Draft prep: Detroit Tigers outlook

The Tigers rode the adrenaline of their first World Series appearance since 1984 to a quick start out of the gate in 2007. Then, they collapsed down the stretch, falling out of the race before September and finishing eight games behind the first-place Indians.

But instead of sitting on their hands and hoping their luck turns around, the Tigers responded to their near miss with a furious re-tooling job. They made the biggest splash of the offseason, trading most of their farm system for the Marlins' two highest profile (and highest paid) players, third baseman Miguel Cabrera and starting pitcher Dontrelle Willis. They also traded for new left fielder Jacque Jones and new shortstop Edgar Renteria, who allows the oft-injured Carlos Guillen to move to first base.

Unfortunately, their collapse had to do more with pitching than hitting. Jeremy Bonderman faded, in part because of pinched cartilage in his right elbow, and the Tigers and Fantasy owners alike have to take a blind leap of faith he'll return to form. The acquisition of Willis helps, but he had struggles in his own right a year ago, and Kenny Rogers and Nate Robertson have a propensity for hitting bats. And the bullpen? Forget it. Todd Jones closes more on reputation than ability, and the team's most talented reliever, Joel Zumaya, tore up his shoulder moving furniture. At least Justin Verlander has established himself as a sure-fire Fantasy ace.

Heading into spring training, the Tigers have perhaps the most finalized team in all of baseball and one of the easiest to read for Fantasy purposes. Their offseason acquisitions makes their lineup potentially devastating -- it finished third in the league in runs scored last year, after all -- and you have to think their pitchers will improve their win totals as a result.

Spring position battles

Cleanup hitter -- Magglio Ordonez vs. Miguel Cabrera and Gary Sheffield

This decision probably doesn't mean much for Fantasy. The trio will bat three, four and five in some order, meaning each player will have ample RBI opportunities. If nothing else, the No. 3 hitter will collect the most at-bats. And we might normally say the No. 5 hitter will have the least protection, but Guillen, batting sixth, is certainly no slouch. For what it's worth, early indications have the Tigers going Cabrera, Ordonez and Sheffield.

Leadoff hitter -- Curtis Granderson vs. Edgar Renteria

Manager Jim Leyland has already suggested he'll keep Granderson in the leadoff spot, meaning the 27-year-old has the potential to score upwards of 130 runs in that lineup. Then again, Leyland likes to tinker, so you have to expect Renteria and even Ivan Rodriguez will but up top on occasion -- particularly against left-handed pitchers. A slide down further in the order would increase Granderson's RBI opportunities, but again, in such a deep lineup, he might get his fair share batting leadoff too.

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