DEPARTURES: RHP Kyle Farnsworth (free agent, signed with Royals), RHP Todd Jones (retired), SS Edgar Renteria (free agent, signed with Giants), OF Matt Joyce (traded to Rays), C Vance Wilson (free agent, signed minor league deal with Royals), LHP Casey Fossum (free agent, signed minor league deal with Mets), RHP Freddy Garcia (free agent, signed with Mets).

SPRING FOCUS: Determining whether RHP Brandon Lyon or RHP Fernando Rodney -- or someone else -- will close games is the No. 1 task of the spring; the rest of the bullpen should fall into line after that. Getting the rotation ready and finding a fifth starter is No. 2. Positions in the field are set, but the bench is not; incumbent UT Ryan Raburn faces a challenge from rookie INF Jeff Larish for the last seat on the bench.

PROJECTED ROTATION:

1. RHP Justin Verlander

2. RHP Jeremy Bonderman

3. RHP Armando Galarraga

4. RHP Edwin Jackson

5. LHP Dontrelle Willis, LHP Nate Robertson, RHP Zach Miner or RHP Rick Porcello

Bonderman began throwing two weeks before Spring Training began and reported feeling good, but the key to a Detroit rebound will be a return by Verlander to way he dominated hitters his first two seasons, when he won 35 games, and a repeat of his strong rookie season by Galarraga.

Porcello is putting himself into the competition despite being barely 20 and with only one year of pro ball under his belt (much as Bonderman did when he made the club in 2003). He has the stuff and if he pitches well while Willis and Robertson falter, it would create a chance for the youngster.

Last year, Detroit opened the season with three lefties in the rotation; this year it may have none. Robertson dropped some weight and worked hard to get some flexibility while Willis also shed some pounds in an effort to regain his control as both work to rebound from disastrous 2008 seasons. Miner is in place if the lefties falter but could also be rotation insurance while helping the bullpen.

PROJECTED BULLPEN:

RHP Brandon Lyon (closer)

RHP Fernando Rodney

LHP Bobby Seay

RHP Joel Zumaya

RHP Zach Miner

LHP Kyle Bloom or LHP Nate Robertson or LHP Dontrelle Willis

RHP Juan Rincon, RHP Scott Williamson or RHP Freddy Dolsi

Detroit needs either Lyon or Rodney to grab the closer's job, which would set up the back end of the bullpen. Front end is in flux and the club is hopeful Rincon can bounce back or Williamson can be healthy. Miner could wind up in the rotation but is likely to begin the season in the bullpen.

Finding a second lefty to go with Seay is a priority but there are candidates. Some rookies, notably RHP Casey Fien, will get a long look and it's likely Detroit will be looking at the salary dumps and discards of other teams during the spring.

PROJECTED LINEUP:

1. CF Curtis Granderson

2. 2B Placido Polanco

3. RF Magglio Ordonez

4. 1B Miguel Cabrera

5. LF Carlos Guillen

6. DH Gary Sheffield

7. C Gerald Laird

8. 3B Brandon Inge

9. SS Adam Everett

Bottom three spots in the order may fluctuate from game-to-game, and whether Guillen's back and knees can hold up in the outfield is a question, but everything else is set.

Manager Jim Leyland likes to make sure his regulars get enough rest to keep them fresh for the finish, so look for the players in the bottom three slots in the order to play 100-120 games at most.

It won't be surprising if Cabrera, who took one turn around the league to adjust, has a monster year in his second tour around the American League. And remember, he led the AL in home runs last season.

PROJECTED RESERVES:

C Matt Trainor

LF Marcus Thames

INF Ramon Santiago

UT Ryan Raburn or INF Jeff Larish

Trainor, Thames and Santiago are set but it could go either way for the last spot on the bench. Raburn has the edge because he's been there before and he can play any position in the infield or outfield. Larish could get the call if the Tigers feel the need for left-handed power pinch-hitter or occasional DH.

If Raburn isn't around, though, the only alternative Detroit has in center is 3B Brandon Inge.

It's not hopeless for OF Clete Thomas, either, if Thames is dealt at some point to fill a void at another position. Thomas is a sound defender who hits from the left side.

TOP ROOKIES:

The organization's last two No. 1 draft choices -- RHP Rick Porcello (2007) and RHP Ryan Perry (2008) -- had impressive early springs to put themselves in contention to grab roster spots should others falter. Porcello, 20, was the Florida State League ERA champion with a 2.66 ERA while compiling an 8-6 record on an innings and pitch limit. Perry had a 3.86 ERA in 12 games for high Class A Lakeland with four saves.

A number of other pitchers have a chance to make the roster at some point. RHP Casey Fien went 3-3 with 12 saves and a 2.96 ERA in 40 games for Double-A Erie to earn a bump to Triple-A, while RHP Rudy Darrow was 4-2 with four saves and a 1.85 ERA in 33 games for low Class A West Michigan before impressing in 14 games for Erie (six saves, 2.63 ERA in 14 games). Both will be watched closely this spring. No. 2 2008 pick RHP Cody Satterwhite struck out 22 in 18 innings with a 4.42 ERA in 17 games for Lakeland (two saves) and could position himself for a mid-year call-up.

INF Jeff Larish impressed as a pinch-hitter in two brief trials last season and might open with the Tigers if they feel his left-handed bat and power potential outweighs UT Ryan Raburn's versatility and experience. Larish, who hit .260 with two home runs and 16 RBIs in 42 games for Detroit, added a third baseman's glove to his equipment bag last year and could help himself by taking fly balls in left this spring.

MEDICAL WATCH:

RHP Joel Zumaya (small right shoulder fracture that did not require surgery) had been throwing without strain or pain until feeling a twinge in his right shoulder that prompted a visit to Dr. James Andrews on March 6 for a precautionary examination. He was told simply to take a couple of days off from throwing.

RHP Jeremy Bonderman (right rib removal, blood clot surgery in June 2008) came down with a sore right shoulder that caused him to miss his first exhibition game. An examination disclosed it was a nerve related to the surgery, but it is not expected to be serious. Still, he was shut down for nearly a week before resuming light throwing.

LF Carlos Guillen (sore back, missed all of last September) played a handful of winter games in left field with no ill effects; is playing for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, but said he would drop out if he doesn't play left.

C Gerald Laird (slight left quad strain) was injured March 5 but was not expected to miss a great deal of time.