mix for any of the big-name closers like Kenley Jansen or Craig Kimbrel, and I liked most of what I saw from Soto in the role last season. The big drawback would be that Soto walked far too many hitters (40 BB in 63 2/3 innings), but I think that will improve this year.

I liked Soto splitting the role with teammate Michael Fulmer, but with far more years of control to his name, I say let Soto carry the bulk of saves.

Fulmer is a free agent after this upcoming season, so if they want to have him close more games early in the season to build his trade value if I’d be fine with that as well. If Fulmer is going to be a dominant bullpen arm, I wouldn’t mind thinking about signing him long-term if the team is in a position to do so.

There you have it, folks. My reasonable “dream” lineup for opening day 2022.