Tigers' Offseason Stalls as Miguel Andujar Emerges as a Sensible Fit
When the Tigers bowed out of the 2025 postseason, Scott Harris didn’t mince words: Detroit had a swing-and-miss problem. The offense, while occasionally electric, lacked consistency and contact.
Naturally, fans expected the front office to address that flaw with meaningful additions. But here we are, closing in on spring training, and the only offensive move on the books is Gleyber Torres accepting the qualifying offer to return for one more year.
That’s it. That’s the list.
As of now, the Tigers’ projected 2026 Opening Day lineup looks nearly identical to last year’s. And while continuity can be a good thing, it’s hard to ignore the feeling that Detroit’s offseason has been more about standing still than stepping forward.
But all is not lost - at least not yet. There are still free agents on the market who could help this team without blowing up the budget.
One name starting to generate some buzz is Miguel Andujar, a utility man whose bat came alive in 2025. According to reports, teams like the Rangers, Padres, Cardinals, Reds, Cubs, and A’s are all circling.
The Tigers haven’t been linked publicly, but frankly, they should be in that mix.
Andujar is the type of player who checks multiple boxes for Detroit. He brings versatility, with experience in both the outfield and at third base - two areas where the Tigers have quietly shed depth this winter.
Akil Baddoo, Ryan Kreidler, Ryan Vilade, and Justyn-Henry Malloy are all gone. Third base remains a revolving door.
Andujar wouldn’t solve everything, but he could provide a steady presence in a couple of key spots.
More importantly, he’s coming off a quietly impressive season. In 60 games with the A’s, Andujar hit .298 with a .765 OPS.
After a midseason trade to the Reds, he took it up a notch, slashing .359 with a .944 OPS over 34 games. That surge gave him a batting run value in the 66th percentile - well above league average.
He didn’t just flash; he produced.
And yet, because of his journeyman status and relatively small sample size, Andujar isn’t expected to command a major payday. He made $3 million last year, and even with his strong finish, he likely won’t cost much more in 2026. For a Tigers team that’s been reluctant to spend big, that should be appealing.
Let’s be clear: Andujar isn’t the star name Tigers fans were dreaming about earlier in the offseason. There were whispers - maybe even hopes - of a splashy move for someone like Kyle Schwarber or Cody Bellinger.
That dream has faded. But Detroit still needs to show something for this winter.
Signing Andujar wouldn’t make headlines, but it would be a tangible step - a sign that the front office is at least trying to address the offensive void.
At this point, doing something - anything - to improve the lineup would go a long way. And if that something is a low-risk, potentially high-reward bat like Miguel Andujar, it might just be the kind of move that helps Detroit stay competitive while keeping its long-term plans intact.