MLB 2017: One prediction for each team

Detroit Tigers: back to the playoffs

Last year, the Tigers finished four games behind the Indians in the AL Central and 2.5 games out of the Wild Card. Close, but no cigar for a talented, expensive and aging roster. This disappointing campaign came on the heels of a last-place finish in 2015 that saw the Tigers begin to retool their roster. Owner Mike Ilitch couldn’t contain himself, spending more money on Jordan Zimmermann and Justin Upton last winter.

The Tigers enter the 2017 season with over $179 million committed to just 12 players. Unless something drastic happens, they will top the luxury tax once again. There have been rumors about addressing the payroll through trades, but with cumbersome contracts for players like Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera, it’s hard to see the Tigers getting anything major done. To top it off, Ilitch doesn’t seem all that interested in saving money considering he sunk almost $250 million into Upton and Zimmermann last offseason.

Detroit’s roster has its flaws, namely the starting rotation and bullpen, but the lineup is made to contend. The core of Cabrera, J.D. Martinez, Victor Martinez and Ian Kinsler can carry a team. Upton is streaky, but he’s still good for at least one three-week stretch a year when he’s impossible to get out. Where the Tigers must get better results is from their third through fifth starters. Getting a full season out of Daniel Norris, who made 13 very good starts last year, and a healthy Zimmermann should be enough to push the Tigers back over 90 wins.

In the AL Central, Detroit doesn’t have to be the best team in the league to make the playoffs. They’ll benefit from 19 games each against the Minnesota Twins, White Sox and Kansas City Royals, who are all in various stages of rebuild.