The Detroit Tigers entered last season having signed shortstop Javier Baez and with two exciting rookies ready to help the offense: Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene.
Things didn’t quite work out, though: Greene missed time with injury, Baez and Torkelson struggled, and the Tigers’ offense was abysmal.
In fact, they were last in MLB in runs scored in the 2022 campaign, with 557.
They were also dead last in wRC with 81 (19 percent worse than the league-average team) and home runs, with 110.
Their offense was a complete disaster.
The organization is trying to help itself, although not necessarily in the roster department.
“We’re adjusting @ComericaPark’s outfield dimensions and lowering wall heights in key areas prior to Opening Day 2023,” the team informed via Twitter on Wednesday.
The Tigers sought feedback from fans, players and front office stakeholders before announcing the changes.
“For 2023 Opening Day, the center field wall will be adjusted to 412 feet. Additionally, the height of the outfield wall in multiple key areas will be lowered, most notably above the out-of-town scoreboard from 13 feet to seven. The foundation of the entire outfield wall will be reconstructed with material and padding that enhances player safety,” a statement on the matter read.
For years, Comerica Park was a pitchers’ dream.
Now, the situation is about to change, at least slightly.
The outlook of some of the Tigers’ position players has the potential to change.
Still, they have a deep issue developing position players: even Greene and Torkelson haven’t proved they are above-average hitters yet.
While the new outfield and wall dimensions will help, Detroit still has a long way to go to contend.
More must-reads: