Tigers predicted to reunite with future Hall of Fame ace after eight years apart

Matt Sullivan

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Tigers predicted to reunite with future Hall of Fame ace after eight years apart image

The Detroit Tigers have a lot of eyes on them this offseason, as teams ponder what it would take to trade for Tarik Skubal.

But the Tigers don't seem inclined to move him for anything other than a king's ransom. If Skubal stays, then building a contending roster for 2026 is the only path forward.

ESPN's Eric Karabell predicts that the Tigers, in building a contender, will reunite with a future Hall of Fame ace after eight seasons apart. The Tigers and Justin Verlander could link up one last time to potentially close out his career.

Tigers predicted to sign Justin Verlander

"Justin Verlander returns to the Detroit Tigers," Karabell writes. "The Tigers would surely make room in their rotation for this future Hall of Famer..."

Adding Verlander to the rotation wouldn't just be a move to spark fan interest. He could provide some quality innings for the Tigers in 2026.

Last season for the San Francisco Giants, while he didn't put up as great of numbers as he's done before, he still had a 3.85 ERA in 29 starts.

More: Tigers' Tarik Skubal gets $32 million contract update from ESPN's Jeff Passan

Verlander will be 43 this upcoming season, and while he might not reach 300 wins (he has 266 right now), he could further add to the incredible numbers of his future Hall of Fame career.

Despite his age and his 20 years in the Major Leagues, Verlander is still above a league-average pitcher. He had a 103 ERA+ in 2025 and is worth adding to the Tigers' rotation.

Verlander returning to Detroit would be a fun outcome for both sides this offseason, as the Tigers are capable of contending, and seeing Verlander pitch alongside Skubal could make for a fun comparison of legends of today and years past.

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Senior Editor