2025-26 MLB Offseason Recap: Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers have made the playoffs in each of the last two seasons and nearly pushed to the final four both times. Now, the quest for more than just an ALCS berth begins. Detroit has championship aspirations, thanks in large part to its current core. Plus, some very notable additions made over the 2025-26 offseason.

Additions

• SP Drew Anderson
• RP Kenley Jansen
• SP Framber Valdez
• SP Justin Verlander

In terms of pure numbers, it wasn’t a massive offseason when it came to offseason acquisitions. However, when taking into account the impact players brought in, that’s a different story.

Detroit snagged pitcher Framber Valdez, arguably the best pitcher available in the offseason, on a multi-year deal in February. It ended a long stint on the free agent market for the lefty, who had a very difficult second half last season, thanks to wounds both self-inflicted and some not so much.

However, it’s hard to state that Valdez isn’t a good pitcher. He is, and one of the best in the Majors when he’s on. The veteran starter has a fantastic heavy sinker, as well as a great curveball.

Bringing Valdez has some obvious trickle-down effects, most notably that the Tigers now have an internal option to take over as staff ace should Tarik Skubal walk to free agency. It’s extremely likely that it will happen. Skubal told USA Today that the Tigers did not give him an extension offer over the winter, and that there won’t be one until next winter as the focus now shifts towards the 2026 season.

Additionally, Valdez gives the Tigers another powerful rotation weapon in what could be considered a World Series-or-else season.

Valdez’s old teammate from Houston, Justin Verlander, also signed with the Tigers. Verlander returns to the place where he became a superstar. For Verlander, things have changed. He won’t be the ace for the team but he will be an important depth arm for a Tigers team that is down some important arms heading into 2026.

And, Verlander is coming back after he pitched very well in the second half.

Reliever Kenley Jansen will be on the Tigers in 2026. He’ll likely be the main guy for saves, although A.J. Hinch loves to throw high-leverage relievers in different situations.

Former Phillies and Rangers pitcher Drew Anderson returned to North America after a four-year stint in Asia. Anderson pitched two seasons for the Hiroshima Carp in the NPB, followed by two seasons with SSG in Korea. He struck out 245 batters over 171 innings in 2025.

Losses

• SP Alex Cobb
• RP Jason Foley
• RP Sean Guenther
• INF/OF Justyn-Henry Malloy
• INF Andy Ibanez
• RP Tommy Kahnle
• RP Alex Lange
• RP Chase Lee
• RP Rafael Montero
• SP Chris Paddack
• RP Paul Sewald
• RP Jose Urquidy

The Tigers lost a lot of players on paper. However, many of the players listed above played very little or not at all last season with Detroit.

Alex Cobb, who signed with the Tigers in December 2024, battled hip problems all year long and didn’t throw a Major League pitch. Neither did Jason Foley, who’s now with the Giants. Alex Lange, once the closer, pitched in one game last year. Paul Sewald, acquired in the summer from Cleveland, and Jose Urquidy combined to pitch in six games.

Perhaps the most notable losses were Rafael Montero, who pitched well last season after he was acquired from the Braves, and Chase Lee. Lee was flipped to the Blue Jays for a young reliever, Minor Leaguer Johan Simon.

However, two notable players from the Tigers’ 2025 team did not leave despite going to free agency. Gleyber Torres, who could have been a free agent again, accepted his qualifying offer in November. Reliever Kyle Finnegan re-signed with a team with which he fit in very well late last season.

Overview

This may very well be the Tigers’ last shot to win a title with Tarik Skubal. Detroit has knocked on the door of the ALCS in each of the last two seasons but failed to make it there both times.

Detroit filled gaps where needed. Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander fill out the rotation very nicely, one that’ll likely not have Jackson Jobe and Reese Olson for all of 2026.

As the prohibitive favorite to win the AL Central this season, expectations are sky-high for the Tigers. And, given that Kevin McGonigle could make his way to the Motor City in 2026, it could also be the start of a new year for a team that also has a plethora of young hitters on the rise.