The good, the bad, & the ugly on the Detroit Tigers 2024 season

The Detroit Tigers are about to get going on the 2024 season. They will be in Chicago on the south side of town, kicking things off with a series against the White Sox. Detroit has their sights set on improvement, and the 2024 season should allow them a chance to do so, as they are fighting in the American League (AL) Central Division.

It will be interesting to see what happens with the Detroit Tigers season, and many folks are seemingly optimistic. I feel cautiously optimistic, but some things still worry me when I look at this Tigers roster. There are some good things, some bad things, and some ugly things, with a lot of stuff left to be seen. But everyone's starting to make their predictions.

The Tigers have their work cut out for themselves, but in a horrid AL Central Division, there's a chance that they will be able to compete. Detroit is seemingly one of the better teams in the division overall and has an opportunity to make a statement. It will be a deciding factor based on how the team's offense is, with some new pieces around the field.

A.J. Hinch has his group heading into 2024; the Tigers just need to take the next step and actually start moving in the right direction. Getting over that hump has been the motto for years, but it feels like there's a chance that in 2024, it could be the year.

Detroit Tigers have a chance to shock the world in 2024.

"The Good"

The Detroit Tigers have a healthy pitching staff. *Knock on wood* The team has a five-man rotation that should be able to compete. They brought in some mediocre to good arms that are better than some of the pitchers who ran out there in years past. They're not overpaying for a year of Mike Pelfrey but rather expecting big things from arms like Jack Flaherty and Kenta Maeda.

The Tigers' pitching staff has a chance to help carry the team at times. The team's offense looks ready to take a step forward. Better performances from some of their returning players, like Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson, could be huge. If they are able to accomplish this, they are going to win some ballgames.

Lastly, in "the good" section is A.J. Hinch. The Tigers have a great manager in Hinch, and he's done great for this organization. Detroit's fortunate to have him; he has a chance to take this team out of the trenches and back into a better level of play. There's plenty of "good" on this team; the task at hand will be getting the best out of everyone day in and day out.

"The Bad"

The Tigers may have gotten better, but there are still some things that should leave folks a bit worried. There's room for this team to get better, and there are some areas that might cause some worries heading into the 2024 season. For me, the third base conundrum is not great.

Colt Keith signed his extension and will hold down a position, but if he plays second base, then it's a tandem of Gio Urshela and Matt Vierling at third base. There's some concern about not having a complete lineup to rely on consistently, with third base being a hole to worry about in 2024.

Beyond that, the backend of the bullpen still worries me. I love Alex Lange and want to love him as a closer, but I'm just not sold. Hopefully, he can prove things in 2024, but he's got his work cut out for him.

"The Ugly"

There's one thing that really stands out when it comes to the Tigers organization and their 2024 season. There is a severe lack of depth on this roster. While the team has made some additions and brought in some new faces, there are not many players to replace them if needed.

If the Tigers have an injury, they have limited depth to call upon. Their catching tandem is a hope and pray scenario. Jake Rogers has high standards to live up to, and the team's riding the high of Carson Kelly's good spring. But, even at other positions, the team's roster is light. Injuries could become a problem & quickly.

On top of that, the team's starting rotation thins out. Joey Wentz has shifted to the bullpen, and Alex Faedo will be joining him there for the time being after making the roster as a reliever. Matt Manning was optioned to Triple-A, with a chance to come up and start as needed, but after Manning and Beau Brieske, there's not much else to like with big-league experience.

The Tigers' lack of depth could be the difference between a competitive year and a season that crumbles before their eyes.