Looking Forward to 2008: Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers will report to spring training with a new look and a very different attitude towards the 2008 season.

Just when it looked like the team would stand pat with the players they had, they shocked the baseball world. During the Winter Meetings, the Detroit Tigers made a blockbuster trade with the Florida Marlins for left-hander Dontrelle Willis and 3rd baseman Miguel Cabrera. Not only that, but they also brought in SS Edgar Renteria and OF Jacque Jones.

Arrivals:

3B Miguel Cabrera

RHP Francisco Cruceta

OF Jacque Jones

LHP Dontrelle Willis

Departures:

1B Sean Casey

RHP Chad Durbin

OF Cameron Maybin

RHP Jair Jurrjens

LHP Andrew Miller

Though Willis is coming off a season that wasn't among his best, being in Detroit with a team that is going to put up runs for him, it should give him a lot more confidence to take the ball every 5th day and trust his stuff. Cabrera brings power to an already potent lineup with guys like Ivan Rodriguez, Edgar Renteria, Gary Sheffield, and Magglio Ordonez.

A team that has a front 3 that consists of Justin Verlander, Kenny Rogers and Jeremy Bonderman and you still have to face Willis and Nate Robertson is a rotation that is going to be among the best in the American League and will give a good challenge to defending AL Central Champion Cleveland Indians.

Prediction Time:

The one thing that could keep the Tigers from winning the AL Central is the health of guys like Sheffield and the effectiveness of Dontrelle Willis and Kenny Rogers. The Indians are a good ball club, but with Detroit adding the players they have, it's going to be a fun race to watch.

Tigers - 86-76