2025-2026 Tigers Off Season Thread

[Tiger337]

On 10/19/2025 at 10:44 AM, Tiger337 said:

There are at least 11 including Granderson.  

Three of them included the Tigers as franchises.

One of them did it with four teams including the Tigers.

Four of them had 10+ WAR with each franchise.

To follow up on this, these are the players I have identified as having 500 games and 2000 PA with three different franchises"

Rusty Staub - 4 franchises

Willie Keeler - had 10+ WAR with each

Doc Cramer

Johnny Damon - 10+ WAR with each

Darrell Evans - 10+ WAR with each

Curtis Granderson - - 10+ WAR with each

Steve Finley

Billy Buckner

Reggie Jackson

Omar Vizquel

 

[chasfh]

I am definitely not suggesting Harris would trade Thayron for a bag of balls. That would be asinine. I also don’t believe his value caved after his soft performance late in the season. He is still a top 100 prospect and if he is not valued in trade as such, you don’t trade him. That simple. 

Edited October 24 by chasfh

[Tiger337]

I think Liranzo still needs to regarded as a top prospect, but I also wonder if the Dodgers knew something.  

[Edman85]

1 hour ago, chasfh said:

I am definitely not suggesting Harris would trade Thayron for a bag of balls. That would be asinine. I also don’t believe his value caved after his soft performance late in the season. He is still a top 100 prospect and if he is not valued in trade as such, you don’t trade him. That simple. 

A lot of those Top 100 rankings were before he struck out half the time to a sub .600 ops down the stretch and wasn't viable behind the plate.

To Lee's point, I think the team trading a prospect almost always knows something.

[Arlington]

56 minutes ago, chasfh said:

I am definitely not suggesting Harris would trade Thayron for a bag of balls. That would be asinine. I also don’t believe his value caved after his soft performance late in the season. He is still a top 100 prospect and if he is not valued in trade as such, you don’t trade him. That simple. 

Actually, he fell off of a lot if not all the top 100 lists I know.  But he is still a prospect at a valuable position and a heck of a pick-up as a side for a trade that probably got the team into the playoffs.    

[papalawrence]

Say the Dodgers lose. They want Skubal. They offer Sasaki and a top 100 prospect. Do you pull the trigger?

[This is the year]

Tempting with Sasaki. Tigers would have all right handed starters. In a perfect world Skubal gets his deal with the Tigers and then sign Ranger Suarez.

Edited October 25 by This is the year

[casimir]

On 10/24/2025 at 10:35 AM, Edman85 said:

I don't know that trading Thayron is a good idea right now after his play absolutely plummeted down the stretch. His bat fell off the map, and he became so unplayable down the stretch he was DH only. I am not even sure he is worth protecting on the 40 man.

Kind of an open question but I’ll play off of this post.

As far as rule 5 and Cs go, it would seem to me that it’s tough to roster a C via rule 5 unless he’s absolutely ready for playing time.  And, sure, there could be some position player shuffling with the other roster spots from time to time cover other position players if a rule 5 guy is a 3rd C / DH / 1B on an active roster.  I think the Marlins took Rob Brantley as a rule 5 pick.  But it doesn’t seem like grabbing a C in the rule 5 ever happens.  I’m probably wrong and it’ll be pointed in a few moments.

[4hzglory]

44 minutes ago, casimir said:

Kind of an open question but I’ll play off of this post.

As far as rule 5 and Cs go, it would seem to me that it’s tough to roster a C via rule 5 unless he’s absolutely ready for playing time.  And, sure, there could be some position player shuffling with the other roster spots from time to time cover other position players if a rule 5 guy is a 3rd C / DH / 1B on an active roster.  I think the Marlins took Rob Brantley as a rule 5 pick.  But it doesn’t seem like grabbing a C in the rule 5 ever happens.  I’m probably wrong and it’ll be pointed in a few moments.

The Marlins took Hicks from us last year.

[casimir]

58 minutes ago, 4hzglory said:

The Marlins took Hicks from us last year.

Maybe that's who I was thinking of rather than Brantley?

Edit:  Yes, its actually Brantly and he was traded by the Tigers to the Marlins.

July 23, 2012: Traded by the Detroit Tigers with Brian Flynn and Jacob Turner to the Miami Marlins for Omar Infante and Aníbal Sánchez.

