ESPN Insider Jim Bowden Releases MLB Offseason Grades

Sep 17, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) hits balls to infielders during batting practice before playing the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Tigers (MLB Rank 13, Grade B)

Bowden says:

"The Tigers lost two key components to their starting rotation in Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello and tried to replace them with less expensive answers in Shane Greene and Alfredo Simon in separate trades. They also improved their defense in center with the trade for Gose and added more power and speed in acquiring Cespedes."

We say: It’s easy to get behind the addition of Cespedes as a plus to their lineup even while losing Hunter. The problem for the Tigers is that in losing Scherzer and Porcello, they were replaced by the likes of Shane Greene and Alfredo Simon, nothing about that seems good. That Tigers rotation is not anything close to what it was, and the bullpen remains a massive problem.