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5 Biggest Stories To Watch Heading Into Detroit Tigers Spring Training 2015

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By @Brad_Faber

5 Biggest Stories To Watch Heading Into Detroit Tigers Spring Training 2015

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Although it is still a few weeks away, Spring Training will be here sooner than you know it, and baseball fever is most certainly in the air. This upcoming season, the Detroit Tigers will be setting out on yet another mission to win their first World Series since 1984. As with most any team, however, they have their fair share of question marks. Without further ado, here are five stories that are sure to be hot topics out of Tigers camp.

5. Nick Castellanos' Sophomore Season

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5. Nick Castellanos' Sophomore Season

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Just one year ago, all eyes were focused on Nick Castellanos as he prepared for his rookie season. While Castellanos wasn't bad by any means in 2014, hitting .259 with 11 home runs and a .700 OPS, most agree that his ceiling is much, much higher. He also has work to do on improving his defense at the hot corner. It will be interesting to see if Castellanos hits a sophomore slump, or vastly improves on his freshman season.

4. Returning Relievers

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4. Returning Relievers

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In 2014, it was hardly a secret that the Tigers' bullpen was their Achilles heel. After all, Tigers relievers posted a 4.29 ERA, which was the fourth worst in all of MLB. Heading into 2015, however, they may get a shot in the arm if hard-throwing righties Bruce Rondon and Joel Hanrahan are able to make triumphant returns after each missing the entire 2014 campaign.

3. Jose Iglesias' Comeback

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3. Jose Iglesias' Comeback

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Like Rondon and Hanrahan, slick-fielding shortstop Jose Iglesias also missed the entire 2014 campaign. The Tigers were forced to a use a less-than-stellar revolving door of Alex Gonzalez, Andrew Romine, Danny Worth, Eugenio Suarez and Hernan Perez at shortstop. To put it simply, shortstop was an issue for essentially the entire season, and the team was never truly able to recover from the loss of Iglesias. His return will be appreciated.

2. Justin Verlander's Attempt To Bounce Back

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2. Justin Verlander's Attempt To Bounce Back

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Last season, Justin Verlander had his worst campaign since 2008, going 15-12 with a 4.54 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. Heading into 2015, with the trade of Rick Porcello and departure of Max Scherzer, it will be imperative for Verlander to rediscover his past dominance. Yes, the Tigers still have David Price and Anibal Sanchez, but Verlander is going to be a crucial piece of the puzzle nevertheless.

1. Miguel Cabrera's Health

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1. Miguel Cabrera's Health

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After undergoing ankle surgery early in the offseason, it has been reported that superstar Miguel Cabrera is unlikely to be ready for early Spring Training action, and his Opening Day status remains up in the air as well. Obviously, the Tigers have many other talented offensive players such as Ian Kinsler, Yoenis Cespedes, as well as Victor and J.D. Martinez, but there is simply no other hitter like Cabrera when he is healthy.

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