TARGETING TIGERS Part 1

The Tigers have been very active in this year's offseason, and as with all baseball moves, it affects fantasy baseball strategy. One thing that is very evident about the 2008 Tigers is: everyone in their lineup and rotation could contribute to fantasy teams. Detroit's infield offers up lots of fine fantasy options for any GM.

The biggest force in the order will be the addition of Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera has been putting up big numbers for years now and joining a lineup such as the Tigers should only improve him further. His homers may take a small dip with him now playing in Comerica, but that is far from guaranteed to happen. His runs and rbis will increase with the improved hitters batting before and after him.

Edgar Renteria is pretty consistent. He will provide a solid average, double digit homers and steals, with a fair amount of runs and rbis. He will most likely bats 7th which isn't great but most hitters batting 7th won't have Ivan Rodriguez and Jacque Jones following them in the order. Renteria will still put up decent stats and is a solid tier 2 SS.

Placido Polanco is a decent fantasy option at 2b after all the top options are off the board. He really only provides production in average and runs but having a player like that will allow alot of flexibility for the rest of your team. His high average will offset a player on your team who won't hit for average but may provide homers and rbis (ex. Adam Dunn). Polanco is a solid backup who won't hurt your team if you have to start him if your starting 2b gets hurt.

Carlos Guillen is moving over from SS to 1b this year. Luckily he will still qualify at SS for fantasy purpose for at least this year. Guillen is always an injury risk but he is very consistent and productive when on the field. The move to 1b may help in keeping him healthy all year. Expect a solid year of .300, 20 hrs, 90+runs, 100+rbis, and double digit steals.

Ivan Rodriguez is no longer a top fantasy catcher but he still provides decent production. He will hit .280, 10 homers, 50 runs, 60+rbis, and a handful of steals. Ivan only batted .281 for the year but he did have a .302 avg vs. LHP.

Gary Sheffield will be a DH for 2008, and while he is getting older he can still provide decent stats. He only batted .265 last year, which is his lowest in the last 4 years, but he did hit 25 hrs to go along with 22 steals. A year further removed from injuries may leave room for a bounceback year but temper expectations because age is against him.

The Tigers outfield offer some great fantasy options.

Magglio Ordonez put together a solid year and got some votes for MVP. His .363 avg is pretty extreme from what we are used to from Ordonez, but it should be safe to say he will hit .300+. His power numbers were good with 28 hrs, 139 rbis, and 117 runs. Don't expect much to change while batting in the middle of this solid lineup.

Curtis Granderson is quickly turning into a top outfield talent. His .302 avg is .30 points higher than any of the previous 3 years, and is remarkable considering his amount of strikeouts he gets (141/52 k/bb). He's getting more experience so perhaps his eye for the strike zone will get even better this year. He gives 20+hrs, 20+steals, and will be scoring tons of runs in this stacked lineup.

Jacque Jones is far from a great fantasy option but he does have uses. From 2004-2006 he averaged 24 hrs and 11 steals per year. Perhaps a switch back to the American league will bring back some of his production. He has the potential to provide some pop and some speed on the cheap.

The lineup is stacked with hitters who can hit for high averages, provide 20+ homer, tons of runs and rbis, with a few options for steals. Come draft day, the Tigers will be prowling so don't be afraid to capture one for your team. A look at the rotation/bullpen in part 2.