Tigers urged to bring in a difference-maker before it's too late

Jared Bloom

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Tigers urged to bring in a difference-maker before it's too late image

The Detroit Tigers have been a team that has positioned itself rather well over the last two seasons. They broke their nine-year playoff drought in 2024 and followed that up with another postseason appearance last year. 

To stay in postseason contention in 2026, the front office has been hard at work. They have been able to bolster the bullpen by re-signing Kyle Finnegan and striking a deal with Kenley Jansen, but that is not all. 

They were able to retain both Gleyber Torres and Jack Flaherty for the 2026 season, making those two fewer holes Detroit has to worry about. 

MORE: Tarik Skubal's $32 million contract demand might lead to Tigers trade

Tigers urged to bring in a difference-maker before it's too late

Despite filling some necessary holes, Detroit could still use help filling some other holes. While they have some prospects waiting in the wings, they could use another starting pitcher and an impact right-handed bat, but time is starting to run out.

With these holes, ESPN ranks the Tigers as the 10th-best club at this point in the offseason. 

"The offense could use a splash or two. Sure, Detroit has some high-level position prospects creeping up on the majors and you don't want to block those opportunities, but there is plenty of space for a middle-of-the-lineup anchor. Thats true of both the depth chart and the payroll. Bellinger or Tucker would be the best fit, but Detroit could use any of the top available hitters."

Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker still sit on the open market at this point in the offseason. However, with Alex Bregman signing recently, Detroit will not want to wait around to see how long these two will be on the open market. Outside of those two, Detroit could take a look at who could be had through a trade, but that should be viewed as the final option.

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