Detroit Tiger Opening Day roster prediction 1.0

Starting rotation: Eduardo Rodriguez, Spencer Turnbull, Matthew Boyd, Michael Lorenzen, Matt Manning

The rotation is pretty set for the most part. E-rod, Boyd, Lorenzen, and Manning should all get spots, unless they get hurt or struggle. Turnbull is probably the biggest question mark because he's coming back from Tommy John surgery. Luckily, he has the whole spring to stretch out a bit and test that arm. There are some that think he could end up in the bullpen, but I think he gets another crack at the rotation.

Bullpen: Alex Lange, Jason Foley, Jose Cisnero, Will Vest, Trey Wingenter, Matt Wisler, Chasen Shreve, Joey Wentz

This was a bit tough to pick toward the end. Lange, Cisnero, Foley, and Vest all should be pretty safe. The rest is not nearly as clear.

I went with two of the newest additions, Wingenter and Wisler, to round out the right-handers. Wingenter just has to stay healthy, because when he is, he's nasty. He throws hard and has a wicked slider.

Wisler was actually just signed on Monday. He's 30 years old and pretty much just spams his slider. He threw it 91% of the time with the Rays in 2022. He'll add a veteran presence and Chris Fetter should have a lot of fun with him.

The lefties are where things get really interesting. I have Tyler Alexander on the outside looking in at the moment. I was kind of surprised he wasn't non-tendered back in November. It kind of felt like his time with the Tigers was up.

In his place, I have Joey Wentz, who could easily take a spot in the rotation if somebody gets hurt. If he pitches like he did at the end last year, they have to give him a spot, even if it's in the bullpen. Taking Alexander's two-three inning/swing man role seems like a nice compromise.

Chasen Shreve gets the last spot the designated LOOGY role that Andrew Chafin served last year. If he keeps the walks down he should win a spot.