Detroit Tigers: Five Questions Still to be Answered

With Detroit Tigers pitchers and catchers due to report in two days, here are five questions that still need to be answered as we head into spring training.

The Detroit Tigers were major movers this offseason in an attempt to extend their window of contention a few more seasons into the future.

The Tigers finished the 2015 season at the bottom of the American League Central with a 74-87 record. It was the franchise’s second sub-.500 season since they burst back onto the scene in 2006 with a magical World Series run.

With significant salary commitments to aging players like Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera, and Victor Martinez on the books well into the future, there were legitimate questions about how much the club could afford to spend this offseason in order to fulfill owner Mike Ilitch’s championship aspirations.

More from Detroit Tigers

• Tigers Sign Manager A.J. Hinch to Long-Term Extension
• Former Tigers Celebrate Jim Leyland Hall of Fame Call
• 4 Free Agents Tigers Should Sign During Winter Meetings
• Javier Baez Listed Among Worst Contracts in MLB by The Athletic
• Tigers’ Interest in Kenta Maeda Could be a Disaster for 2024 and Beyond

Ilitch backed up his claim that “money was no object” (to a large degree) by providing his stamp of approval on splashy signings like starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann and outfielder Justin Upton.

In all, new general manager Al Avila added nearly $20 million to the payroll ledger to balloon beyond last year’s franchise-record opening day payroll of $172 million to more than $191 million heading into 2016.

But even with all that money spent, the Tigers do not look like a slam dunk to finish atop the division and return to the postseason for the fifth time in six seasons.

Here are five questions that still need to be answered in order for the club to have a successful 2016 season.

Next: Is the Bullpen Really Fixed?