22 untold stories, observations and wild predictions about the 2022 Detroit Tigers

LAKELAND, Fla. — Now, the story can be told.

A story that could only happen at spring training because Lakeland is such a small place.

One night last week, it was pouring rain. I finished a workout, drove to a LongHorn Steakhouse, sprinted to the front door, got under the awning and ducked inside, soaking wet. I glanced at the bar and it was totally empty. Two guys were sitting at a table. I looked again and realized on of them was Detroit Tigers assistant general manager David Chadd.

“How ya doin’?” I said.

As I passed him, I realized he was sitting with general manager Al Avila, who was on the phone.

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OK, yep, this had the potential to get weird.

Because the Tigers were in the middle of free agency, trying to complete their roster, still looking for pitchers; and I felt like a stalker, even though it was purely accidental. I took a seat at the bar, about 15 feet from them, the farthest seat possible. Didn’t want to be accused of spying on them.

As I ordered a steak — a bone-in ribeye, of course; it’s the only thing to get at a steak place — I could hear Avila working his phone hard. To be honest, I did hear bits and pieces. Not enough to write a story. But enough to know the Tigers were working to find some pitching help.

To me, the most revealing part was the realization of how deals come together: how there are endless discussions about trades that don’t happen and endless talks with agents about deals. But life never really stops. General managers are working the phones at all hours, even at a restaurant.

Now, flash forward several days: the Tigers got their pitchers.

They signed right-hander Michael Pineda to a one-year contract for $5.5 million, plus up to $2.5 million in incentives. And they signed left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin (two years, $13 million).

It was a heck of a week for the Tigers.

A heck of a week for Avila and his staff.

They completed their starting rotation, improved their bullpen, didn’t spend a ton and didn’t have to trade any prospects.

Or as manager AJ Hinch might say: “we have pathways to a win.”

But that’s just one moment from the last month.

Here are 21 more stories and thoughts about spring training:

2. Golden touch

Derek Hill was walking through the Tigers clubhouse and stopped by Tucker Barnhart’s locker. Hill bent down and started rubbing the back of Barnhart’s catcher’s mitt.

Being a journalist, highly trained to notice things, even when I’m hung over, I thought: OK, that’s weird. What the heck is he doing?

I walked over to Barnhart’s locker. The Rawlings insignia on the back strap of Barnhart’s glove was gold — the highest stamp of achievement for a defender — because Barnhart has won two Gold Gloves.

Hill was just hoping for a little Gold Glove magic to rub off on him.

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3. Michigan men

Maybe, it’s only because I grew up in Michigan. Maybe, it’s only because I grew up watching Lou, Tram and Gibby. But it was so cool to see Eric Haase and Kirk Gibson talking outside the Tigers dugout in Tampa. Two Michigan kids who grew up to be Tigers.

“It’s incredible,” Haase said. “When I first came over here and walked into the clubhouse, Al Kaline was sitting in the cafeteria. Lance Parish was walkin’ through. These are larger-than-life heroes. Then, it’s, ‘Oh, that’s Tram walking by.’”

It was also good to see Gibby, who was using a crutch to walk. It just breaks my heart to see him fighting Parky, as he calls it. Check out his foundation doing research to fight Parkinson’s Disease and to help patients. God bless that man.

4. Taste of big time

Alex Faedo had quite the moment on Saturday. It was his first time pitching in a game since Tommy John surgery. He’s a pitbull on the mound, a fierce competitor. But he’s got a wonderful, engaging personality.

After a shower, he was packing his stuff and marveling at something. “Look at this,” he said, holding a black hat box. “Wow, I’ve never had one of these.”

He put his Tigers cap in the box and zipped it shut, smiling hard. It was clear to him: He was getting his first taste of the big leagues. Kinda blown away at the little things. Lovin’ every second of it.

5. Won’t be anonymous much longer

On St. Patrick’s Day, I was sitting at a table of an outdoor restaurant in in Lakeland. A young man and woman walked by. They could have been models. Just a good looking couple on a quiet stroll.

