Veteran Tigers roster trying to hold off Father Time for one more year

As the 2017 fantasy baseball season approaches, we take a look at the biggest news and story lines from each club. We'll feature one team each weekday ... and we'll finish up on Feb. 15, the first day all teams will have their pitchers and catchers on the field for workouts.

The Detroit Tigers can still put a solid group on the field, but age and depth look like major issues in 2017. They made some noise about looking to trade some of their veterans, but haven't pulled the trigger on any significant moves yet this offseason.

2016 at a glance

Record: 86-75 (2nd in AL Central)
Hitting: 10th (4.66 R/G)
Pitching: 20th (4.24 ERA)

Arrivals

C Alex Avila

The former Tiger returns to claim a backup role. Otherwise, the 25-man roster remains virtually intact.

Players to watch

1B Miguel Cabrera
2B Ian Kinsler
OF J.D. Martinez
OF Justin Upton
SP Justin Verlander

Cabrera has been consistently great for a over decade. He may be only a borderline top-10 fantasy player anymore, but you can pretty much bank on a .320 average, 30+ homers and 100 RBI.

The rest of the veteran supporting cast should continue to be productive, but injuries are always a possibility. They're all between 29 and 34 years old -- and DH Victor Martinez is 38. This group may have one more run left, but there's a definite risk of a rapid collapse.

Verlander rebounded from two subpar seasons to nearly win the AL Cy Young Award with his 16 wins, 3.04 ERA and league-leading 254 strikeouts.

Sleepers

OF JaCoby Jones
SP Daniel Norris

Jones, 24, looks like he'll back up Tyler Collins in center field, but he has good speed and some extra-base pop as well.

Norris probably wasn't ready when he made his MLB debut in 2015, but he did a creditable job in 13 starts last season for Detroit with a 3.38 ERA. He struck out 77 batters in 73 1/3 innings, but a .343 average on balls in play contributed to a 1.40 WHIP. Keep him in mind for the endgame.

Bullpen

Closer: Francisco Rodriguez
Next: Justin Wilson

Now 35, K-Rod is still getting it done with that great change-up. His ERA was a bit high (3.24), but you can do worse for a second-tier closer.

Position battles

In addition to Collins and Jones, Anthony Gose could be in the mix in center field. The Tigers' opening day starter last year, Gose has been a major disappointment after being acquired from Toronto in 2015. But he may be the fastest player on the roster and is still only 26.

Prospects

There isn't another Michael Fulmer in the Tigers farm system just waiting for a chance to contribute in the majors. Fulmer made his MLB debut in late April and was 9-2 with a 2.11 ERA at the All-Star break. He hit the rookie wall in the second half, but should be fully prepared to go the distance in his age 24 season.

Projected batting order

1. 2B Ian Kinsler
2. RF J.D. Martinez
3. 1B Miguel Cabrera
4. DH Victor Martinez
5. LF Justin Upton
6. 3B Nick Castellanos
7. CF Tyler Collins*
8. C James McCann
9. SS Jose Iglesias

* Platoon with JaCoby Jones

Although Kinsler, Cabrera, J.D. Martinez and Upton don't have any major platoon splits, they all hit from the right side. The starting lineup could use another lefty hitter besides Collins (although Victor Martinez is a switch-hitter).

Projected rotation

1. RHP Justin Verlander
2. RHP Michael Fulmer
3. RHP Jordan Zimmermann
4. RHP Anibal Sanchez
5. LHP Daniel Norris