The Detroit Tigers have finally made some noise this offseason, just in time for spring training. They're making headlines by securing Framber Valdez on a three-year deal and providing a potential swan song for Justin Verlander. Add Tarik Skubal into the mix, and you've got a rotation that’s starting to look formidable.
This revamped rotation is a far cry from the days when fans were left scratching their heads over Drew Anderson's role. No shade on Anderson, but for a team that was a whisker away from the ALCS, his return from the KBO didn’t exactly scream "upgrade." Now, any positive contribution from Anderson is just icing on the cake for Detroit.
Scott Harris has clearly been busy, and the Tigers' pitching staff looks significantly stronger than it did at the close of the 2025 season. However, there's an elephant in the room: the offense. Last season, the Tigers' bats went cold at the worst possible time, leaving them high and dry in September and October.
It seems Detroit is banking on internal solutions rather than external upgrades to fix their offensive woes. Gleyber Torres is back at second base, sticking with the team after accepting a qualifying offer.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on Kevin McGonigle, whose rise through the farm system has been nothing short of electric. The hope is that he can inject some much-needed life into the lineup.
But relying on a rookie, even one as promising as McGonigle, is a gamble. The Tigers also need Zach McKinstry to maintain his All-Star form and for Javier Baez to find his groove again. Baez’s second-half slump last year, with a wRC+ of just 46, was a concern.
Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter offer some stability, but the lineup is crying out for another proven bat. While the Tigers' pitching might be able to carry them through some tough spots, it won't matter much if they can't put runs on the board. The Tigers have made strides, but their postseason dreams might hinge on finding that missing offensive spark.