Detroit Tigers: 4 mistakes from last offseason that Scott Harris can't repeat

Patchworking the bullpen

The Detroit Tigers had a top-10 bullpen by ERA in 2022. Michael Fulmer, Joe Jimenez, Andrew Chafin, and Alex Lange led the charge for the best Tigers bullpen in recent memory.

Most of those pieces either left in free agency or were traded last offseason. To replace them, Harris brought in a bunch of journeyman and reclamation projects to fill out the bullpen. Guys like Trey Wingenter, Chasen Shreve, and Tyler Holton came in and carved out roles for themselves.

Things ended up being okay, but it was a disaster at the beginning of the season. The first two weeks were a complete dumpster fire. Nobody in that bullpen could throw strikes or hold a lead. The Tigers started 2-9 largely because they couldn't close out games.

Luckily, again, things stabilized a bit, but the bullpen still wasn't nearly as good as it was in 2022. Harris cannot build a makeshift bullpen again. The Tigers have to have some horses back there in 2024. They need a another arm, preferably two, that can pitch in leverage situations.

One of A.J. Hinch's biggest strengths is his bullpen management. Harris needs to take advantage of that.