As the Detroit Tigers gear up for the 2026 season, fans are holding their breath, hoping to avoid the bullpen woes that plagued them in 2025. Last year's second-half collapse was a vivid reminder of the bullpen's struggles, and while GM Scott Harris focused heavily on this area, the results were less than stellar.
Heading into this season, the Tigers' offseason moves, like re-signing Kyle Finnegan and bringing in Kenley Jansen, offer some hope but not absolute confidence. The bullpen projections remain a mixed bag, raising doubts about whether Detroit has truly bolstered its relief corps.
Let's dive into the ZiPS projections for the Tigers' relievers and explore what they might mean for the upcoming season:
- Kenley Jansen: Projected ERA of 4.15
- Will Vest: Projected ERA of 3.32
- Kyle Finnegan: Projected ERA of 4.08
- Tyler Holton: Projected ERA of 3.59
- Drew Anderson: Projected ERA of 4.15
- Brant Hurter: Projected ERA of 3.89
- Connor Seabold: Projected ERA of 4.88
- Enmanuel De Jesus: Projected ERA of 5.59
There are glimmers of hope with players like Will Vest, Brant Hurter, and Tyler Holton, who are projected to have respectable seasons. While none of them is expected to be a breakout star, they could become reliable pieces for the future. Vest, in particular, shows potential to be a key contributor.
The real concern lies with veterans Jansen and Finnegan. Jansen, on the brink of his 500th save, is still fighting to solidify his Hall of Fame credentials. Despite a decent 2.59 ERA last year, his strikeout rate has dropped significantly, and his advanced metrics suggest he might be running out of steam.
Finnegan, on the other hand, faces a projected ERA that could be the worst of his career. His history of outperforming his peripherals might catch up with him this season, potentially leading to another shaky bullpen situation.
The rest of the bullpen is filled with uncertainty. Enmanuel De Jesus impressed during spring training, but relying on a small sample size can be risky. Meanwhile, the late addition of Connor Seabold raises questions about the depth and reliability of the roster.
Overall, the Tigers’ bullpen appears to be a mix of declining veterans, hopeful prospects, and unproven talent. If these projections hold true, Detroit might find itself in a familiar predicament, wishing for more aggressive offseason moves from Harris. As the season unfolds, the bullpen's performance will be crucial in determining whether the Tigers can turn the page on last year's disappointments.