The Tigers are getting ready to open the second full season of a rebuild, but how much longer will the team be in this rebuild?
The Tigers have been in a retooling then a rebuilding phase that started at the trade deadline in 2015 and moved forward to the team we have today. With the team having set the opening day roster with the likes of Spencer Turnbull, Grayson Greiner, and Christan Stewart, the first stages of young up and coming players, are starting to see the major leagues.
Super Two Promotions
Even though the prospects this season aren’t any of the big flashy names some may come up after the super-two deadline, this gives the team an extra year of control, around April 21.
So who could come up around the end of April? The biggest one at this point could very well be Daz Cameron. Cameron is listed as the number 8 prospect for the team and showed signs of being able to hit in spring training going 10 for 28 with seven RBI’s and two home runs. He could get the call should JaCoby Jones not hit or be hurt Cameron could get the call.
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Another player that could see time from this is Kyle Funkhouser. Funkhouser is an up and coming arm that could be a nice bullpen arm for the team this season. Pairing him up with Joe Jiménez could create a back end of the bullpen Tiger fans have hoped for going back to 2012.
Trade Promotions
Considering they are rebuilding, the team could also make trades that open up some spots throughout the season. Josh Harrison, Jordy Mercer, and even Nick Castellanos will be on the market through the season. Moving one of those players could open up a spot for a younger player such as Dawel Lugo, Willi Castro, Sergio Alcántara, and although he’s on the opening day roster, due to an injury to JaCoby Jones, Dustin Peterson could all see extended time in the bigs this season.
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When to start competing again?
The earliest the team could start to be relevant again is 2021. Most of the young guys should be up by that time. Casey Mize and Matt Manning will act as anchors in the rotation. Daz Cameron will patrol center and round out a nice core.
Adding in players like Franklin Perez to be a solid arm in the rotation, and Isaac Paredes or Willi Castro at short will help. The future Tigers will knock at the door, and the Indians and Twins are going to have to retool to keep up. The Tigers will once again be a contender in the American League Central by 2021.
