1: How is the health of the team? Some of the major bumps in the road for any MLB squad are injuries. No team is unaffected by them, although it usually takes wear and tear during the season for those injuries to add up. However, the problem for the 2010 Tigers will be getting healthy to start the year. A number of key contributors are question marks and their health will greatly impact this team. Rookie 2B Scott Sizemore is expected to be a huge factor this year, but is coming off of a broken ankle suffered in the Arizona Fall League. All reports on the young player are good thus far. 3B Brandon Inge is dealing with rehab from surgeries on both of his knees which leave him on the shelf for the beginning of Spring and possibly keep him from playing in the field for even longer. Ex-LF Carlos Guillen has missed over 100 games in the past two seasons combined and isn't getting any younger. Will his new role as DH keep him healthy? To stay in what looks to be a tight division race, the Tigers will need to stay healthy.
2: What does the addition of LF Johnny Damon mean to the team? The addition of Damon affects the team in a number of way. It moves Carlos Guillen from LF to DH, hopefully reducing the wear and tear the now injury-prone player will incur during the season. It gives extra veteran leadership to a team that will be starting two rookies in 2B Scott Sizemore and CF Austin Jackson. But most of all, the Tigers are getting a solid offensive player. Damon is expected to form a one-two punch with Jackson at the top of the lineup, and the Tigers are hoping for another 100+ run season and a few stolen bases from the always consistent veteran.
3: Who will man the back end of the rotation? The Tigers have a number of candidates for the #4 and #5 spots in their rotation, and they will likely have to use all of them throughout the season. RHP Jeremy Bonderman looks to man the 4th spot, but how long will he hang onto it? Bonderman has dealt with a blood clot in his shoulder that kept him to 12 starts in 2008, and subsequent pain from said blood clot that limited to eight games in 2009. If he has put that injury behind him he will be a huge boost to the rotation. The fifth spot presents another set of problems. A battle is forming between LHP Dontrelle Willis, LHP Nate Robertson, and RHP Armando Galarraga. The Tigers would love to have either Willis of Robertson step up and claim the spot, as they are being paid a combined $22 million, but both have had huge struggles with consistency. Galarraga was Detroit's best arm in 2008, going 13-7, but followed that up with a sub-par 2009 season, going 6-10. The Tigers are hoping one of these pitchers rediscovers their magic and solidifies the rotation.
4: Will 1B Miguel Cabrera avoid off the field trouble this season? Cabrera's antics became tabloid fodder towards the end of the 2009 season. The list of misdeeds include drunk driving, domestic disturbances, and getting picked up from jail by Detroit General Manager Dave Dombrowski. This offseason Cabrera spent three months in a rehab facility, and has shown up to camp clean and sober. Detroit needs Cabrera on the field and out of trouble in 2010.
5: Where will the Tigers finish the season? The AL Central is one of the toughest divisions in baseball. In 2009, it's winner wasn't decided until an epic one-game playoff between the Tigers and Twins saw Minnesota emerge victorious. Lead by a solid 1-2-3 punch at the top of their rotation, the Tigers look to be competitive again in 2010, but will there be enough runs to keep them in the race? You can find Detroit to win the AL Pennant at 14/1 and to win the World Series at 28/1 over at Sportsbook.com.
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