‘26 Starting Rotation

[4hzglory]

13 minutes ago, ToledoBrian said:

I agree with this to a large extent, Greene(LF), Dingler(C), Keith(2B), Carpenter(DH) & Meadows (CF) especially for defense/speed.  Hopefully we see Anderson / Lee or FA upgrade at 3B.  I don't mind another year of Tork, especially as mentioned with the ABS system next year.  Still uncertain about Bregman playing half his games at Tiger Field of 5/3 Park...  I can see Verlander as our #4 starter doing at least as well as what we have now for sure.  So, a big RH RF bat, a starter & relief help to add.  I'm looking forward to McGonigle & Clark starting for my Mud Hens until the All Star break before they move up to Detroit next year, and healthy seasons from Olson, Madden & Dylan Smith next year.

I think it's more likely Keith is at 3B next year as he seemed to handle it well this year and there are more 2B options internally (if Torres isn't back).  Anderson/Lee would both be better 2B options than 3rd.

[Tiger337]

13 hours ago, Tenacious D said:

Have to upgrade the offense somewhere. Greene (LF), Dingler (C), Keith (2B), Carpenter (RF/DH) seem fairly safe bets.  I would guess that Baez (SS) is safe, too, until McGonigle is ready.  I doubt they would upgrade there.  I’d put Tork (1B) and Meadows (CF) as likely, but vulnerable to an external upgrade.  The obvious positions to upgrade and bring in new talent are 3B and RF/DH, again.

Also, probably a good reason that we held on to our position prospects who could be banging on the door next season, including Malloy, Jung, Anderson and Lee.

Will Harris largely run back this combination of options or seek other help? 

I don't think that Torkelson will ever be an impact player, but he hits left handers which is something they already need.  Losing him and Torres is going to make them even more vulnerable vs LHP.  

Edited October 10 by Tiger337

[Nate7474]

1 hour ago, Tiger337 said:

I don't think that Torkelson will ever be an impact player, but he hits left handers which is something they already need.  Losing him and Torres is going to make them even more vulnerable vs LHP.  

I don’t get the dislike for Tork that I read and hear so often.  To me on the eye test defensively he’s be good for us. Seems to be pretty good and picking the ball and has good footwork around the bag. Good enough arm and makes good decisions defensively. Offensively he’s always going to be a lower average guy imo but he works the count and although I think he could stand to be more aggressive I think he will benefit the most from being able to challenge pitches. Power numbers are good and he hits a lot of doubles. Also seems to be a good clubhouse guy that’s well liked. 

Sure he isn’t going to be the #1 pick we all had hoped for but I also think he’s one of the least of our worries on this team. 

[HugoD]

A lot of interesting thoughts on 2026, and fair points made on all sides.  Some thoughts on the topics discussed so far:

1. I'm kind of in the camp of "why trade Mize?".  He's an above average ML SP and, as mentioned, still cost-controlled.  Maybe there's a trade scenario in which the Tigers improve their roster, but I think unlikely.  Also, I'm totally in favor of having analytics based decision making (hell, it's part of my job), but the body language Casey showed Thursday night was more comforting to me than I've seen from him. I think that means something wrt long term performance.  On that note, Melton looks very poised!

2. I agree that Tork has become a "glue" guy, for lack of a better term.  I also agree that ABS will benefit him.  Glove work has improved, though not sure what the numbers say about that.

3. JHM is a 4A guy.

4. Jones has been super effective in his role.  Not sure if sustainable, but he has really come though numerous times.

5. Season ending nose dive notwithstanding, you could do a lotworse than having Wenceel as your 4th OF.

 

[TcFlint]

At 3B Bregman, Suarez, and Alec Bohm are free agents.  Not confident Harris will swing again at a 3B.  Keith is an option for 3B or 2B as is Max Anderson.  Would love to see Anderson make the team with his solid right handed hitting.  Somewhere, somehow, we need to add a big bat, starting pitcher, and 2-3 relievers (preferably someone who throws 100mph).

Edited October 10 by TcFlint

[ewsieg]

Olson, Mize, Melton, Flaherty, Monteiro

This is after Cobb turns down another 1 year deal and stays retired this time.

[KL2]

3 hours ago, 4hzglory said:

Trading Mize with 1 year affordable year on his deal doesn't seem like Harris' MO especially when they need more SP as this year has shown and Mize has improved significantly.  I don't think you get back someone who is ready for next year (when they will for sure be trying to compete) who is likely to be better than Mize, otherwise, why would that team trade him? (Obviously can do a 3-way trade). 

Cause they keep pulling him after 2 innings. It's clear he's not trusted. Contract is irrevelant. We dont like him and can't imagine he's happy with it. 

They can move mize and some other team  - say a baltimore - will see the good. Whether that is ML hitter or minor leaguer ok. Then we can sign or deal guys to find new pitchers. Teams can make more than one move in an offseason. 

Edited October 10 by KL2

[SoCalTiger]

After we Win the World Series we will want everyone back.

[Tenacious D]

Mize is a free agent at the end of ‘26.  He probably has more trade value this offseason than risking his performance next season and getting little at the deadline. Plus, it does seem like the relationship is a bit strained.

He would need to be replaced, but I would not be shocked to see him dealt.

[4hzglory]

1 hour ago, KL2 said:

Cause they keep pulling him after 2 innings. It's clear he's not trusted. Contract is irrevelant. We dont like him and can't imagine he's happy with it. 

They can move mize and some other team  - say a baltimore - will see the good. Whether that is ML hitter or minor leaguer ok. Then we can sign or deal guys to find new pitchers. Teams can make more than one move in an offseason. 

