DETROIT -- For all the hullabaloo about the Tigers' free agent hunt this winter, Detroit's fortunes rest on the progress of its young talent. And few positions rely more heavily on that young talent -- and show how slowly, yet suddenly that talent can emerge -- than the corner infield spots.

To appreciate where Carlos Pena and Brandon Inge stand now, consider where they stood last spring: Heralded prospects turned somewhat maligned turned Major Leaguers whose potential time clock was ticking and whose places in the Tigers' plans were growing shakier with each move. Inge lost his starting catching job to Ivan Rodriguez little more than two weeks before pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training, whereupon manager Alan Trammell unleashed the idea of Inge the utilityman.

• Catchers: I-Rod behind the plate • Corner infielders: Youth at corners • Middle infielders: Turning two • Outfielders: Crowded in the outfield • Starting rotation: Best yet to come • Bullpen: Two big offseason moves • DH and Bench: Young needs healthy year

Pena still had his starting spot, but it was far from secure after a series of growing pains and learning steps in 2003. Just because the Tigers hadn't added a first baseman off the market didn't mean they didn't have alternatives, as would happen last summer when Dmitri Young started sharing time at the spot. Even Pena's defensive reputation couldn't escape question after occasional mental mistakes became part of the lowlight reel of 2003.

The 2004 season ended up bringing redemption for Inge and Pena alike, though one was more expected than the other. Pena showed not only a tough skin to take the criticism, but also a streaky power bat. He interrupted a lengthy early-season slump with a six-hit game at Kansas City on May 27, only to fall into another skid afterward. He found more consistency in the season's second half, when his 16 home runs after the All-Star break led the team and ranked 12th in the American League.

Inge, meanwhile, found a new career playing the field -- for a while, all over the field. While he shuffled between third base and the outfield for the first half of last season, he found the time away from being behind the plate re-energized him when he came to bat. He hit and fielded so well, in fact, he eventually found a home at third base, where he displaced the struggling Eric Munson.

That's how far they've come. The big question for the Tigers this coming year -- and, realistically, the most pressing question if Detroit's lineup is going to improve -- is how much more potential they have left.

That's a tricky subject for Trammell, especially when it comes to Pena. Because the label of potential often turns into pressure, the force that many blame for holding down Pena his first two years in Detroit. Yet it's also a real statistical debate. The Tigers don't have the power and production yet that other teams have on their corners, but they're hoping development can narrow that gap.

"Carlos is one of our players that we're expecting to do certain things," Trammell said, "but I hate to put up a number. He's still a guy that's developing, but what we saw the last couple months is the player I think Carlos was hoping for and what we're hoping for."

Take his second-half numbers and project them over a full season, and a 30-homer season is within Pena's reach, possibly 35. Considering he did most of his power hitting while the heart of the Tigers lineup was limping -- Carlos Guillen missed most of September, Rodriguez was worn down and Alex Sanchez was long since out for the season -- Pena's run production could take a boost, too.

That would be a first for Pena, who has never enjoyed an abundance of RBI situations as a Tiger. Seventeen of his 27 homers last season came with the bases empty, as have 38 of his 64 home runs over the last three years. He's had 306 at-bats with runners in scoring position over that time span, during which he's a .229 career hitter. Just 98 at-bats over that time period have come with a runner on third base.

Trammell went into the offseason calling Inge his "wild card" he could slot into nearly any position depending on whether the Tigers added anyone in free agency. So far they haven't, meaning Inge goes into Spring Training back at third. There's no doubt he can handle it defensively; his quick reactions to dive at grounders down the line and strong arm to fire across the infield make him a potential Gold Glove winner if he sticks to it. But he, too, will be looking at offense as a key.

While Inge has surprising punch for his size as a hitter, a traditional mashing third baseman he is not. His value as a hitter comes in RBI chances. He hit .284 with runners in scoring position last year, including 5-for-11 with the bases loaded and 10-for-16 with a man on third and fewer than two outs. His simple approach of aiming line drives to the middle may yet prove ideal for Comerica Park, though he was a .303 hitter on the road in 2004.

The Tigers have plenty at stake in their corner infielders' development. Just as their playing careers have started to parallel, they also became eligible for arbitration for the first time in the same offseason. Pena will make just over $2.5 million in 2005, while Inge will make $1.35 million, giving the Tigers nearly $4 million combined on the corners. Another developmental step, and they could be a relative bargain, not to mention candidates for longer contracts.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.