Story by
Detroit Tigers spring training: 10 questions to watch in 2025 camp, including third base
- Story by
- Detroit Tigers spring training: 10 questions to watch in 2025 camp, including third base
LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers are ready for spring training.
Pitchers and catchers report Wednesday, but many of them (including batterymates Tarik Skubal and Jake Rogers ) have already arrived at the Tigers ' spring training facility in Lakeland, Florida. Position players report Feb. 17 for the first full-squad workout.
Advertisement
After everyone arrives, the Tigers will play their first Grapefruit League game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Feb. 22 at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland.
SEASON PREDICTIONS: Ten predictions for Tigers in 2025: Cy Young repeat, MVP contender, rookie troubles
Here are 10 storylines to follow for the Tigers in spring training:
Who plays third base?
Free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman is the biggest storyline of spring training. The Tigers are one of several teams interested in signing Bregman, but Bregman continues to wait for a team to offer his preferred long-term contract — possibly six years, $180 million.
Advertisement
If the Tigers sign Bregman, he becomes the everyday third baseman. If the Tigers don't sign Bregman, two players on the current roster — Matt Vierling and Jace Jung — will be in the mix for the majority of playing time at third base.
From left, Detroit Tigers third baseman Matt Vierling (8), third base Jace Jung (17) and shortstop Trey Sweeney (27) exits the dugout after 7-3 loss to Cleveland Guardians at Game 5 of ALDS at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024.
Here are non-Bregman scenarios: Vierling fits best in right field but is a better defender than Jung at third base. However, if the Tigers want both Jung and Vierling in the lineup against right-handed pitchers, then Jung has to play third base and Vierling has to play right field, keeping slugger Kerry Carpenter as the designated hitter to protect his health. If Jung gets sent down, then Vierling projects as the everyday third baseman on the Opening Day roster, leaving right field open for Wenceel Pérez .
MORE: Why free-agent Alex Bregman can help Tigers on the field, behind the scenes
Advertisement
If Bregman signs elsewhere, fellow free agent Whit Merrifield — a veteran right-handed hitting infielder — would provide the Tigers an additional option at third base, if needed. The Tigers showed interest in Merrifield last offseason before signing Gio Urshela , but it's unclear if he fits for the Tigers this offseason.
[ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Detroit Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts ( Apple , Spotify ) ]
Can Colt Keith thrive at first base?
Colt Keith is going to be the everyday first baseman for the Tigers in the 2025 season, accommodating for newcomer Gleyber Torres signing as a second baseman. Two problems: Keith has never played first base in his professional career, and he can't fall back on playing third base because of a previous shoulder injury. The 23-year-old is going to sink or swim at first base.
Advertisement
MORE: Tigers' Colt Keith unleashes first big swing in 'one of the coolest moments yet'
Keith showed impressive development at second base last season, a reason to be optimistic about his opportunity at first. He was worth minus-8 defensive runs saved at second base, but his work ethic led to the improvement of his double play turns and footwork around the base.
At first, Keith needs to prove he can field routine grounders, cover the bag with clean footwork, make plays to his right, scoop the ball on low throws and stretch for off-target throws. There's a lot to evaluate with less than 50 days until Opening Day.
Detroit Tigers right-hander Jackson Jobe pitches for Triple-A Toledo on September 14, 2024, at Werner Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
Does Jackson Jobe make Opening Day roster?
Jackson Jobe — the best pitching prospect in baseball — made his MLB debut as a reliever in 2024, but his rookie season will be as a starter in 2025. The Tigers haven't determined if Jobe will make the Opening Day roster, but he is expected to join the Tarik Skubal -led rotation as long as he meets expectations in spring training. Commanding his swing-and-miss pitches is the No. 1 priority.