Edited October 25 by casimir

[Tenacious D]

need to liven things up around here:

My offseason (I reserve the right to change my mind in 30 minutes):

Offer Gleyber Torres a QO.  If he declines, take the draft pick and sign Jorge Polanco (32) to 3 yr/$33 million contract. Switch-hitter, made $8M last season.  Plays 2B, but likely could play 3B, if needed, to increase his versatility and accommodate McGonigle and/or Keith.  Lower OBP than Torres, but more power and position flexibility.

Sign Dylan Cease (29) to 4 yr/$100 million contract.  Slipped last season, but young enough and solid track record that some Fetterin' would be worth making the commitment.

Offer Jack Flaherty a QO, if he declines his option.  If he accepts, he’d get a $2M raise, but we’d only be committed to one season with him.  Of course, if he passes, take the draft pick compensation.

Trade Parker Meadows and Justin-Henry Malloy to the Chicago White Sox for CF Luis Robert.  Still only 28, with team options through ’27 season, I’d roll the dice that he can get closer to his previous ’23 performance. Meadows and Malloy are both expendable in this situation, but still have upside, youth, and affordability to be attractive to a rebuilding team like the White Sux.

Re-sign Kyle Finnegan and go after one of Ryan Helsey, Robert Suarez or Edwin Diaz for the bullpen, to combine with Will Vest.  Roll the dice that some combination of Holton, Hurter, Montero, Foley, Lee, Lange can fill in the gaps.  Instead of going the free agent route, I could see Harris surrendering some prospects for relief targets with swing and miss who are controllable for a few seasons.

Consider trading Casey Mize to the Mets (or any other team) for prospects, if Flaherty comes back.  The Mets need SP, and I don’t see the Tigers signing Mize after next season.  I think it would be a mistake to not capitalize on the season he just put up.

(None of these acquisitions would preclude the Tigers financially rom re-signing Skubal, if that was an opportunity.)

The Lineup:

SS McGonigle

CF Robert

LF Greene

1B Tork

RF Carpenter

2B Polanco

3B Keith

C Dingler

DH Baez/McKinstry

Rotation:

Skubal

Cease

Flaherty (or Mize)

Olson

Melton

Bullpen:

Holton

Montero

Hurter

Foley/Lange

Finnegan

Vest

Diaz, Suarez or Helsey

[theroundsquare]

I like your thinking but I think that is light for Cease and I think that the Sux would want more for Luis Robert.  Even with Cease's down year in 2025, if teams pay like $9M per WAR this offseason (it was around $8M last year), I bet teams would gamble on him being a 3+ war pitcher.  He was 4+ in 2024 and 6+ a few years ago.

[casimir]

5 hours ago, Tenacious D said:

need to liven things up around here:

My offseason (I reserve the right to change my mind in 30 minutes):

Offer Gleyber Torres a QO.  If he declines, take the draft pick and sign Jorge Polanco (32) to 3 yr/$33 million contract. Switch-hitter, made $8M last season.  Plays 2B, but likely could play 3B, if needed, to increase his versatility and accommodate McGonigle and/or Keith.  Lower OBP than Torres, but more power and position flexibility.

Sign Dylan Cease (29) to 4 yr/$100 million contract.  Slipped last season, but young enough and solid track record that some Fetterin' would be worth making the commitment.

Offer Jack Flaherty a QO, if he declines his option.  If he accepts, he’d get a $2M raise, but we’d only be committed to one season with him.  Of course, if he passes, take the draft pick compensation.

Trade Parker Meadows and Justin-Henry Malloy to the Chicago White Sox for CF Luis Robert.  Still only 28, with team options through ’27 season, I’d roll the dice that he can get closer to his previous ’23 performance. Meadows and Malloy are both expendable in this situation, but still have upside, youth, and affordability to be attractive to a rebuilding team like the White Sux.

Re-sign Kyle Finnegan and go after one of Ryan Helsey, Robert Suarez or Edwin Diaz for the bullpen, to combine with Will Vest.  Roll the dice that some combination of Holton, Hurter, Montero, Foley, Lee, Lange can fill in the gaps.  Instead of going the free agent route, I could see Harris surrendering some prospects for relief targets with swing and miss who are controllable for a few seasons.

Consider trading Casey Mize to the Mets (or any other team) for prospects, if Flaherty comes back.  The Mets need SP, and I don’t see the Tigers signing Mize after next season.  I think it would be a mistake to not capitalize on the season he just put up.

