Detroit Tigers 2025-2026 Offseason Wishlist

Now that the World Series is officially in the rearview we can shift our discussion to everyone’s favorite hypothetical discussions – roster building. Trades, free agents, prospects, and all the different avenues the Detroit Tigers could go down in order to improve their team and make a deeper postseason run.

Before I start rattling off names I want to let you know this is a predictive article. If it were up to me, I’d want several huge names and call it a day, but that doesn’t really help paint the picture of what the offseason could actually look like. My approach is taking what we know from the front office’s actions of the past and applying it to best predict each Tigers move.

To outline my thought process, I’ll start with what we know. Detroit has shown a willingness to sign players in the $15+ million range while also dipping the toes in larger sweepstakes such as Alex Bregman last season. They also have not been aggressive when adding to their bullpen, aren’t moving on from Javier Baez, and value platoons more than the average team.

With that being said, the front office has not been in a position to address needs coming off back-to-back playoff appearances. Last offseason has a different feel than this one. A more established team, clearer needs, and the question of is this team a contender has now been answered.

I do expect the dial to be turned up. The focus on one-year deals will not be as heavy and a risk or two should be in store.

Pending Free Agents

• Gleyber Torres (Qualifying Offer Eligible)
• Tommy Kahnle
• Rafael Montero
• Chris Paddack
• Kyle Finnegan

Of this group, I would say that Finnegan is the most likely to return. After coming over at the deadline from the Washington Nationals, he pitched to a 1.50 ERA and 1.97 FIP across 16 games. Detroit is in need of bullpen arms and Finnegan showed well, comes with a solid track record, and shouldn’t cost too much.

Torres is the biggest name and could be the one to receive a qualifying offer. To simplify things, the qualifying offer is essentially a one-year deal with a set value of $22.025 million, for 2026. A lot of money for Torres and his production but if he declines the offer Detroit would receive a compensation draft pick.

With Torres wanting a multi-year deal, I think declining the option is very possible. Even if he doesn’t, I’d be happy to take Torres back on a one-year deal. His production dropped off and playing through a hernia issue, which he just had surgically repaired, played a factor in his production.

Options

• Jack Flaherty – $20 million (Player Option)
• Paul Sewald – $10 million (Mutual Option)
• Jose Urquidy – $4 million (Club Option)
• Randy Dobnak – $6 million (Club Option)

Mutual options are extremely rare to be picked up, but I could see Sewald returning on a smaller deal. I could take or leave Urquidy, but if I had to guess I’d say he’s not having his club option picked up. Dobnak does come with a $1 million buyout, but I’d be shocked to see his option picked up.

The big one here is Flaherty. I know there were frustrating stretches but Flaherty finished the year with a 4.64 ERA, 3.85 FIP, 10.51 K/9, and 3.30 BB/9. FIP is a better indicator than ERA and I think he pitched better than fans might realize.

I see his situation as a coin flip. After last winter when Flaherty did not get the deal he was expecting, I wonder if he simply accepts the option and calls it a day. I’m sure he wants more term, but the money might be right. Considering the rotation depth issues, I’d be happy to see him return.

Top Offseason Priorities

Staring Pitcher on Multi-Year Deal

The Tigers have lived in a world of short-term contracts for pitchers. Flaherty, Maeda, Charlie Morton, and Chris Paddack where on brought in knowing the team did not have to commit to longer term deals allowing them flexibility. While I agreed with this strategy at the time, now they need to shift towards longer term.

Tarik Skubal has one year of control left and might not even be in a Tigers uniform come Opening Day. We already discussed Flaherty’s situation and Casey Mize will be a free agent after the 2026 season. With Jackson Jobe recovering from Tommy John surgery and Reese Olson dealing with injuries each of the past two seasons, rotation help needs to be a top priority.

Sure, Troy Melton is an exciting option and I have been extremely high on him since Single-A, but the depth past Melton is concerning. Adding a veteran on a multi-year deal would allow the Tigers to improve in 2026 while also have a guaranteed veteran heading into the future.

Two straight playoff runs where the Tigers needed starting pitching should shine a light on how serious of a need this is. It’s okay if Melton is not slotted into the first five because injuries will eventually get him in the rotation. Using players with options as high-end depth is a smart move.

Potential Free Agents: Ranger Suarez, Michael King, Zac Gallen // Jordan Montgomery, Chris Bassitt

The number one target on my list is Ranger Suarez. The 30 year-old lefty will likely command $22-$27 AAV with a four- or five-year deal, a number the Tigers need to be comfortable with if they want to be taken seriously. Suarez pitched to a 3.20 ERA and 3.21 FIP for the Phillies this season.

