If there’s one thing the 2010 Detroit Tigers have a lot of, it’s question marks. Spring training is winding down, and Jim Leyland’s club is hoping to make a serious run for an AL Central division title, something it couldn’t quite reach in 2009. But Tigers fans, I guess what I’m saying is: don’t get your hopes up.

THE ROTATION

The strength of the Tigers is their rotation, a group that is arguably the best in the AL Central (the White Sox probably have a slight edge). Jason Verlander is the ace of this established staff, coming off his best year in the majors in ’09 (19 wins, 3.45 ERA). Rick Porcello is also coming off an impressive rookie season, posting a 3.96 ERA as just a 20 year old. The team also brought in Max Scherzer from Arizona, a young pitcher that has excellent stuff but has been oft-injured in the past couple seasons. The back end of the rotation is undoubtedly shaky, as Jeremy Bonderman tries to finally reach his potential and Eddie Bonine, Nate Robertson, and Dontrelle Willis fight over the fifth spot. If Porcello avoids a sophomore slump, Bonderman pitches a full season, and the D-Train gets back on the tracks (sorry, couldn’t help it) the Tigers could have one of the AL’s most formidable rotations.

THE BULLPEN

Detroit vastly improved their bullpen in the offseason when they acquired closer Jose Valverde, a proven stopper who has a career 3.17 ERA and has averaged almost 39 saves in the last 3 seasons. This is probably a step up over the departed Fernando, who saved 37 of 38 games but also compiled a scary 4.40 ERA in 2009. Joel Zumaya will once again try to stay healthy and hold down the set-up role, but expecting Zumaya to complete a full season at this point is most likely misguided and naïve. Detroit also has problems with long relief, but if the rotation holds up that may not prove to be too much of a problem.

THE LINEUP

What really scares me about Detroit’s lineup is how much they are depending on players to bounce back from bad seasons, as well for young players to make an immediate impact. Miguel Cabrera is the one proven contributor, an RBI machine that consistently hits .300 with 30+ homers and 100+ RBIs. Johnny Damon was also a good addition in free agency, as he always hits for a high average and finds ways to get on base. Beyond that though, we don’t know what we’re going to get from this veteran team. Carlos Guillen and Gerald Laird are both hoping to bounce back from mediocre offensive seasons, and while Magglio Ordonez hit .310 in 2009 he experienced a power shortage, only hitting 9 homers while driving in 50 runs. And then there are the rookies. With Curtis Granderson chasing the dollars and bright lights of the Bronx, youngster Austin Jackson will need to step in and produce some pop in center field. Second base mainstay Placido Polanco also left for brighter pastures (Philadelphia), and so rookie Scott Sizemore will need to fill his shoes. That’s a tall task for both Jackson and Sizemore.

PREDICTION

At this point I have Detroit finishing behind Chicago for 2nd place in the AL Central. I think they have some glaring issues in an aging lineup, as well as questions in the back end of their rotation. If all goes right, they can win the division. But that’s a lot of “ifs”.