The Detroit Tigers’ offseason has been defined by a delicate balancing act - staying competitive in the near term while keeping the long view in focus. And as spring training inches closer, one question still looms large: are the Tigers done making moves, or is another domino about to fall?
Much of the buzz so far has centered around lefty ace Tarik Skubal, but there’s another name gaining traction in league circles - one that carries weight not just because of the player’s past, but because of the contract tied to him. That name is Javier Báez.
According to league insiders, Báez has been labeled “definitely available” in trade talks, and it’s not hard to see why. The 33-year-old shortstop is owed $24 million in both 2026 and 2027, and the production simply hasn’t matched the paycheck. Since joining Detroit, Báez has posted a .626 OPS with just 44 home runs over four seasons - numbers that fall well short of expectations for a player once known for his electric bat and Gold Glove-caliber defense.
To be clear, moving Báez won’t be easy. That contract is a tough one to move, especially for a shortstop who hasn’t shown consistent offensive value in recent years. But in an offseason that’s already featured some hard decisions, the Tigers may see this as another one worth exploring - especially if it helps them open up payroll flexibility or create space for younger talent.
Detroit’s front office isn’t rushing anything - they’ve made that clear. But they’re also not ignoring the reality of the situation.
This is a team trying to thread the needle: stay competitive in a winnable division while also building a roster that can sustain success beyond just one season. And that means taking a hard look at contracts that no longer align with on-field performance.
While the Báez situation simmers, the Tigers continue to be active on another front: international scouting. Detroit has added three more international amateur free agents to their 2026 signing class, further bolstering a pipeline that’s already seen plenty of action since the signing period opened on January 15.
The latest additions - catcher Yojan Coronel, infielder Steve Gutierrez, and outfielder/infielder Edwinyer Martinez, all from Venezuela - join a growing list of international prospects that includes high-upside names like Manuel Bolivar, Oscar Tineo, and Randy Santana. Several of those players signed for seven-figure bonuses, signaling Detroit’s commitment to building from the ground up.
These newest signings may not be headliners just yet, but they represent the kind of long-term investment that can pay off in a big way down the road. In today’s MLB landscape, international scouting is no longer just a supplemental strategy - it’s a core part of roster building. And the Tigers are leaning into that reality in a big way.
So while the big-league roster decisions - including what happens with Báez - will dominate headlines in the short term, don’t overlook what Detroit is doing on the international front. The Tigers are playing the long game, and these moves are a reminder that the real payoff might still be a few years away.