The Detroit Tigers are making it clear this offseason: last year’s near-miss in October isn’t going to be good enough in 2026. They’re not just reloading-they’re reshaping the roster with purpose, and the latest developments show a front office that’s both aggressive and calculated.
Let’s start with the biggest headline: Tarik Skubal, the Tigers’ ace and one of the most electric left-handers in the game, just won his arbitration case in historic fashion. He’ll earn $32 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility-a record-setting number that could reshape how elite starters with five-plus years of MLB service are valued going forward. That’s not just a win for Skubal-it’s a potential shift in the market for pitchers across the league.
For Detroit, it’s a signal that they’re all-in on Skubal, at least for now. He’s the kind of arm you build a postseason rotation around, and the Tigers are clearly treating him like it. Whether this payday helps keep him in Detroit beyond 2026 remains to be seen, but it certainly raises the stakes for the season ahead.
And speaking of raising the stakes, the Tigers didn’t stop with Skubal. They went out and landed one of the top free agent arms on the market: Framber Valdez.
The lefty agreed to a three-year, $115 million deal, giving Detroit another frontline starter with playoff experience and a proven track record. Valdez brings a unique blend of durability and swing-and-miss stuff, and pairing him with Skubal gives the Tigers a left-handed one-two punch that few teams can match.
This isn’t just about adding talent-it’s about building a staff that can carry them deep into October. Valdez has been there.
Skubal wants to get back. And the Tigers are betting that this duo can lead the charge.
But there’s still one more move being floated that could take this rotation from impressive to downright intimidating.
Veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt is being linked to Detroit, and there’s logic to the fit. After being left off the Blue Jays' playoff roster until the ALCS, Bassitt came back with something to prove-and delivered.
He allowed just one run over 8 2/3 innings out of the bullpen, striking out 10 and walking only two. That kind of versatility-starter, reliever, swingman-is gold for a team with postseason aspirations.
Bassitt isn’t just a depth piece. He’s a steady, experienced arm who knows how to navigate a lineup and eat innings.
For a Tigers team looking to solidify its rotation and add leadership to a still-young clubhouse, he checks a lot of boxes. And if they do pull the trigger on Bassitt, Detroit could legitimately field one of the deepest and most balanced rotations in the American League.
The AL Central has been wide open in recent years, but if the Tigers keep making moves like this, they could slam that window shut for the rest of the division. Add in a healthy lineup and some internal development, and Detroit’s not just looking to get back to the playoffs-they’re aiming to finish what they started last fall.
Skubal’s arbitration win, Valdez’s arrival, and the potential addition of Bassitt all point to one thing: the Tigers are done waiting. They’re building a team that expects to contend, and they’re doing it with arms that can dominate in October.