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5 Questions Surrounding Detroit Tigers Heading Into 2016 MLB Season

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

After a forgettable 2015 campaign, the Detroit Tigers have been able to patch quite a few holes this offseason. However, as with most teams, the Tigers still have a few uncertainties heading into the upcoming season. Here are five of the club’s bigger questions heading into 2016.

5. Is Nick Castellanos Ready To Break Out?

Is Nick Castellanos Ready To Break Out? Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Over his first two full seasons in the major leagues, some Tigers fans have been a bit disappointed in the results that Nick Castellanos has been able to produce. However, it is certainly worth noting that he was able to slash a very solid .269/.322/.478 with nine homers and a 116 wRC+ in the second half of last season. He may never be an elite defender at the hot corner, but the soon-to-be 24-year-old should still have plenty of breakout potential at the plate.

Over his first two full seasons in the major leagues, some Tigers fans have been a bit disappointed in the results that Nick Castellanos has been able to produce. However, it is certainly worth noting that he was able to slash a very solid .269/.322/.478 with nine homers and a 116 wRC+ in the second half of last season. He may never be an elite defender at the hot corner, but the soon-to-be 24-year-old should still have plenty of breakout potential at the plate.

4. Can Victor Martinez Rebound?

Can Victor Martinez Rebound? Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
After finishing as the runner-up to Mike Trout in the 2014 AL MVP voting, Victor Martinez signed a reported four-year, $68 million deal to return to the Motor City. But after suffering another knee injury last offseason, the switch-hitter went on to slash a meager .245/.301/.366 with 11 homers and a 77 wRC+ in 2015. Now 37 years old, it will be very interesting to see if he can find his swing once again.

After finishing as the runner-up to Mike Trout in the 2014 AL MVP voting, Victor Martinez signed a reported four-year, $68 million deal to return to the Motor City. But after suffering another knee injury last offseason, the switch-hitter went on to slash a meager .245/.301/.366 with 11 homers and a 77 wRC+ in 2015. Now 37 years old, it will be very interesting to see if he can find his swing once again.

3. Can Bruce Rondon Redeem Himself?

Can Bruce Rondon Redeem Himself? Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
After a pretty solid showing in his rookie campaign back in 2013, Bruce Rondon missed all of 2014 due to Tommy John surgery and began last year on the sidelines with a biceps injury. Through a total of 31 innings in 2015, the hard-throwing reliever posted a bloated 5.81 ERA before being sent home with two weeks left in the season due to issues with his "effort level". Although his attitude has certainly become a concern among many fans, it is hard to give up on a pitcher with an arm like Rondon's. It will be interesting to see if he can get it together in 2016.

After a pretty solid showing in his rookie campaign back in 2013, Bruce Rondon missed all of 2014 due to Tommy John surgery and began last year on the sidelines with a biceps injury. Through a total of 31 innings in 2015, the hard-throwing reliever posted a bloated 5.81 ERA before being sent home with two weeks left in the season due to issues with his "effort level". Although his attitude has certainly become a concern among many fans, it is hard to give up on a pitcher with an arm like Rondon's. It will be interesting to see if he can get it together in 2016.

2. Will The Starting Rotation Pan Out?

Will The Starting Rotation Pan Out? Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Although the Tigers have a great 1-2 punch with a resurgent Justin Verlander and newly-signed Jordan Zimmermann, there are still quite a few question marks in the starting rotation. Last year, oft-injured Anibal Sanchez posted a 4.99 ERA in 157 innings, and Mike Pelfrey had a 4.26 ERA through 164.2 innings with the Minnesota Twins. Promising youngster Daniel Norris only has 66.2 big league innings under his belt and is coming off of surgery for thyroid cancer. If the stars line up, this could indeed be an excellent rotation, but it is far from a sure thing at this point.

Although the Tigers have a great 1-2 punch with a resurgent Justin Verlander and newly-signed Jordan Zimmermann, there are still quite a few question marks in the starting rotation. Last year, oft-injured Anibal Sanchez posted a 4.99 ERA in 157 innings, and Mike Pelfrey had a 4.26 ERA through 164.2 innings with the Minnesota Twins. Promising youngster Daniel Norris only has 66.2 big league innings under his belt and is coming off of surgery for thyroid cancer. If the stars line up, this could indeed be an excellent rotation, but it is far from a sure thing at this point.

1. Is Another Outfielder Needed?

Is Another Outfielder Needed? Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
As it stands right now, it appears that the Tigers will be using some combination of Anthony Gose, Cameron Maybin, Tyler Collins and Mike Aviles to cover center and left field. However, with corner outfielders such as Yoenis Cespedes and Justin Upton still available, some are waiting for the Tigers to make a splash. Although it would be more of a luxury than a necessity, it wouldn't be too surprising if the Tigers decide to bring in a left fielder via trade or free agency.

As it stands right now, it appears that the Tigers will be using some combination of Anthony Gose, Cameron Maybin, Tyler Collins and Mike Aviles to cover center and left field. However, with corner outfielders such as Yoenis Cespedes and Justin Upton still available, some are waiting for the Tigers to make a splash. Although it would be more of a luxury than a necessity, it wouldn't be too surprising if the Tigers decide to bring in a left fielder via trade or free agency.

Brad Faber is a writer for RantSports. Like him on Facebook.
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