Three biggest Detroit Tigers spring training storylines

The Detroit Tigers are prefacing their 2022 season with spring action in Lakeland

After what felt like an eternity of a lockout, the Detroit Tigers are finally on their way to baseball in 2022 with only a short delay in the action. We no longer need to suffer through headlines of hidden meanings from the latest negotiations; instead, fans can focus on hits, mitts, and everything that happens in between those starchy white chalk lines.

With the new season comes a new ball club with new aspirations. There are new talents in this camp from all walks of the transactional road. Tucker Barnhart was acquired via trade, Eduardo Rodriguez, Javier Baez, and Andrew Chafin were all acquired through free agency, and then there are the kids–Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson, who have both risen through the Toledo ranks and have been promised to get a fair shake at an opening day roster spot.

With all of these new faces, the Detroit Tigers‘ tenor has shifted from improving upon the season before securing a division crown. Certainly, the Chicago White Sox remain the class of the AL Central with a loaded lineup featuring Jose Abreu, Eloy Jimenez, Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada, and Luis Robert.

Despite the limited roster battles, though, spring training is still bubbling with intrigue and storylines. No, not new pitches or ‘best shape of his life’ cliches, but decisions that loom that could very well alter the course of the Detroit Tigers’ regular season and ultimately their playoff aspirations.

1. Do Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene make the Detroit Tigers opening day roster?

The fourth and fifth-best prospects in the game are in the Tigers’ system according to MLB Pipeline, and both are vying to be a part of the parent club to start 2022. They are both getting a long look and Avila even commented on the issue; saying they aren’t looking for anything in particular, but they’ll know Torkelson and Green are ready when they see it.

He also discussed service time manipulation; stating that he understands that games at the beginning of the season are just as important as the stretch–that he is not arrogant enough to risk their playoff goal to try for an extra year of service time.

The service time issue was only half-addressed as part of this new collective bargaining agreement. If a player finishes within a certain threshold in the Rookie of the Year voting, that club would be awarded an extra draft pick. For the record, neither Casey Mize nor Tarik Skubal would’ve qualified last season.

I sent out a poll into the social ethers to get the opinion from fans. The results were as follows:

The need is certainly there. The organization would prefer Baddoo at a corner spot opposed to centerfield, making room for Greene–and Cabrera has already spoken on his willingness to DH for Torkelson to make his way into the lineup; a stark contrast to his previous stance about playing in the field.

I believe saving a complete flop spring or injury, both will be on the opening day roster. I’m curious if the organization aligns with my semi-wishful thinking.

2) Who gets the Detroit Tigers’ fifth starter spot?

Michael Pineda was signed to be the Detroit Tigers’ fifth starter in their rotation, so there is no real roster battle here. The issue is one more of logistics. Players are slowly running out of time to arrive at camp–especially starting pitchers, who undoubtedly need more time to stretch themselves out to be prepared for an 80-100-pitch start.

It is anticipated there could be some visa issues with Pineda, and thus, some possibility that he may not be ready for opening day. They start the season with 10-straight games, so they can’t afford to play the game of skipping the fifth starter their first time through and hoping Pineda is here and ready by his second turn through.

Assuming Pineda isn’t here and ready, the fifth starter spot is a four-headed race with two clear-cut favorites. Joey Wentz and Alex Faedo will likely get their respective looks, but I’d assume the organization would prefer to start both in Toledo before bringing them north. That leaves Tyler Alexander and Wily Peralta, who was recently re-signed on a minor league contract with an invite to spring training.