Three Tigers Who Survived the Non-Tender Deadline-But Might Not Be Around Much Longer
The non-tender deadline has come and gone, and while the Detroit Tigers didn’t make any seismic moves, the roster decisions they did make could be setting the stage for some notable shakeups. A few players on the bubble survived-at least for now-but with Detroit’s front office eyeing both free-agent upgrades and a pipeline of top prospects ready for their shot, the clock could be ticking on some familiar faces.
President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris hasn’t tipped his hand just yet when it comes to free agency, but the writing is on the wall: this roster is far from a finished product. The Tigers have needs-at the plate, in the bullpen, and potentially in the rotation-and they’ve got prospects who need room to grow. That combination makes certain players prime candidates to be moved, whether in minor trades to clear space or as part of bigger deals to address key holes.
Let’s take a closer look at three names who made it through the non-tender deadline but could still be on the move before Opening Day.
Parker Meadows: The Clock Is Ticking
There’s no denying Parker Meadows’ athleticism. The 26-year-old center fielder has shown flashes-like his electric return from the injured list on September 6-that remind you why he was once a top prospect in the system. But those moments have been too few and far between.
Injuries have been a recurring theme, limiting Meadows to just 58 games in 2025. And when he was on the field, the production didn’t match the promise. A 75 wRC+ and a 31.3% strikeout rate in the postseason paint a picture of a player still struggling to find consistency at the plate.
The bigger picture? The Tigers have reinforcements coming.
Max Clark, the No. 8 overall prospect in baseball, is knocking on the door. And if Detroit decides to get aggressive in free agency-say, by making a run at someone like Cody Bellinger-Meadows could quickly find himself on the outside looking in.
Still, there’s value here. Meadows has four years of team control left and hasn’t even hit arbitration yet.
For a rebuilding team willing to bet on his upside and durability, he could be a low-risk, high-reward addition. Detroit, meanwhile, might see this as an opportunity to flip a crowded-outfield piece for help elsewhere.
Beau Brieske: A Versatile Arm With Uncertain Standing
Beau Brieske looked like a key piece of the Tigers’ bullpen puzzle in 2024, posting a 3.59 ERA over 46 appearances-including a dozen starts. But 2025 was a different story. His ERA ballooned to 6.55, plagued by rising walk and home run rates, before a forearm injury shut him down.
The Tigers chose to hold onto Brieske while cutting ties with Jason Foley, a more established bullpen arm. That decision raised a few eyebrows-and might say more about future plans than current confidence.
Detroit’s bullpen is in flux. They need upgrades, and they’ve got other arms who can fill Brieske’s swingman role.
That makes him a potential trade chip, especially if he gets a clean bill of health this offseason. His versatility-starting, long relief, middle innings-adds appeal, even if his 2025 numbers don’t.
If the Tigers can land a more reliable reliever or simply need to clear a 40-man spot for a younger arm, Brieske could be moved in a low-key deal that helps both sides.
Colt Keith: Too Talented to Cut, but Not Too Valuable to Trade
Let’s be clear: Colt Keith was never in danger of being non-tendered. The 24-year-old infielder has shown real flashes of offensive potential and is on a team-friendly contract-$19.33 million over the next four years, with club options after that. But that doesn’t mean his spot is secure.
Keith was originally expected to shift to first base to accommodate Gleyber Torres, but then Spencer Torkelson’s bat woke up and locked down that position. Keith tried to make things work at third, but his arm strength didn’t quite hold up there, either. Now, with Torres back on a qualifying offer and a wave of infield prospects-Kevin McGonigle, Max Anderson, and Hao-Yu Lee-pushing for MLB time, Keith could be feeling the roster squeeze.
There’s also the looming possibility of Detroit pursuing a big-name free agent like Alex Bregman, and the fact that utility guys like Zach McKinstry and Javier Báez can fill gaps across the infield. Add it all up, and Keith might be the odd man out-not because he’s not good enough, but because the roster puzzle might not have a clear spot for him.
That makes him a fascinating trade chip. His age, contract, and offensive upside could make him a key piece in a deal for a frontline starter to pair with Tarik Skubal, a power bat to lengthen the lineup, or even a high-leverage reliever to anchor the bullpen. The Tigers don’t have to move him-but if the right deal comes along, it could solve more than one problem at once.
What Comes Next
The Tigers are entering a crucial phase in their rebuild-to-contender transition. They’ve got a budding ace in Skubal, a core of young talent, and a front office that isn’t afraid to make bold moves. But to take the next step, they’ll need to make tough decisions-and that likely means saying goodbye to some familiar faces.
Whether it’s flipping Meadows for a lottery ticket, moving Brieske to clear a bullpen logjam, or cashing in on Keith’s upside to address a bigger need, don’t be surprised if Detroit’s next moves come via trade. The pieces are there. Now it’s about putting the puzzle together.