Advertisement
MORE: Jackson Jobe is AL Rookie of the Year favorite; Tigers not worried about low whiff rate
There's an organizational benefit to putting Jobe on the Opening Day roster: He is eligible for the Prospect Promotion Incentive and has the upside to win American League Rookie of the Year. If he earns a full year of service time (by making the Opening Day roster or being called up within the first two weeks of Opening Day) and wins Rookie of the Year (or places top three in Cy Young voting), then the Tigers receive a draft pick after the first round in 2026. If Jobe doesn't factor into the awards despite accruing a full year of service time, he retains PPI eligibility for the next two years. In that case, the Tigers would net a draft pick in 2027 or 2028 if Jobe has a top-three Cy Young finish in 2026 or 2027.
Here's another potential outcome: If the Tigers delay Jobe's service time by keeping him in Triple-A Toledo for more than two weeks and he still wins Rookie of the Year, then Jobe gets a full year of service time but the Tigers don't get a draft pick. That's what happened to Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates last season.
Which starters become relievers?
Aside from Jobe, the Tigers have six other starting pitchers competing for the final spot in the rotation: Casey Mize , Keider Montero , Matt Manning , Kenta Maeda , Brant Hurter and Ty Madden , with Sawyer Gipson-Long still recovering from Tommy John surgery. Among that list, the veteran Maeda is the only pitcher without any minor league options remaining, which means everyone else can be sent to Triple-A Toledo while staying on the 40-man roster.
Advertisement
The starters who don't make the Tigers' rotation will be Triple-A starters in Toledo or MLB relievers in Detroit.
MORE: Tigers left-hander Brant Hurter almost threw no-hitter with unique 'rock' delivery
It's unclear which starters the Tigers will consider transitioning to relievers in spring training, but Mize, Manning, Maeda and Hurter seem like the best fits for the bullpen in Detroit, whereas Jobe, Montero and Madden seem like better fits for the rotation in the Toledo.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Kenta Maeda walks off the field after live batting practice during spring training at TigerTown in Lakeland, Fla. on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024.
Will Tigers cut Kenta Maeda ?
The Tigers have one opening in the rotation and three openings in the bullpen.
Advertisement
Maeda, who posted a 6.09 ERA in 112⅓ innings, changed his offseason program in hopes of a bounce-back season in 2025, including throwing more bullpens before reporting to spring training. But the Tigers will be faced with a financial decision if his struggles continue because Maeda is under contract for $10 million, concluding a two-year, $24 million contract.
MORE: Tigers' Kenta Maeda will get 'every opportunity' to win job in starting rotation
In 2024, Maeda registered a 7.42 ERA with a 17.6% strikeout rate in 17 games a starter and a 3.86 ERA with a 23.8% strikeout rate in 12 games as a reliever. If Maeda doesn't deserve one of the three bullpen openings, then the Tigers will have to think about removing him from their MLB roster — and wasting $10 million that could've been allocated to a better investment.
Can Javier Báez reclaim old role?
Javier Báez , a two-time All-Star shortstop, underwent season-ending right hip surgery in early September, so he has been recovering for the past five months. He is expected to be a full participant at some point in spring training — possibly as soon as the first full-squad workout — but it's unclear if he will be ready for Opening Day.
Advertisement
The 32-year-old has three years and $73 remaining on his six-year, $140 million contract, so the Tigers will give Báez every opportunity to earn playing time at shortstop.
MORE: Javier Báez's rehab going well, but how he responds remains a mystery for Tigers
The Tigers hope Báez's hip surgery will fix the pain in his lower back that caused an inability to fully rotate when he swings, which has been an issue for at least the past two seasons. If that happens, Báez should be able to improve upon his career-worst performance in 2024, when he hit just .184 with six home runs and a .516 OPS in 80 games. He faces an uphill climb in pursuit of becoming the Tigers' everyday shortstop again, but it's not impossible.
Detroit Tigers first base Spencer Torkelson celebrates after he hits a two run home run in the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024.
Has Spencer Torkelson made adjustments?
The Tigers all but officially optioned 2020 No. 1 overall pick Spencer Torkelson — the first baseman for the past three seasons — to Toledo after signing Torres and moving Keith, especially since the Tigers won't add a corner outfield position to Torkelson's defensive résumé. The only way he carves out a role on the Opening Day roster is as a backup first baseman and power-hitting designated hitter, but that's not what the Tigers need if everyone else stays healthy.
