CATCHERS
No. 27 Dioner Navarro
Bats: S | Throws: R
Ht: 5-9 | Wt: 215
Age: 32 | Service Time: 9.091
Well-traveled veteran catcher has plenty of personality and a little bit of pop in his bat. One of two new players behind the plate.
MLB
No. 31 Alex Avila
Bats: L | Throws: R
Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 210
Age: 29 | Service Time: 6.061
Another experienced backstop who has played for a winning team in all but one season and has handled several elite pitchers in Detroit.
INFIELDERS
No. 79 Jose Abreu
Bats: R | Throws: R
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 255
Age: 27 | Service Time: 2.00
Managed to become only second to post 30-homers, 100-RBIs in first two seasons despite limited protection in 2015.
No. 15 Brett Lawrie
Bats: R | Throws: R
Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 210
Age: 26 | Service Time: 4.055
High energy infielder is making transition to second base. Club is hopeful move to hitter friendly ballpark could result in power surge.
No. 7 Jimmy Rollins
Bats: R | Throws: R
Ht: 5-7 | Wt: 175
Age: 37 | Service Time: 15.015
Speedy, steady and professional, and a proven winner, he provides much-needed leadership in middle of the diamond and a bridge to prospect Tim Anderson.
No. 18 Tyler Saladino
Bats: R | Throws: R
Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 200
Age: 26 | Service Time: 0.087
Versatile defender showed his value when he excelled at third base in ’15. Team is hopeful his bat improves upon .602 OPS in second season.
No. 21 Todd Frazier
Bats: R | Throws: R
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 220
Age: 30 | Service Time: 4.071
Home Run Derby champ brings energy, attitude and professional approach to the middle of the order and a strong glove to the hot corner.
OUTFIELDERS
No. 26 Avisail Garcia
Bats: R | Throws: R
Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 240
Age: 24 | Service Time: 2.167
Has had a strong spring after making several changes to stance and approach. Club’s chances improve if his bat develops and he drives the ball.
No. 1 Adam Eaton
Bats: L | Throws: L
Ht: 5-8 | Wt: 185
Age: 27 | Service Time: 3.030
Could be an All-Star if he replicates the .834 OPS he posted from May 5 on in 2015. Dynamic offensive player could be even better defender in corners.
No. 53 Melky Cabrera
Bats: S | Throws: L
Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 210
Age: 31 | Service Time: 9.148
Had to be a big relief to the front office when his OPS improved by 139 points to .782 in the second half. Offense needs similar showing all season.
No. 10 Austin Jackson
Bats: R | Throws: R
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 205
Age: 29 | Service Time: 6.000
Rick Hahn’s patience paid off by adding this defensive dynamo to what was the worst outfield in baseball. Should see bat boosted by move to hitter’s park, too.
No. 20 J.B. Shuck
Bats: L | Throws: L
Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 195
Age: 28 | Service Time: 2.111
Knows his role. Provides excellent energy and ability to play all three spots off bench. Had an .820 OPS (49 plate appearances) in non starts.
No. 41 Jerry Sands
Bats: R | Throws: R
Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 225
Age: 28 | Service Time: 1.142
Has been dominant against LHPs and could play a valuable role. Big power. Needs to bridge gap against righties to see significant playing time.
STARTING PITCHER
No. 49 Chris Sale
Bats: L | Throws: L
Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 190
Age: 27 | Service Time: 5.061
One of baseball’s best pitchers set a franchise-record with 274 strikeouts last season. Always a threat to put together a Cy Young-type season.
No. 62 Jose Quintana
Bats: L | Throws: L
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 220
Age: 25 | Service Time: 1.133
The steadiest and best pitcher nobody’s heard of outside of Chicago. Has produced 13.4 WAR and a 3.40 ERA in 606 2/3 innings over past three seasons.
No. 50 John Danks
Bats: L | Throws: L
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 210
Age: 28 | Service Time: 7.00
Has worked to shore up mechanics and sounds as confident as he has in a few years. Improvement over 4.71 ERA in 2015 is needed for Sox to succeed.
No. 55 Carlos Rodon
Bats: L | Throws: L
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 235
Age: 23 | Service Time: 0.168
Has ability to be an elite pitcher as evidenced by final eight starts of season. Has learned importance of fastball command and has wicked slider.
No. 38 Mat Latos
Bats: R | Throws: R
Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 245
Age: 28 | Service Time: 6.079
Perhaps the biggest wild card for the team’s fortunes is his health. If he’s on, he’s a steal and they’re likely to be in contention all summer.
RELIEF PITCHER
No. 65 Nate Jones
Bats: R | Throws: R
Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 220
Age: 30 | Service Time: 4.000
The stuff from Nasty Nate has been downright vile this spring as he continues to show he’s fully recovered from Tommy John and his hip issues.
No. 33 Zach Duke
Bats: L | Throws: L
Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 210
Age: 32 | Service Time: 9.054
Has great stuff from all different angles and struck out 9.8 per nine last season. Gives bullpen veteran presence and is top option for lefty hitters (.604 OPS).
No. 30 David Robertson
Bats: R | Throws: R
Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 195
Age: 30 | Service Time: 7.070
Was unhappy with 2015 performance despite converting 34 of 41 saves (83 percent). Has averaged 12 strikeouts per nine for his career.
No. 34 Matt Albers
Bats: R | Throws: R
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 225
Age: 33 | Service Time: 8.141
Unsung hero of bullpen down the stretch, has been outstanding when healthy. Sinkerball gives bullpen yet another consistent weapon.
No. 57 Zach Putnam
Bats: R | Throws: R
Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 220
Age: 28 | Service Time: 2.135
Split-fingered fastball is one of best pitches in the bullpen. Strikeouts have been a plus. But he needs to cut down on mistakes to be a consistent force.
No. 52 Jake Petricka
Bats: R | Throws: R
Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 220
Age: 27 | Service Time: 2.044
Another ground-ball machine. He struggled in the second half with a 5.12 ERA after converting 14 of 18 saves the season before.
No. 43 Dan Jennings
Bats: L | Throws: L
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 210
Age: 28 | Service Time: 2.171
The second lefty out of the ‘pen, he posted a 1.35 ERA over the final 33 1/3 innings of his season. Fastball velocity has been down this spring.