The Detroit Tigers are heading into a pivotal offseason with the AL Central crown in their back pocket and a roster full of tough decisions. While much of the buzz has centered around ace Tarik Skubal and whether Detroit will deal him while his value is sky-high, there’s another name that deserves just as much attention in trade talks - Spencer Torkelson.
Let’s be clear: Torkelson isn’t a player you move lightly. He’s coming off a season where he launched 31 home runs, drove in 78 runs, and crossed the plate 82 times in 155 games.
That kind of power production doesn’t grow on trees, especially from a 24-year-old former No. 1 overall pick. But the Tigers are in a complicated spot.
They’re trying to stay competitive in a division they just won, while also building a roster that can do more than just make it to Game 5 of the ALDS.
And that’s where Torkelson’s name starts to come up.
His regular season was solid - a .240 average, .333 OBP, .456 slugging - and he showed real growth at the plate, collecting 27 doubles and drawing 72 walks. Yes, the 169 strikeouts stand out, but that's the trade-off with many modern power bats. What matters is that he was a consistent force in the lineup from April through September.
But October told a different story.
In eight postseason games, Torkelson hit just .188. He didn’t leave the yard once, drove in six runs, and struck out 11 times.
His slugging percentage dipped to .281. And in Game 5 against Seattle - the one that sent Detroit packing - he went 0-for-6 with four strikeouts.
That’s the kind of performance that leaves a mark, especially when your offense musters just two runs in an elimination game.
Now, no one’s saying one bad series erases a good season. But it does raise a question: if Torkelson’s value is high now, and the Tigers have a bit of a positional traffic jam, is this the right time to make a move?
Detroit’s roster construction is at a bit of a crossroads. Torkelson is a power-first first baseman.
But Colt Keith - a versatile bat who can play first, second, or DH - needs consistent at-bats to develop. Kerry Carpenter, once a corner outfielder, now looks locked into a DH role.
And Parker Meadows is one of several young outfielders who’ll need regular playing time. Something’s got to give.
Meanwhile, the rotation behind Skubal is thin. Skubal did everything you could ask of a frontline starter - 13-6 with a 2.21 ERA - and he looked every bit the ace Detroit needs.
But the rest of the staff had its ups and downs. Jack Flaherty struggled to find consistency, finishing 8-15 with a 4.64 ERA.
Casey Mize started strong but faded late, ending with a 14-6 record and a 3.87 ERA. Keider Montero (5-3, 4.37 ERA) and Reese Olson (4-4, 3.15 ERA) showed flashes, but there’s no question this group needs reinforcements.
That’s where a potential Torkelson trade could come into play. Packaging him for a controllable, mid-rotation arm - or a young arm with upside - would help balance the roster and open up space for Keith and others. It’s not about giving up on Torkelson; it’s about maximizing value at the right time.
Of course, everything starts with Skubal. If the Tigers decide to keep their ace and build the rotation around him, they’ll need to find creative ways to bolster the rest of the staff. And Torkelson, for all his upside, might be the most attractive trade chip they have outside of Skubal himself.
For now, Torkelson remains in the fold, and there’s every chance he’s in the Opening Day lineup come spring. But the Tigers know how quickly things can change in this league. If the right offer comes across the table - one that helps Detroit stay in the playoff hunt while building for the long haul - they’ll have to consider it.
The Tigers aren’t in teardown mode. They’re in fine-tune mode.
And in that kind of offseason, tough choices often lead to bold moves. Torkelson might just be the next one.