Then, it dawned on me: It was Riley Greene and his girlfriend.

Just walking down the sidewalk. Without a care in the world, doing a little shopping.

A few years from now, I’m guessing, Greene won’t be able to do that without being bothered constantly by fans.

6. Competing for jobs

Photographers are given more access during spring training, and they are allowed to get closer to the players in some situations. So I’ve learned to listen to them.

Our extraordinary photographer, Kirthmon F. Dozier, had a telling remark about the Tigers’ outfielders, after watching them go through drills. “They were out there competing,” he said.

That’s telling. Several are fighting for jobs.

7. The Rolex story

My favorite story from this camp might be how Spencer Turnbull gave Haase a Rolex for catching his no-hitter. But it’s not about the gift. That’s tradition.

It’s the way he did it — in front of the team in the weight room.

“Spencer and I are going to share a piece of Tigers history,” Haase said. “It meant a lot. For him to do it, in front of the guys, I get goosebumps just re-watching the game.”

8. Hey, Javy!

Javier Baez carried a huge fan following with him to the Tigers.

Whenever he goes, it seems people are yelling for him, wanting pictures, wanting autographs. And it seemed so new and fresh.

Granted, the Tigers don’t have many huge stars anymore. Just Miguel Cabrera.

But it was a reminder of what it was like when the Tigers had players such as Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and the list goes on and on. That seems like a lifetime ago.

9. A happy Miggy

Can’t get over how excited Cabrera seems about this season.

Yes, he’s chasing 3,000 hits, which is obviously historic.

But he seems so happy. Maybe, because he has something to play for.

But maybe, because he can see the talent starting to build around him.

His spirit — especially when it’s the “Happy Miggy” — seems to shoot through the clubhouse.

10. Leyland lovin’ it

Now, for the seal of approval from former manager Jim Leyland, who has been around the team several times.

“Oh, I really like this,” Leyland said. “I think they are going to be really good. I like our team a lot. The key is probably, if our young pitchers take a step forward, we have a chance to be really good.”

Knowing those pitchers — the drive of Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal and Matt Manning — I’m saying the same thing. This team has a chance to be fun, entertaining and competitive all summer.

Skubal has filled out. He looks like a grown man. Broad. Strong. Powerful. Gonna be a fun year.

11. My first attempt at a batting order

My guess: 1. Akil Baddoo, LF; 2. Robbie Grossman, RF; 3. Miguel Cabrera, DH; 4. Javier Baez, SS; 5. Jeimer Candelario, 3B; 6. Jonathan Schoop, 2B; 7. Tucker Barnhart, C; 8. Spencer Torkelson, 1B; 9. Riley Greene, CF.

And now, to the lightning round:

12. Greene will move up in the order quickly. Hinch is not afraid to bat rookies high in the order.

13. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Cabrera move out of the No. 3 spot permanently at some point this season. The Tigers have more talent now — the batting order has the potential to be lengthened. And if the young players produce, and if some of the returning players improve, Miggy will be bumped down. Because the talent will force it. If that happens, if these players grow, they will have something.

14. Can’t wait to spend more time around Chafin. The dude is a character.

15. Grossman is going to have a fantastic season. He is so important to this team — not just his play, but the example he sets.

16. I wouldn’t be surprised if Torkelson struggles early and then heats up as he settles in. That’s his track record. As he moved through the Tigers system, he has had slow starts just about every time he climbed to the next level. And then you look down and he’s got 30 homers. So it would be wise not to make any snap judgements and give him time.

17. Schoop and Candelario are going to have strong seasons.

18. Baddoo has to improve his outfield defense.

19. At some point, Greene is going to go into a slump, and I wonder how he’ll handle it. Because everything has come so easy to him.

20. Wild prediction: I wouldn’t be surprised if Kody Clemens makes his MLB debut this year. The kid is a player.

21. Cabrera’s chase of 3,000 hits will invigorate the team — and the fan base early.

22. This team is going to be good — really fun and entertaining, in the running for a playoff spot, all summer long.

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Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @seideljeff.