AJ Hinch sends positive message to Tigers fans despite early spring training injuries

The Detroit Tigers are battling a banged-up outfield mix, with Parker Meadows working through a nerve issue in his right arm and Matt Vierling sidelined with a strained rotator cuff — not to mention veteran Alex Cobb's hip inflammation that is expected to keep him out of the rotation until late April/early May.

That isn't dampening the spirits of Tigers manager AJ Hinch, who expressed nothing but optimism when MLB Network stopped in Lakeland, FL during their spring training tour. A scorching 34-19 finish to the 2024 regular season ending punching the team's postseason ticket for the first time since 2014 as Detroit officially enters a new competitive window.

With that year of added experience under its belt, this club has its eyes on the AL Central crown, something it hasn't won in more than a decade. Jack Flaherty returned in free agency to headline the rotation alongside reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, and reinforcements are waiting in the wings in the form of baseball's top-ranked farm system, according to MLB Pipeline.

The only problem? Injuries have hit the Tigers hard early in spring training, and they're certainly altering the Opening Day picture. However, that hasn't stopped Hinch from focusing on the main goal.

"I think it's important for us to just have that next man mentality," Hinch told MLB Network. "We'll find a way. We've proven to ourselves we can do it."

Tigers need to punch their way back to the postseason offensively

This team will only go as far as its offense carries it, though, and the Tigers are hoping last season's mini-breakout from Riley Greene was just a sign of things to come. The former first-rounder put up a 135 wRC+ in 137 games last year, but he'll need the guys around him to step up. A full season of production from Kerry Carpenter (160 wRC+ in 87 games) would really deepen the look and feel of the lineup, as would a bounce-back showing from new second baseman Gleyber Torres.

Fangraphs projects the Tigers as an 82-win team heading into 2025, a number they'll have to outperform if they want to make it two trips to October baseball in a row. Minnesota narrowly edges them in the projections at 83 victories, which pretty much tells the story of a very winnable American League Central. Unless you're the Chicago White Sox, you've got a shot at taking this thing.

Having an experienced manager like Hinch, who, despite early key injuries is keeping his cool and not pressing the panic button, is a huge asset for a team like the Tigers. A calm hand and cool head at the helm could be the difference between just missing out on a postseason berth or sneaking into the playoffs.