Suarez would add a much needed lefty to the rotation now, and through the potential post-Skubal era. He’s a sinkerballer with a 48% groundball rate which is a combo the Tigers have shown heavy interest in previously. Playoff experience, a six-pitch mix, and ability to miss barrels should age well making the deal a safer bet.

King would be the second on my list. Another sinkerballer who leans more into the strikeout profile than groundball profile, King posted a 3.44 ERA and 4.42 FIP across 15 starts with San Diego. He’s been productive throughout his career and although he only recently moved to the rotation, I think that helps keep his AAV from reaching outside of the Tigers range.

Gallen’s 2025 was not up to par with his previous years. A 4.83 ERA and 4.51 FIP were more than a run higher than his previous three years, but he’s been a durable pitcher with a high floor and top two upside, when he’s right. A risk worth taking.

Lastly, the two outliers: Jordan Montgomery and Chris Bassitt. These are the one-year deals we have seen the Tigers previously make that would make me upside, but wouldn’t shock me. Older arms would bring a veteran presence and can fill innings. Bassitt feels like he’s destined to be a Tiger while Montgomery is more of a roll of the dice as he works back from injury.

Again, I think the Tigers need to prioritize a multi-year deal, but I thought I should mention these names simply because none of us will be shocked if they go this route, unfortunately.

If you are looking for more on the Tarik Skubal discussion I outlined all the possibilities in this article.

Address Third Base

The Tigers have been looking for a third baseman for some time. Years, but it feels like decades. Although Colt Keith made more starts at third than second or first last season, I don’t think the Tigers want to make him the answer at third.

Zach McKinstry performed well in 2025, but I am still hesitant to make him a starter. I love the idea of McKinstry in a super utility role, which is the same for Matt Vierling. Oh yeah, Kevin McGonigle, baseball’s top prospect, plays into the discussion.

McGonigle has seen time at third in the minors but I think it is more likely he lands at short or second. I’d love for him to be the starter on Opening Day at short, but we’ll wait and see. Regardless, the Tigers cannot go into the season swapping Torres for McGonigle and doing nothing else for the infield.

The domino effect is too much to explain here, but getting McGonigle, Keith, and an addition at third into the lineup at once is easy.

Potential Free Agents: Alex Bregman, Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco

We are are again living in déjà vu going through the Alex Bregman discussions again. Not only is Bregman a great player, but he’s insanely consistent. A good defender at third, solid enough power, and a low strikeout rate. The strikeout rate in particular is something I think the Tigers will lean into heavily this offseason.

I’m not sure what to expect from the money and term Bregman will demand. Year one of that deal will be his age 32 season which means you are signing up for what is likely to be through the end of his career. I do think he’ll age well, but how much does he want to be in Detroit?

Bichette is not a typo. Yes, he’s a shortstop but also a horrible defender. Signing Bichette is part of the domino effect that would allow him to cosplay as a shortstop until the Tigers eventually move him to second or third. Personally, I’d move him off short immediately.

What he brings offensively is exactly what this team needs and wants. A ton of contact, average power, and a natural hitter that will only be 28 years old. The deal might be too rich and other teams, even the Blue Jays, are likely to have the upper hand. But, Bichette would do wonders for this lineup.

Polanco is a Plan B that offers a switch-hitter to the lineup on what would be a much lesser deal, both money and term, than the aforementioned names. We saw Polanco make changes this year which sliced his strikeout rate in half while also drawing walks at an above-average clip. His power is better than what the Tigers have to offer, but injury history, age, and defense are real concerns.

Potential Trade Targets: Brendan Donovan, Alec Bohm

There have been rumors than Brendan Donovan could be available this offseason and I’d think the Tigers would be very interested. One of the best bat-to-ball hitters in the league who can also play a number of positions? Right up their alley. The problem is he’s a left-handed bat and the Tigers have an inordinate amount of lefty bats already.

A name that will not get many excited, but feels like a Tigers move is Alec Bohm. A 29 year-old third baseman on the last year of team control who makes a lot of contact but doesn’t offer much power. Although his production is similar to other options on the roster, I have more faith in Bohm carrying a consistent floor than those options.

No, it’s not sexy. Those wishing for Eugenio Suarez would be greatly disappointed in Bohm. But, it is a low cost to acquire, high floor bat that adds a righty to the lineup and makes the team deeper. Not my first choice, but one I could see the Tigers make especially if they invest in the rotation/bullpen in a big way, relatively speaking.

Bullpen Arms

I want you to think about the number of bullpen arms this team should add this offseason. No matter what that number is, double it. Detroit is that desperate. I know this is a tone change from previous years where I more or less trusted the coaching staff and organization to find, or create, bullpen arms in any way they saw fit.

