Spring Training is finally upon us!
It may be snowy and cold in Michigan but the Detroit Tigers are in sunny, warm Lakeland, Florida beginning their work for the 2018 Major League Baseball season.
For Tigers fans, the feeling is extremely different than it has been over the decade or so as the team is in full rebuild phase. Justin Verlander, J.D. Martinez, Justin Upton, and Ian Kinsler are among the players who are no longer wearing the Old English D, which means the 2018 Opening Day starting lineup will look much different than it did just one year ago.
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Here is what the 2017 Opening Day lineup looked like, in case you forgot.
- Ian Kinsler (2B)
- Nicholas Castellanos (3B)
- Miguel Cabrera (1B)
- Victor Martinez (DH)
- Justin Upton (LF)
- Mikie Mahtook (RF)
- James McCann (C)
- JaCoby Jones (CF)
- Jose Iglesias (SS)
P – Justin Verlander (RHP)
Manager- Brad Ausmus
That was last year. Now let’s take a look at what I project the 2018 Opening Day lineup to look like. As you can see, there is quite the turnover.
- Mikie Mahtook (LF)
- Jeimer Candelario (3B)
- Miguel Cabrera (1B)
- Nicholas Castellanos (RF)
- Victor Martinez (DH)
- Leonys Martin (CF)
- James McCann (C)
- Dixon Machado (2B)
- Jose Iglesias (SS)
P- Michael Fulmer (RHP)
Manager – Ron Gardenhire
http://gty.im/867306904
Now, I am still holding out a sliver of hope that Al Avila will get rid of Victor Martinez, one way or the other but as of now, the Tigers general manager seems content with giving the veteran one more chance. Marinez, who is now 39-years-old, batted only .255 with 10 home runs and 47 RBIs for the Tigers in 2017. He was eventually shut down with a heart issue but according to reports, he is ready for Spring Training.
The rebuild is certainly going to take some time but it should be fun watching some of the younger guys find their groove in the Big Leagues!
