The Detroit Tigers have been a hot topic this offseason, and not just because of the swirling trade rumors around ace Tarik Skubal. While much of the spotlight has centered on whether Detroit might part with its top arm, the front office has been quietly working the other side of the equation-looking to add to the rotation, not just subtract.
According to reports, the Tigers have expressed interest in a trio of veteran free-agent starters: right-handers Chris Bassitt and Nick Martinez, along with left-hander José Quintana. None of the three are marquee names in this year’s pitching market-this isn’t about chasing the likes of Zac Gallen or Framber Valdez-but they’re all experienced arms who could bring real value to a rotation that needs depth and durability.
Let’s break it down.
José Quintana, at 36, is coming off a solid 2025 campaign with the Milwaukee Brewers, posting a 3.96 ERA. He’s not the dominant force he once was in his early White Sox days, but he’s reinvented himself as a reliable, innings-eating lefty who can still navigate lineups effectively with a mix of savvy and command. For a Tigers team that could use a veteran presence and a left-handed look in the rotation, Quintana checks a lot of boxes.
Chris Bassitt, also 36, mirrored Quintana’s 3.96 ERA last season, doing so in the AL East with the Toronto Blue Jays. Bassitt’s value lies in his pitch mix and ability to adjust on the fly.
He’s the kind of guy who can give you six innings of competitive baseball more often than not-he’s not flashy, but he’s consistent. And that’s exactly what Detroit needs if they want to make it through a long season with stability in the middle of their rotation.
Then there’s Nick Martinez, the youngest of the group at 35. He had a rockier 2025, finishing with a 4.45 ERA, but he’s shown versatility throughout his career-capable of starting, relieving, and handling high-leverage spots when needed. That kind of flexibility could be especially useful if the Tigers want to manage innings for younger arms or navigate injuries during the grind of the season.
What’s clear is that Detroit isn’t swinging for the fences here-they’re looking for smart, steady additions who can eat innings, mentor younger pitchers, and keep the team competitive deep into the summer. Whether or not Skubal stays, the Tigers know they need more than one or two dependable arms to make it through 162 games. These three veterans offer exactly that: durability, experience, and the ability to keep a team in ballgames.
It’s not the kind of move that grabs headlines, but it’s the type that can quietly shape a season. If Detroit lands one of these guys, it won’t be a blockbuster-but it might just be the kind of under-the-radar signing that pays off when the dog days of August roll around.