Infos und News... » we catch up with representatives from the other AL C

After a long Phil Hughes Jersey , slow offseason, entral SBN Sites, next up is the Tigers"Believe it or not, real, actual baseball is right around the corner. The spring games have already started, and Opening Day is just over a month away. After a few months of watching a lukewarm stove, it’s time to catch up with what’s going on around the division. I sent some questions around to folks from our sister sites in the SB Nation network for the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, and Cleveland Indians. They were kind enough to answer the questions, and we’ll run one team each day this week. Assume any editing mistakes are mine. And with no further ado, it’s time to pass the microphone to...Detroit: Rob Rogacki, Manager http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-max-kepler-jersey , Bless You BoysWhat players and/or storylines should we be watching on your team this spring?The story that most national pundits will focus on this spring is one that followed the Tigers all winter. Will Nicholas Castellanos be traded before Opening Day? The Tigers have been floating Castellanos in trade talks for the last year (if not longer), but have not gotten any offers to their liking. It doesn’t seem likely that Castellanos will be moved before Opening Day, and it will be interesting to see how Castellanos responds to playing another year for a rebuilding club.But if you ask Tigers fans which player they are watching, most will say that they are keeping close tabs on Daniel Norris. The promising left-hander is now in his mid-20s, and has only shown flashes of his potential, mostly during a strong second half in 2016. He will once again be competing for a spot in the starting rotation this spring, but has yet to take that next step as a big league starter.What is one more player personnel move you would like to see your team make before spring training ends?The Tigers have holes at both second base and catcher, but I think the latter is the more pressing issue. Former third round pick Grayson Greiner is the de facto starter heading into the year, with John Hicks serving as his backup. Most Tigers fans are fine with Greiner getting the lion’s share of playing time; he isn’t projected to be anything more than a career backup, but with the team expected to finish at the bottom of the AL Central, it’s worth giving him the reins to see what he is made of.Hicks is a different story. He isn’t a great defender, and served as the team’s first baseman or designated hitter for long stretches in 2018. Worse yet, he is coming off offseason groin surgery; while it seems that he is healthy and ready to go http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-max-kepler-jersey , it makes more sense for the Tigers to add another backstop in free agency (anyone have Martin Maldonado’s number?) and plug Hicks into the 1B/DH role he spent most of his time in last year.What’s changed over the offseason for your team? What is new and good, what is new and bad, and what is just plain different?Many Tigers fans are frustrated with the team’s approach this offseason, in part because there isn’t really anything new to speak of. Sure, they signed Tyson Ross, Matt Moore, and Jordy Mercer to fill the holes left by departing free agents, but those names don’t really jump off the page. Ross and Moore will battle for a spot in the rotation, while Mercer will play his usual dependable, low-ceiling game at short.If anything, the most exciting development will be Christin Stewart taking over as the team’s primary left fielder. Stewart has been labeled more of a DH type throughout his rise up the minor league ranks, but the Tigers are committed to playing him in left field for the time being. Stewart did his part to generate excitement last September, when he hit well in a handful of at-bats. He may have his gaffes in the field Anibal Sanchez Jersey , but he could be one of the team’s most exciting hitters in 2019.How was last season for you as a fan? What has been the general vibe around your team during the offseason, and how do you feel about the upcoming season?Last season was rough for Tigers fans. The team was bad for a second consecutive season, and the team did little to change that outlook for 2019. This is life for a rebuilding club, something that Tigers fans were all too familiar with in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Call us spoiled -- we deserve it after the last decade or so -- but many fans were hoping for a bit more spending from the team this offseason. Instead, they will probably finish with 90-plus losses for the third consecutive year, and pick up another top 10 draft pick heading into 2020.Who do you think will win the division, and why?Is this a trick question? It’s the Indians, right? What other question should we have asked you but didn’t?Sadly, no. The Tigers are in the least sexy part of their rebuild -- after the top-end talent is gone, but before the top prospects arrive. They will bring up a few players here and there that Tigers fans will cheer about, but few (aside from Stewart, maybe) will generate any national buzz. The team may surprise, as any MLB club is capable of http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-max-kepler-jersey , but there’s a reason they have some of the longest World Series odds of any team in baseball. Jackson allowed a grand slam to Rhys Hoskins in the seventh that blew the game open."Atlanta Braves NewsBraves’ bullpen implodes in a 10-4 Opening Day loss to the PhilliesJulio Teheran turned in a good performance but Shane Carle and Luke Jackson were tagged for seven runs in just 1 2/3 innings in a 10-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Opening Day. Braves react to Opening Day loss to PhilliesPostgame comments and interviews from Teheran, Brian Snitker, Freddie Freeman and Brian McCann following Thursday’s loss in Philadelphia. Opening Day NotesSchultz: Braves are good but again have little margin for errorThe Athletic’s Jeff Schultz writes that this Braves’ roster is good and perhaps even improved, but there is little margin for error thanks to the improvement by the rest of the teams in the NL East. Braves officially announce 2019 Opening Day rosterAtlanta waited until the last possible minute but finally announced its Opening Day roster Thursday morning. No real surprises with late additions Josh Tomlin and Matt Joyce making the team. Catcher Raffy Lopez was designated for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. The team also placed Mike Foltynewicz, Kevin Gausman, A.J. Minter and Darren O’Day on the 10-day injured list. Inciarte, Albies will handle leadoff dutiesBrian Snitker confirmed on Thursday to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Gabe Burns that he plans to use Ender Inciarte at the leadoff spot against right-handers and Ozzie Albies against lefties. Inciarte got off to a rough start in the opener going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. Soroka, Gohara throwing, but no timetablesGabe Burns also reports that both Mike Soroka and Luiz Gohara are throwing but there is no timetable for either’s return. Soroka has been pitching in minor league games and appears to be a possibility for late April or early May but Gohara hasn’t been scheduled for any game action yet. Road to Atlanta - Episode 1 (kinda): Previewing the 2019 Braves MiLB RostersThe Road to Atlanta has relaunched with a preview of the Braves’ 2019 MiLB Rosters. MLB NewsDan Straily Reportedly Weighing Multiple OffersFree-agent right-hander Dan Straily is reportedly weighing multiple big league offers from three AL teams. Straily was released by the Marlins last week when they pared their roster down for Opening Day. Pirates OF Chisenhall out with fractured fingerPirates outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall opened the season on the 10-day injured list due to a fractured right index finger which he suffered after being hit by a pitch on Monday. Chisenhall was penciled in to start in right field for the Pirates who are also without Gregory Polanco for the first part of the season.