The Detroit Tigers are expected to promote Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene this year. Potentially 1 or both may make the Opening Day roster.
Multiple scouts are reporting that Dillon Dingler is also close to his MLB debut and predict that he will also debut at some point later this summer.
Given these 2-3 promotions, combined with the seasoning of the young pitchers, what year do you believe the Tigers will turn into a viable competitive team? Let’s define this term as:
- Finishing the year above .500.
- Ending the year in either 1st or 2nd place
- 1 or more players ranked in the top 10 of at least 1 offensive/pitching category
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2024 when the Miguel Cabrera contract has gone away. I believe Miggy’s skills will continue to decline and hold the Tigers back from contending for 1wt place. The Tigers are still a long way behind the CWS. I think they may challenge the .500 record this year, but not any of the other two on the list.
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Any learning curves include dips, so their dependence on inexperienced players will include stop and go progress which will include slumps and trips to Toledo. I optimistically pegged them being competitive by this definition to 2023 in order to let these guys work out the kinks. I sure hope they get a full 2022 season to do this.
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I see the Tigers breaking through the competition barrier in 2023, mainly because their progress in 2021. The new depth will push them to 1st or 2nd place in two seasons of continued improvement. I understand that injuries, slumps, and a better division may set the Tigers back.
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I voted for 2023, but with the stipulation that Greene and Torkelson not be told, by anybody in the Tigers’ organization, that they are the difference-makers. I desperately want to avoid “The Joe Jimenez Effect”, who was anointed the Tigers’ next closer. It’s really a sign of “hoping for the best”, instead of being quietly confident in you player development strategy.
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I think it will be 2024 before they hit all 3 items on the list.
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Technically maybe this year. Bumps in road factored ah more realistically 23 or 24. But mathematically, could this year. As in apparently in standings as above 500 and second place in that division.
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Cleveland was 2nd in 2021 Central but by Aug 1st well out of contention. Unless CWS tank and KC Twins etc join them only 1 team will go to the playoffs from AL Central. Tigers were sub 500 with all AL Central teams in 2021. That is where the Tigers need to improve most, vs AL Central.
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This is just my jaded 2 cents worth but I voted 2024 because at the rate the players association and MLB is going about the contract there may not be a season this year and then it will take another year after that shake off the rust and of course Miggy’s contract and Miggy will be gone so they can put some serious $ into FA.
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I think a lot of non-Detroit observers don’t have much faith in our young pitching. This year will tell a lot in that regard.
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If the Tigers add another free agent starting pitcher, they will win the AL Crntral in 2022. Rodriguez will bolster the starting rotation and the bats of Baez, Barnhart, Torkelson, and Riley Greene will vastly improve the offense.
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I voted for 23 but would not be surprised if AJ and company get there this year. The reason being what AJ accomplished in 21 with a bag of leftover pieces from the Gardy days.
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