Lakeland, Fla. — One difference in the Tigers, and in spring camp 2016, is quantifiable.
They have more arms. More good arms than they’ve had in years. They have more roles that have been defined or that are open to honest competition.
Compare this camp with those Marchant Stadium moments from three years ago when a Tigers front office and team held its breath when 22-year-old Bruce Rondon arrived for some ninth-inning rehearsals. He was the team’s closer. Not officially, but realistically. He failed, and the Tigers bullpen that October betrayed what could have and should have been owner Mike Ilitch’s world championship team.