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Detroit Tigers: Predicting the Opening Day Roster for 2017

By Matt Snyder

Apr 8, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus (7) is introduced prior to the game against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus (7) is introduced prior to the game against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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As the Detroit Tigers head into offseason mode, I take a stab at predicting the Opening Day 25-man roster for the 2017 season.

Apr 8, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus (7) is introduced prior to the game against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus (7) is introduced prior to the game against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Detroit Tigers missed the postseason by a narrow margin with 86 wins in 2016. The end to the year was a disappointment, but the Tigers actually ended up exceeding their preseason projections by a few wins.

They’ll get a chance to hit the reset button in 2017 and try all over again. This time, hopefully, avoiding long stretches of missed time due to injuries and months-long slumps for key hitters.

Assuming the Tigers don’t elect to blow up the roster and trade for prospects and future value — an unlikely event with the aging Mike Ilitch in control — the 2017 roster will look almost exactly as it did in 2016.

Most of the players in key spots remain under team control, so the Tigers will (probably) enter the offseason looking to fill minor holes and perhaps make a minor tweak or two when it comes to role players.

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