LAKELAND, Fla. — Detroit Tigers utility infielder Greg Garcia is feeling déjà vu. He recalls playing for the 2019 San Diego Padres, a team that finished at the bottom of the National League West.
One year later, with some noteworthy acquisitions, the Padres surged to the NLDS, snapping a 13-year playoff drought.
The Tigers are in a somewhat similar spot, following three last places finishes in the American League Central in four years. The franchise is nearing the completion of the rebuild but remains a handful of pieces away from contending.