The Detroit Tigers have made waves this offseason, and fans have every reason to be excited. Despite speculation about whether they would trade their ace, Tarik Skubal, the Tigers have not only retained him but also strengthened their pitching arsenal.
In a bold move, Detroit signed Framber Valdez to a three-year, $115 million contract, adding serious firepower to their rotation. But the excitement didn’t stop there. The Tigers welcomed back a familiar face, Justin Verlander, on a one-year, $13 million deal, rekindling memories of his early days in Detroit.
This revamped rotation is set to make some noise in the 2026 season. With Skubal, Valdez, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize, and Verlander, opposing teams will have their work cut out for them. If Flaherty can find his form, Detroit's rotation could be among the best in baseball.
And it’s not just the starting rotation that’s turning heads. The Tigers also secured Kensley Jansen, adding depth to their bullpen and further solidifying their pitching staff.
According to Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly, the Tigers are poised to build on last season's 87 wins, despite potential challenges within their division. "Somehow, the Cleveland Guardians will probably end up pushing them. But with a strong offseason in terms of adding pitching, the Tigers should improve on their 87-85 record from a season ago."
If Detroit can capitalize on these offseason moves, a postseason berth seems well within reach. With their bolstered rotation, they could be a formidable opponent come October.