The Tigers are heading into an offseason with a few familiar names ready to hit the market, and Spotrac has put dollar figures on what each one could bring.
Detroit is coming off a 76-86 season that left it fourth in the AL Central and out of the postseason, so the front office has work to do. President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris addressed that at his end-of-season press conference, making it clear the Tigers plan to be active - just not necessarily in the splashy way some fans might expect. The club wants to build internally and dip into free agency when a move actually helps move the chains.
That matters now because several Tigers are set for free agency once the World Series ends. The biggest name in the group is Gleyber Torres, who took Detroit’s qualifying offer for the 2026 season. After two seasons with the Tigers, he’s likely to test free agency again, which would be the second time in his career, not counting 2025.
Torres turns 30 this winter, and Spotrac pegs him for the kind of multi-year deal that usually comes with that age and profile. The projected price tag: $18.2 million per year. In two seasons in Detroit, Torres posted a 5.0 WAR, hit .257, and finished with 24 home runs and 112 RBIs.
Jack Flaherty is another Tiger on his way to the open market after three seasons in Detroit. His time with the team has had its swings, but he played a major role in helping get the pitching staff back on track, especially with what he did in the first half of 2024.
He also settled in down the stretch, before and after his injury return. As clubs look at him, they’ll see the same thing they always do with Flaherty: plenty of strikeouts, but a pitcher who can also get hit around.
Spotrac projects him at $15.2 million per season.
The bullpen side of things includes two more veterans with uncertain futures. Tyler Kinley, 35, delivered a strong short run for Detroit, working to a 1.84 ERA in 15 games.
He was effective when needed, but the Tigers’ bullpen situation doesn’t really lend itself to bringing back an older arm like that. Spotrac values him at $5.7 million this offseason, up from his $2 million salary in 2026.
Burch Smith is in a similar spot, though his case includes injury complications. The Tigers should probably look elsewhere, but his production in 2026 before landing on the injured list could still earn him another contract somewhere. Nearly 37, Smith carries a projected market value of $1.7 million, assuming he doesn’t retire.
Detroit also has two club options to sort out five days after the World Series. Drew Anderson would make $10 million in 2027 if the Tigers pick him up, while Kenley Jansen would make $12 million in 2027. If those options are declined, Spotrac lists Anderson at one year, $9.6 million, and Jansen at one year, $6 million.
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