3 Tigers position battles to watch during 2025 spring training

This time last year, a playoff run hardly seemed to be in the cards for the rebuilding Detroit Tigers. Now, they're looking to become a postseason mainstay.

The Tigers' run to the ALDS in 2024 generated plenty of optimism around the team for the years to come. But that optimism also comes with pressure-packed expectations for the Tigers to prove that their success in 2024 wasn't a fluke.

There are still plenty of questions around Detroit's roster heading into spring training. As the Tigers look to build on last season's success and prove that their surprise playoff run wasn't merely a flash in the pan, expect some tightly contested position battles in Lakeland, Fla., this spring.

3 Tigers position battles to watch during 2025 spring training

Who takes over the back of Tigers' rotation?

The Tigers have their one-two punch at the top of the rotation in Tarik Skubal and Jack Flaherty. We can also probably pencil Reese Olson into the third spot. That spot would have gone to veteran free-agent signing Alex Cobb, but he is expected to miss Opening Day and be sidelined for about a month with a hip injury (and given his recent history, it likely won't be the last time he misses time due to injury this season). Even with a healthy Cobb, the Tigers would still have two rotation spots to fill.

In all likelihood, one of those spots will go to top prospect Jackson Jobe. The Tigers have made it clear that Jobe has not been guaranteed a spot in the Opening Day rotation, but at this point, they may not have much of a choice; that fifth spot is Jobe's to lose.

With Cobb expected to miss time, the Tigers will still need at least one more starter. Do they give Kenta Maeda another shot after a disastrous 2024 campaign? Do they swallow their pride and let Casey Mize reclaim his starting spot? Do they go back to Keider Montero, the rookie who showed promise last year? Detroit has no shortage of options – though none are necessarily ideal – so this will be a more nuanced battle that many might expect.

Who will Tigers' Opening Day starting third baseman be?

Operating under the assumption that Alex Bregman will not be a Tiger before the end of the week, Detroit will have a decision to make at the hot corner. Jace Jung hit .241 and played solid defense after a late-season call-up in 2024, but there are lingering concerns that he may not be ready for an everyday starter role due to his inconsistency at the plate.

Matt Vierling, who is also a capable fourth outfielder, would be the obvious choice as the other half of the platoon at third with Jung; it's unclear, however, how the Tigers would choose to divide at-bats between the two of them. Utility players Andy Ibáñez and Zack McKinstry are also capable of playing third, so they can be options. After all, Jung is coming off of wrist surgery in October; while he is expected to be ready for Opening Day, it's never a bad idea to have a contingency plan (or two) in place.

AJ Hinch to determine Tigers' fourth outfielder, top bench bat

We can expect to see Riley Greene and Parker Meadows in left and center, respectively, but if Vierling is splitting time at third base, that leaves an opening for a platoon in right field.

Wenceel Pérez was a surprise breakout player for the Tigers in 2024 who performed admirably as a fourth outfielder; if he has a strong spring, he could earn a similar role in 2025. There's also Justyn-Henry Malloy, who has shown promise as a power prospect but struggled against Major League pitching during his first taste of the big leagues last year.

The Tigers will also have to address the Spencer Torkelson-sized elephant in the room. Will he hit well enough in spring training to earn a roster spot? Even if he does, Colt Keith has already been penciled in at first base, so what would Torkelson's role be? Will he end up back in Triple-A Toledo (again)? Will he be traded?

No matter how the roster ultimately shakes out, this has to be one of the most exciting and intriguing Tigers spring trainings in recent memory. Let the position battles begin!

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