But, the Tigers are in a different tier now. We are no longer figuring out where this teams trajectory stands. We know they are a playoff team and the focus needs to be on advancing in the playoffs, not simply making it.

Almost all of their bullpen arms have minor league options. You can add without fear of a serious roster crunch exposing players to waiver. The additions do not need to be a bunch of surefire, expensive, and proven arms. You need some of those but also depth that surpass the talent level of Bailey Horn, Drew Sommers, and other options we saw last season.

I expect the Tigers to target arms with more swing and miss upside along with lefties that can help the depth past Tyler Holton and Brant Hurter.

Potential Free Agents: Ryan Helsley, Devin Williams, Phil Maton, Danny Coulombe, Hoby Milner

The list can be much longer but I’ll focus on these names for now. The two big names are Helsley and Williams, who each have experience closing games. Both have above average strikeout and groundball rates, tons of previous success, and are coming off down years.

Why target players off down years? Well, unfortunately I think the Tigers are the type of franchise that will have to target down years for bigger names. I think both options and adding either would immediately improve high-leverage situations and give the Tigers an arm with a track record they don’t have outside of Will Vest.

The other three are the typical mid-level relivers who can bounce around from team to team, not demand term, and are relatively safe bets. Maton has been consistent no matter where he pitches, has a high groundball rate, avoids hard contact, and still misses bats due to his variance in pitch movement. Sign me up.

You likely know Coulombe’s name from his time with the Twins and although he’s now 36 the production hasn’t dipped. Four straight years with a sub-3.00 ERA. Milner is an old school soft-tossing lefty with great command that racks up groundballs. A low cost option that could pay off.

Keep in mind, Chris Bassitt looked great out of the bullpen during Toronto’s playoff run. Signing him as a starter could make sense but I’d be very intrigued with the idea of him as a reliver.

Potential Trade Targets: Hogan Harris, Keegan Akin, JoJo Romero, Dauri Moreta, Andrew Nardi

Another list that could be much larger, but I wanted to focus on a few names who might not be on your radar. As you can tell, finding a lefty via trade is very possible. JoJo Romero has one year of control and the Cardinals, under their new GM, could look to shuffle the roster. A proven veteran from the left side? Happy to take that off your hands.

Akin, an Alma native and former Western Michigan University player, is more than just a cute connection. He’s a useful arm with enough stuff to rack up strikeouts but did struggle a bit last season. I’m not sure if Baltimore would be willing to move him but I’d like to find out.

Dauri Moreta has the energy that borders on crazy on the amount. An electric arm plus plus stuff and some control issues but should be available considering the Pirates situation.

Back Up Catcher

The breakout we saw from Dillion Dingler this year was huge for the organization. Yes, two of their top prospects are catchers but having a player show Gold Glove caliber defense while also posting a 109 wRC+ in his first full season gives the Tigers ease heading into the future.

Jake Rogers is set to make a bit north of $3 million in arbitration and is more likely than not to return as the back up catcher. The organization has praised him and how he handles the staff so a return would be no surprise. Tomas Nido was also brought back as the third option. So, why do I even address back up catcher?

Well, Rogers offensive production has been awful outside of one season. He’s not had the cleanest bill of health and my nightmare scenario is Dingler going down for an extended period of time and Rogers having to play more than I would like.

Is upgrading a back up catch a luxury? Yes, but one the Tigers can afford.

Potential Free Agents: Danny Jansen, Victor Caratini

Both of these options are more expensive than Rogers, worse defenders, but much better offensive options. As much as I’d love to put J.T. Realmuto here I think he’s going to land elsewhere for more money and playing time.

I’ll admit the Tigers have not shown anything that indicates they would rather have an offensive back up compared to a defensive one. I’m going out on a limb here because I think each of these players are better starting options than Rogers and Caratini, a switch-hitter and plus bat, could also back up first. If you cannot tell I’m terrified of a world where Dingler goes down.

Final Thoughts

Detroit is in a position they have not been in since the early 2010s. A true contender that needs to make a more aggressive push but not quite in the “all in” category. I don’t think they need to trade off their top prospects just yet, but they cannot roll out a similar team to last season.

Luckily, the Tigers do not have a ton of money locked up long term. They do not have an excuse to hold back (financially), especially with Skubal not extended. They can add one, even two, $20+ million AAV players without having to sacrifice much.

Will they? Time will tell. This winter is a big one for Detroit. We will see if Scott Harris and Co. are willing to play in the same sandbox as many of the teams who made the playoffs. A statement is going to be made either for the better or for worse.