The 2018 MLB season is now under wraps, which means it’s time to start looking ahead. FanGraphs has already released their Steamer projections for the 2019 season, giving a dispassionate look at how each MLB team profiles next year. In particular, we’re interested in the Detroit Tigers, and where their major needs are concentrated.
Steamer is based in FanGraphs’ version of wins above replacement (fWAR), which, for our money, is the best and simplest method for projecting the season to come. Whichever method one prefers, this is only a rough pass to begin with, so there’s little need to haggle over the details.