The Tigers’ bullpen could look a whole lot different by 2027, and that’s not a bad thing for a front office that appears headed into another reset.
Detroit’s relief group has been one of the clearest weak spots this season, and the fix is obvious enough: go shopping. Free-agent relievers are on the market, and the Tigers’ payroll is projected to drop to $85 million after the season, giving Scott Harris and company room to add more than one arm without getting reckless. They do not need to chase a Dodgers-style splash, but they should have the flexibility to bring in multiple dependable relievers.
At the same time, the Tigers may not have to build the whole thing from scratch. There are internal names that could help fill out the picture, with players like Casey Mize return Jackson Wolf and knuckleballer Kenny Serwa offering possible help from the farm. Those options are meant to supplement outside additions, not replace them, but they matter in a bullpen that needs a reset.
One big change is already baked in: Kenley Jansen is leaving in free agency after this season, which means the Tigers will need a new closer. Tyler Kinley is the only other guaranteed departure. If Detroit keeps only Will Vest, Tyler Holton, Drew Sommers, and Kyle Finnegan - though the club really should think about non-tendering Finnegan - that still leaves a lot of room to reshape the relief corps.
In that scenario, five bullpen spots are open, or four if Drew Anderson or Keider Montero gets pushed back into the rotation once River Ryan arrives in the majors.
That’s where the farm system starts to matter. Andrew Sears should be in the mix for a spring training roster spot, and Wolf belongs in that conversation too. He was the less impressive piece in the Mize return, but he has been sharper since reaching Toledo, posting a 1.59 ERA across four Triple-A starts and five appearances.
Serwa is a little further behind after his recent promotion to Triple-A. As with any knuckleballer, there’s a level of unpredictability there, so the Tigers will want to keep close tabs on him. Still, he could become part of the conversation later in 2027.
Put it all together and the Tigers could be looking at Vest, Holton, Sommers, Finnegan, Anderson and/or Montero, Sears, Wolf, and room for two free-agent additions. That gives Detroit a chance to rebuild the bullpen with a mix of outside help and cheaper internal pieces, which is about as clean a path as a team can ask for after a rough year. The only question now is whether they actually spend those savings.
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Tigers Have A First Base Decision They Cant Dodge Much Longer
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An offseason decision is looming, and it will likely force Detroit to choose a direction rather than keep juggling the two. Trading one of them, with Keith emerging as the likeliest candidate in some evaluations, could help settle the issue and give the Tigers a clearer path as they think about future production and how to reshape the roster around their infield depth. [Read more 🡒]
Justin Verlander Return Suddenly Feels In Play For Detroit
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Jack Flaherty is also working his way back from injury and could still surface in relief before the season ends, giving Detroit at least a bit of late pitching depth to monitor. The Tigers, meanwhile, already know they will not get outfielder Wenceel Prez back this year because of the eye injury that shut him down, so any late-season additions on the mound would carry extra weight as the roster heads into the final stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Zyhir Hope Just Got A Chance Tigers Fans Should Watch Closely
Zyhir Hope is getting a fresh stage this fall, and it is the kind of assignment that can say a lot about where a young hitter stands in his development. The 21-year-old outfielder, acquired by the Tigers in the trade with the Dodgers, is headed to the Scottsdale Scorpions in the 2026 Arizona Fall League after finishing the regular season with Double-A Erie, giving Detroit another look at one of its more intriguing upper-level prospects.
Hope has already built a reputation as one of the organizations better all-around talent bets, with power, speed and plate discipline all part of the appeal. Rafael Neda will manage Scottsdale this fall, and while the Tigers have not yet announced any other Fall League additions, Hopes inclusion is the one that should draw the most attention from fans who are tracking the next wave of help. [Read more 🡒]