In the playoffs he has been treated the same as anyone not named Skubal.  Obviously they don't trust him as much as Tarik, and in these must win scenerios, Hinch is going to go with the matchups.  Doesn't change the fact that during the season, they did trust him and needed him to get to this position.  

In today's playoffs, you don't need your starters to go 5-6 innings consistently, but you do need that in the regular season, and Mize gave that while showing much more than he has any season.  I see him continuing to earn more trust.

[4hzglory]

25 minutes ago, Tenacious D said:

Mize is a free agent at the end of ‘26.  He probably has more trade value this offseason than risking his performance next season and getting little at the deadline. Plus, it does seem like the relationship is a bit strained.

He would need to be replaced, but I would not be shocked to see him dealt.

Why would we be trading him at the deadline?  Especially after 2 consecutive playoff seasons, and with the last year of Skubal, they are not going to be going into the offseason thinking "Is player x going to lose value by the trade deadline?"  "They are going to be does player X help us get to the postseason again with a chance to advance?"

[Nate7474]

Did I miss where this narrative of Mize being unhappy started? Or are we basing this out of him being pulled early and seemingly unhappy about it visually? 

if it’s because of last start I wouldn’t read to much into that. I assumed before the game even started he’d only go 3 or 4 innings and I'm sure he was told that too. However the competitor in him I’m sure wanted to stay in and then when it didn’t work out well I’m sure he was mad. That doesn’t mean he’s unhappy with the Organization or Hinch long term. 
 

 

[4hzglory]

1 hour ago, KL2 said:

They can move mize and some other team  - say a baltimore - will see the good. Whether that is ML hitter or minor leaguer ok. Then we can sign or deal guys to find new pitchers. Teams can make more than one move in an offseason. 

Mize and Flaherty are both better than basically any FA option (not to mention Mize is much cheaper than he would be as a FA).  Trading Mize is considerably less likely to improve the rotation no matter what subsequent moves are made (barring him being included in a package for someone like Skenes obviously)

[Mr.TaterSalad]

I'd be more than happy running back a rotation of Skubal, Mize, Olsen, Flaherty, and Melton next year. Starting pitching isn't what I want us spending resources on net season, the upper and middle thirds of this lineup are areas of concern. I'm not paying a pitcher a big contract, sans Skubal reupping, before I go out and land at least one solid bat.

[Dan Gilmore]

Due to uncertain health of the rotation (nothing specific there, just general attrition) I’d like to see another solid starter. Someone like Ranger Suarez, although I don’t know what cost/term he or similar would cost. The old “you can never have too much pitching” idea.

This thread seems to have expanded beyond the rotation…

If they feel Lee or Anderson can hold down 2B (inexpensively) then I would like to add another power threat. I doubt Bregman would come hear and third seems the best position to upgrade. Spring for E. Suarez? 
 

Not going to dream on any of these guys very hard (what will Bichette get for a contract?!) but I want McKinstry in a backup role, not a regular. 
 

Getting a couple bullpen arms works for me. I know they are unpredictable. Want swing and miss options.

[gehringer_2]

A team just needs to figure on losing 20-30% of the opening day pitching staff to injury each year. That's just average.

Edited October 10 by gehringer_2

[Tiger337]

22 minutes ago, gehringer_2 said:

A team just needs to figure on losing 20-30% of the opening day pitching staff to injury each year. That's just average.

Right, you need to go into the season with at least 7 viable starters.  

[HugoD]

3 hours ago, TcFlint said:

At 3B Bregman, Suarez, and Alec Bohm are free agents.  Not confident Harris will swing again at a 3B.  Keith is an option for 3B or 2B as is Max Anderson.  Would love to see Anderson make the team with his solid right handed hitting.  Somewhere, somehow, we need to add a big bat, starting pitcher, and 2-3 relievers (preferably someone who throws 100mph).

Remember Matt Anderson 😀

[Dan Gilmore]

No octopus tossing!

[Tiger337]

4 minutes ago, HugoD said:

Remember Matt Anderson 😀

[Edman85]

5 hours ago, Shinzaki said:

Troy Watson in 26..book it

He's a free agent unless he is added to the 40 man in the next month or so.

[Tiger337]

3 hours ago, Nate7474 said:

I don’t get the dislike for Tork that I read and hear so often.  To me on the eye test defensively he’s be good for us. Seems to be pretty good and picking the ball and has good footwork around the bag. Good enough arm and makes good decisions defensively. Offensively he’s always going to be a lower average guy imo but he works the count and although I think he could stand to be more aggressive I think he will benefit the most from being able to challenge pitches. Power numbers are good and he hits a lot of doubles. Also seems to be a good clubhouse guy that’s well liked. 

Sure he isn’t going to be the #1 pick we all had hoped for but I also think he’s one of the least of our worries on this team. 

Defending high expectation first basemen who hit for power, draw walks and strikeout a lot is my job on this forum.  

[Tigermojo]

My guess for the rotation is Skubal, FA, Olson, Flaherty (if he stays), Mize.

Melton, Montero, SGL are insurance at Toledo. Maybe Hamm ends up in Toledo at some point.

[Edman85]

I would offer the QO to Torres and Flaherty. The pick the Tigers get (if they are still getting revenue sharing money) if they decline would be pretty high with four of the final six picks in the draft being known the CBT penalty box and their picks being moved back 8 spots. That would like be a 26th and 27th pick or something in that range.

[gehringer_2]

25 minutes ago, Tigermojo said:

My guess for the rotation is Skubal, FA, Olson, Flaherty (if he stays), Mize.

Melton, Montero, SGL are insurance at Toledo. Maybe Hamm ends up in Toledo at some point.

I don't know if we ever saw a full strength SGL this season, and he has now collected so many injures maybe we never will. I was at 5/3rd the night he struck out everyone and his brother for the Hens. He looked pretty exciting at that point.