The Detroit Tigers made a great playoff run after faltering in the last leg of the regular season, but it still doesn’t change their big problem: they potentially only have one year left with their Cy Young, Tarik Skubal.
They need to make a splash this offseason for a final World Series push with Skubal, but also to find his potential replacement as leader of the team. Fansided’s Christopher Kline believes three-time All-Star and former MVP candidate Fernando Tatis Jr. Fits the bill.
“After a spirited effort to sign Alex Bregman last offseason, the Detroit Tigers are probably back in the market for a needle-moving bat. Tarik Skubal looms large over every move the Tigers make, but really no matter how that situation breaks, Detroit should find the motivation to at least consider Tatis at what is, by any 2025 standard, a discounted annual salary (for now...). If Skubal gets dealt, that's just more financial freedom to take on Tatis. If he sticks around in a walk year, Detroit needs to push its chips in before Skubal leaves. If by some miracle he signs an extension, that's all the more reason to put the "small market" criticisms to bed and give Skubal major offensive support for years to come,” Kline wrote.
This past season, Tatis hit.268/.368/.446/.814, with 27 doubles, 25 home runs, 71 RBI, and 32 stolen bases in 155 games. He would finally provide the run support Skubal desperately needs, and would be a great defensive presence for him as well.
And, if Skubal does leave, the Tigers would still have a face of the franchise to build around. Tatis is under contract until 2034, so the Tigers would have a great deal of time to build a contender around him.
If the Tigers are smart, they’ll start calling the San Diego Padres right away. If Detroit can make a splash early and show they’re committed to winning, who knows, Skubal may be convinced to stay.
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