SO, what are the expectations for this team?

They will surely increase on their 88 – 74 season.  With Cleveland taking the step last year, I will go out on a limb in suggesting that it will take 98 wins to clinch the AL Central.  This team could win 105 games though.  It will take a lot to make that happen, but the skill level is there and is therefore possible.

As for the post-season, many including myself would say that anything less than another visit to the World Series would be a complete and utter disappointment.  Adding onto that, if the Tigers weren’t celebrating their 1^st World Series title in 24 years come the end of October it would surely sour most fans expectations

One way or the other we have to look at this season as a major step in the right direction though.  This team is for real, the ownership is on board and serious about being mentioned side by side with the big league powerhouses. 

They are showing a true commitment to building something real for years to come.  Look no further than their recent eight year extension of Miguel Cabrera. The $153 million, which locks up the talented 3^rd basemen through the 2015 season in which he’ll turn the tender age of 31, equates to the 4^th highest single contract total in the history of the game. 

Ah yes Tiger fans, Mr. Illitch has proven that he wants a winner on the field.  Ironically all that’s left for the pizza mogul, is the delivery!

Now…on to what may be the Achilles’ heel of this team. If there is one area of concern that this incredible team does have, it would have to be all of the question marks surrounding the bullpen. Even prior to the injuries of Fernando Rodney, and the flame-throwing Joel Zumaya, the Tigers have a couple of serious spots to fill when the open up in less than a week.

Optimism aside, it is obvious that someone is going to step up and have a big year. Be it either of their newly acquired pair in Denny Bautista or Francisco Cruceta, one of their vets, (Zach Miner, Jason Grilli, Bobby Seay or Tim Byrdak) someone needs to maximize on their potential and shine for this team meet their expectations as a whole.

They aren’t going to always mash the ball and win the game 11-10. I know, seems hard to believe. But to be honest, most of the time, they are going to need the pitching to be there. More importantly they need the bullpen to lockdown the games in a similar fashion to that of the Indians ‘pen last year. With Todd Jones’ tendency to create drama in the ninth, the performance of the guys in the 6^th through 8^th may make or break this teams’ chances.

When it comes to their rotation, much can be said about the star quality of their ace Justin Verlander.  He is a rising talent that has shown in his first two seasons the incredible stuff that he has, and what he can do with it.  Last year’s thrilling no-no against the Brewers showed the dynamic ability this young man has.  At the tender age of 25, the sky is the limit for his future, and he is hands down the Tigers go-to starter.
 
After that, the Tigers will come at teams with Jeremy Bonderman, Kenny Rogers, the aforementioned Dontrelle Willis and the “Bulldog” Nate Robertson.  Skill and ability is not the problem with this quartet, as they all have the stuff that is needed to be successful in the majors.

Turning that skill into results is, and what will be, the turning point for how many wins this team can rack up.  Can Bonderman (who was supposed to be what Verlander has become) redeem himself and win the fans over?

At 43, Kenny Rogers has the experience to be the crafty ol’ slinger that they need him to be and after a season filled with injury and sub-par performance.  Simply stated, the Tigers need the “Gambler” to be the leader and at least a shadow of what he was in that enchanting run of the ’06 post-season.

Next up is the D-Train.  He has already shown that he has the stuff, and the good thing about his move to the Tigers is that he doesn’t have to be the marquee “go-to” guy he was depended to be on the Marlins.  Willis can go out and pitch every fifth day and not have the pressure to always be the one that has to stop the bleeding. 

Last and not least, is the formidable Nate Robertson.  Robertson was rewarded for his consistency in the off-season by the Tigers who extended a nice 3 year deal making him comfortably compensated for what at times is a lack of run support.  Nate has been bitten by this lack of support and at times it has affected his win/loss record.  Regardless, Nate is a gamer and they know what they are going to get from him every time he takes the hill.  It is this type of consistency that provides the Tigers rotation with a great back-end and overall, three very good lefties to attack the rest of the league with.