Advertisement
MORE: Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson needs to earn spot on Opening Day roster
His journey back to the MLB level — where he hit 31 home runs across 159 games in 2023 — begins with a productive spring training, even if he is lined up to be a Mud Hen for most of the upcoming season. Torkelson needs to show he has made significant adjustments to his swing, which means a refined swing path, increased adjustability and being on time for fastballs.
If all goes perfectly, Torkelson could return to the Tigers' plans for the 2026 season.
Does a non-roster invitee emerge?
For now, the Tigers have 12 non-roster invitees coming to spring training after signing minor league contracts: catcher Tomás Nido , catcher Brian Serven , first baseman Bligh Madris , infielder Eddys Leonard , outfielder Jahmai Jones , and pitchers Jordan Balazovic , Dietrich Enns , Wilmer Flores , Ricky Vanasco , Ryan Miller , Brendan White and Matt Gage .
Advertisement
MORE: Former Central Michigan left-hander Dietrich Enns joins Tigers after three-year trek through Asia
Of that group, Nido, Balazovic and Enns seem like top candidates to steal spots on the Opening Day roster, with Nido as the backup catcher if Dillon Dingler struggles and Balazovic and Enns as relievers if others fail to claim the three openings.
Nido, 30, is a defense-first catcher with 323 games in his eight-year MLB career, including 49 games for the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs in 2024; Balazovic, 26, is a hard-throwing former top-100 prospect with a 4.26 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 57 innings as a starter in Korea in 2024; Enns, 33, is a left-hander who posted a 4.19 ERA and 157 strikeouts in 167⅔ innings as a starter in Korea in 2024.
Detroit Tigers outfielder prospect Max Clark works out during spring training at TigerTown in Lakeland, Fla. on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024.
Which prospects look comfortable?
Several top prospects in the Tigers' farm system have earned the opportunity to participate in MLB spring training, led by outfielder Max Clark , infielder Kevin McGonigle and catcher Thayron Liranzo . Clark is the No. 2 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline , followed by McGonigle at No. 3 and Liranzo at No. 6.
Advertisement
Those three players aren't projected to make their MLB debuts in 2025, but how they go about their business this spring could impact the timeline for their MLB debuts in 2026.
MORE: Defense is top priority as Tigers develop Thayron Liranzo into catcher of future
Here are two examples: Keith looked comfortable in his first big-league camp (on the field and off the field) in 2023, which led to him making his MLB debut on the Opening Day roster in 2024; Jobe looked comfortable in camp as a top prospect in 2024, which led to him making his MLB debut at the end of a postseason run in 2024.
The Tigers haven't announced their non-roster invitees, but other prospects who could participate in their first MLB spring training include right-hander Jaden Hamm , infielder Hao-Yu Lee , right-hander Troy Melton , infielder Max Anderson and outfielder Roberto Campos .
Advertisement
Who makes Opening Day roster?
Here is the Free Press' prediction for the 26-man 2025 Opening Day roster, version 2.5:
ROSTER PREDICTION 2.0: Should Jace Jung get runway at third base as Opening Day starter?
Lineup: Parker Meadows (CF), Gleyber Torres (2B), Riley Greene (LF), Kerry Carpenter (DH), Colt Keith (1B), Matt Vierling (RF), Jace Jung (3B), Javier Báez (SS), Jake Rogers (C).
Bench: Dillon Dingler (C), Andy Ibáñez (INF), Zach McKinstry (UTIL), Wenceel Pérez (OF).
Rotation: Tarik Skubal (LHP), Jack Flaherty (RHP), Reese Olson (RHP), Alex Cobb (RHP), Jackson Jobe (RHP).
Bullpen: Tommy Kahnle (RHP), Jason Foley (RHP), Tyler Holton (LHP), Will Vest (RHP), Beau Brieske (RHP), Sean Guenther (LHP), Brant Hurter (LHP), Kenta Maeda (RHP).
Advertisement
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold .
Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on demand at freep.com, Apple Podcasts , Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts .
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers spring training: 10 questions to watch in 2025 camp
