***UPDATE*** The game has been rescheduled for Tuesday at 2:10
Well, actual opening day is likely to be some other day, seeing as the forecast for game time currently shows and 81% chance of rain. But we can still enjoy the idea of Opening Day today, right?
2017 Detroit Tigers Roster
C James McCann
C Alex Avila
1B Miguel Cabrera
2B Ian Kinsler
3B Nick Castellanos
SS Jose Iglesias
IF Dixon Machado
IF Andrew Romine
LF Justin Upton
CF JaCoby Jones
RF Mikie Mahtook
OF Tyler Collins
DH Victor Martinez
SP Justin Verlander
SP Jordan Zimmermann
SP Michael Fulmer
SP Daniel Norris
SP Matt Boyd
RP Anibal Sanchez
RP Francisco Rodriguez
RP Shane Greene
RP Bruce Rondon
RP Kyle Ryan
RP Justin Wilson
RP Alex Wilson
On the 40-Man Roster:
RF JD Martinez (10-day DL)
C John Hicks
P Sandy Baez
P Chad Bell
P Drew Verhagen
P Daniel Stumpf
P Warwick Saupold
P Jairo Labourt
P Buck Farmer
P Blaine Hardy
P Myles Jaye
P Victor Alcantara
Whether this is or isn’t a well-constructed roster, it certainly is a well-paid one. The Tigers have surpassed the Yankees and are now the highest paid team in the American League, surpassed only by the Dodgers in MLB. The new collective bargaining agreement adds a little salt on top, as the Tigers are over the 195 million salary threshold by almost $4 million as it stands, and will have to pay a 30% luxury tax on every dollar they spend over $195 million.
Here is a roster summary that also highlights some non-roster prospects worth paying attention to. I personally think it will be interesting to see how Anthony Gose does trying his hand at pitching, of all things. Apparently he threw 97 in high school (who knew?) and has already had one impressive bullpen session. And he shouldn’t be afraid to throw high and tight: with his speed he can get off the mound and out of reach in a hurry.
Opening Day Undefeated Lineup:
- Ian Kinsler, 2B
- Nick Castellanos, 3B
- Miguel Cabrera, 1B
- Victor Martinez, DH
- Justin Upton, LF
- Mikie Mahtook, RF
- James McCann, C
- JaCoby Jones, CF
- Jose Iglesias, SS
Justin Verlander, P
If this game gets off the ground, expect Mikie Mahtook to be quite a battler—he already took on my spellcheck hard a few times today.
I’ve Been trying with several browsers to log on for about three weeks… This is the first time it worked.. Been getting three flashing dots on a white screen I don’t know if it’s Verizon or what…
Anyway….. HAPPY.. BASEBALL!!!
I have too, it has worked by laptop but not by phone. Kevin is trying to look into it.
Jacoby .welcome to the bigs as a starter!!!
Yeah…a great start for JaCoby!
First Slingin Willies appearance of the season. Great outing JV!
Vintage.. Verlander
Good start. Greene couldn’t find the plate but K-Rod looked better than I expected based on his last few spring appearances. Hopefully J-Up’s knee is not enough to keep him out. I hope they let Jones play full time for a while. He is certainly our best outfielder and he should have a chance to figure out right handers.
If Kinsler gets on base 4 times every game I don’t care if he gets picked off once a game..
After the game, the MLB Tonight folks were even talking about Kinsler’s Hall of Fame eligibility. I haven’t heard that ever talked about for Ian. However he needs to get in line behind Tram and Whitaker.