DETROIT TIGERS

2005 finish: 71-91, 4^th place in AL Central

Manager: Jim Leyland (1^st season)

Incoming: LHP Kenny Rogers, RHP Todd Jones, RHP Matt Mantei

Long gone: RHP Jason Johnson, OF Rondell White, OF Bobby Higginson, 2B Fernando Vina, RHP Troy Percival, IF Jason Smith

Rotation: LHP Kenny Rogers, RHP Jeremy Bonderman, LHP Mike Maroth, LHP Nate Roberson, RHP Justin Verlander or RHP Roman Colon

Relievers: Closer: RHP Todd Jones; Setup men: RHP Francisco Rodney, RHP Franklyn German, LHP Jamie Walker, RHP Chris Spurling, RHP Joel Zumaya, RHP Jason Grilli, RHP Matt Mantei, RHP Craig Dingman (DL)

Regulars: CF Curtis Granderson, 2B Placido Polanco, C Ivan Rodriguez, RF Magglio Ordonez, DH Dmitri Young, 1B Chris Shelton, SS Carlos Guillen, LF Craig Monroe, 3B Brandon Inge

Role players: C Vance Wilson, 1B Carlos Pena, IF Omar Infante, IF Ramon Santiago, OF Nook Logan, OF Marcus Thames

The pressure is on: Ivan ‘Pudge’ Rodriguez will try to rebound from a bad year on and off the field.

Breakout candidate: Jeremy Bonderman has gone from 6-19-5.39 in 2003 to 14-13-4.57 in 2005. That upward trend should continue, and he could win 16-18.

Rundown: If you’re looking for an under-the-radar surprise possibility in the American League, no team has a better set of circumstances working in their favor than the Tigers. Consider: 1) There is an entirely new coaching staff in place, so one way or the other, things are going to be different. Jim Leyland has run the gamut from World Series champion in Florida to burnout victim in Colorado, and you have to figure he is recharged after six years away from the field. And after Alan Trammell’s sometimes-questionable in-game decisions, and a less-than-desirable clubhouse chemistry last season, the change is likely to be for the better. 2) Replacing Jason Johnson with Kenny Rogers is an upgrade, and in Jeremy Bonderman, Mike Maroth and Nate Robertson, the Tigers have three young and improving starters who should win in double figures and log more than 200 innings. 3) Ivan Rodriguez, Carlos Guillen and Magglio Ordonez could be poised for comeback seasons. Rodriguez had his worst season in part due to personal problems, and the latter two had to battle through injuries that cut their seasons in half. 4) Todd Jones should solidify a closer spot in which nobody logged more than nine saves last season, and totaled only 37 – 12^th in the American League. That’s reason enough to think the Tiges can break the streak of 12 consecutive losing seasons. But the problem is the AL Central has toughened up, too. But this definitely is a team to watch, especially in spring training, when Leyland will get his first extended look at his roster, and decide what needs to be done, and who will fit into what roles. An intriguing situation involves first base candidates Craig Shelton, Dmitri Young and Carlos Pena. Shelton emerged from Rule 5 status to run-production source. Young has lost weight and is in excellent shape for the final year of his contract, and could end up playing some third base or left field. And Pena, who could be the left-handed power source this team must have at Comerica Park, or could be traded. Leyland’s handling of bullpens generally has drawn praise. Look for a second left-hander to join Jamie Walker, and how the responsibilities are divided among Fernando Rodney, Chris Spurling, Franklyn German and others remains to be seen. But Craig Dingman likely is out for year after having surgery to repair a torn artery in his right shoulder, and Troy Percival retired due to continuing arm trouble. Ordonez will play as much right field as his knees allow, but playing time in left and center is to be determined. Craig Monroe and Nook Logan got the majority of time in those spots last year, but Young and Curtis Granderson could play quite a bit. The fifth starter spot will go to one of three young arms – Justin Verlander, Roman Colon and Joel Zumaya, with the other two landing in the bullpen.

Predicted finish: 4^th place, 79-83

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