Lakeland, Fla. – The mission within the mission for the Tigers this offseason was to build a lineup that would, at the very least, have a fighting chance against all the right-handed pitching that has dominated them the last two seasons.
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The Tigers ranked last in the American League in both OPS and wRC-plus (weighted runs created) in 2019 and were second to last and last in those categories again last season. Being that impotent against right-handed pitching is a fatal flaw for any team, but certainly for the Tigers who in the Central Division alone face a barrage of oppressive right-handers. To wit:
• Cleveland – Shane Bieber, Zach Plesac, Aaron Civale, Triston McKenzie.
• Chicago – Lucas Giolito, Dylan Cease, Lance Lynn, Michael Kopech.
• Minnesota – Jose Berrios, Randy Dobnak, Kenta Maeda, Michael Pineda.
• Kansas City – Brad Keller, Brady Singer, Jakob Junis.
Cause and effect: The Tigers are an untenable 34-81 within the division the last two seasons.
After a flurry of signings in the last 14 days, have the Tigers accomplished their mission? Well, their lineup won’t be confused with the Braves or Dodgers, who’ve pummeled right-handed pitching in recent years – but it should be vastly improved.
The first upgrade came in early January when they signed switch-hitter Robbie Grossman, who posted a .370 weighted on-base average and 140 wRC-plus against righties last season. And since Jan. 29, the Tigers have added:
►Right-handed hitting catcher Wilson Ramos, who has a career .729 OPS and has hit 94 of his 128 home runs against right-handed pitching.
►Right-handed hitting second baseman Jonathan Schoop, who was one of the few productive hitters in the Tigers’ lineup last season, posting an .815 OPS and 121 wRC-plus against righties.
►Right-handed hitting first baseman Renato Nunez, who last season hit 11 of his 12 homers and slugged .526 against righties.
►Left-handed hitting corner outfielder Nomar Mazara, who has a career .781 OPS, a .267 batting average and has hit 65 of his 80 home runs against right-handed pitching.
Those five hitters cost the Tigers under $14 million in salary for 2021. Nunez signed a minor-league deal and would be under team control through 2024. It was an efficient upgrade given the club’s self-mandated payroll constraints.
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Does it make them contenders in the much-improved Central Division? No. Is this a finished product? No. The finished offensive product won’t be complete until prospects Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson arrive. But it’s a start.
If we may be so bold still a week away from full-squad workouts, here’s what the Tigers’ regular lineup might look like on April 1 when they take the field on Opening Day against reigning Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber and the Indians at Comerica Park. The batting order is a slightly educated guess.
1.Robbie Grossman, S, left field.
2.Jonathan Schoop, R, second base
3. Miguel Cabrera, R, designated hitter
4. Jeimer Candelario, S, third base
5. Renato Nunez, R, first base
6. Nomar Mazara, L, right field.
7. Wilson Ramos, R, catcher
8. Willi Castro, S, shortstop
9. JaCoby Jones, R, center field.
Switch-hitters Niko Goodrum (first base?) and Victor Reyes (right field) will likely be in the lineup more often against left-handed pitching. Both have been more productive throughout their careers hitting from the right side of the plate. Also, left-handed hitting utility player Harold Castro could conceivably work his way into the lineup against right-handers, as well. He’s a career .314 hitter against righties.
A lot could still happen, roster-wise, lineup-wise, between now and that first pitch against the Indians. But looking at it today, it doesn’t look like the Tigers will be bullied by right-handed pitchers nearly as much as they’ve been the last couple of years.
If so, that would be progress.
Twitter@cmccosky