(None of these acquisitions would preclude the Tigers financially rom re-signing Skubal, if that was an opportunity.)

The Lineup:

SS McGonigle

CF Robert

LF Greene

1B Tork

RF Carpenter

2B Polanco

3B Keith

C Dingler

DH Baez/McKinstry

Rotation:

Skubal

Cease

Flaherty (or Mize)

Olson

Melton

Bullpen:

Holton

Montero

Hurter

Foley/Lange

Finnegan

Vest

Diaz, Suarez or Helsey

I would offer qualifying offers to both Torres and Flaherty.

I would try to resign Finnegan.

I wouldn’t exclude any Tiger from last year in a trade.  Obviously the market will bear different values for each player.

Specific to Robert, I suspect he’s a looks good as an acquisition until he’s acquired.  He’s another high strikeout batter, which isn’t what the Tigers need.  I’m not adverse to dealing Meadows and Malloy, but I’m not sure this is it.

I would rekindle chats with Bregman.

And obviously there’s that extension stuff with Skubal to deal with.

I’m open to turning over a decent chunk of the roster without giving up too much present and future.

[Tigermojo]

I would be fine with bringing most of the team back, but nobody is guaranteed to make the roster until they earn it next spring. A kick in the pants helped Tork. This is a competitive team, and everyone earns their spot.

[casimir]

11 minutes ago, Tigermojo said:

I would be fine with bringing most of the team back, but nobody is guaranteed to make the roster until they earn it next spring. A kick in the pants helped Tork. This is a competitive team, and everyone earns their spot.

I don’t know.  If they return, it’s hard to see how Greene, Carpenter, Torkelson, Dingler, and maybe even Baez aren’t starters.

[gehringer_2]

37 minutes ago, casimir said:

I don’t know.  If they return, it’s hard to see how Greene, Carpenter, Torkelson, Dingler, and maybe even Baez aren’t starters.

I can see one guy from that core being moved, but otherwise for good or bad, that's it. If I'm going to play armchair GM, and I feel I have to move a core player for some pitching, the guy I'd like to move would be Carpenter. I'd have to buy out most of Javy's deal to move him, besides he's my safety net in CF. If you get a catcher who can receive and throw, and even hit some, you hold onto that for dear life, so I'm not even answering the phone about Dingler. Torkelson might bring back something of value but I'd just have to turn around and shop for a RH bat to replace his production. That leaves Greene and Carp and I think Greene crimped his value last season. I'd rather risk that he gets back on track than sell low. That last part is the gamble. I'd rather know all that the coaching staff knows about Greene's season from the inside before making that call.

Edited October 28 by gehringer_2

[Nate7474]

I’d offer QO to Flaherty and Torres and try to resign Finnegan as well from last year’s team. I’m probably trading some players like Ibanez, Malloy and Jung even if it’s not for much just to clear space. As far as additions I’d like to bring in a 1 year SP and a lefty bullpen arm. The big acquisition I’m making is probably Bichette for 7-8 years near 200 million to play SS and 3B over his career here. 

The big question is Skubal and I’d probably trade him if you get the right offer but then you need another SP. I’d love to watch him another season but I don’t see anyway that he resigns here and to only get a draft pick back and still need to replace him would be tough. 

[gehringer_2]

Maybe this was posted and I missed it, but I just noticed that the Freep did a fan poll about the Skubal and more than 60% of the respondents said to trade him this off-season. Not what I would have guessed.

[oblong]

probably a response to the clickbait rumors and that generated chatter.

[casimir]

8 hours ago, Nate7474 said:

I’d offer QO to Flaherty and Torres and try to resign Finnegan as well from last year’s team. I’m probably trading some players like Ibanez, Malloy and Jung even if it’s not for much just to clear space. As far as additions I’d like to bring in a 1 year SP and a lefty bullpen arm. The big acquisition I’m making is probably Bichette for 7-8 years near 200 million to play SS and 3B over his career here. 

The big question is Skubal and I’d probably trade him if you get the right offer but then you need another SP. I’d love to watch him another season but I don’t see anyway that he resigns here and to only get a draft pick back and still need to replace him would be tough. 

I can see guys like Ibanez, Malloy, Jung, and even Sweeney on their way out.  Although on the other hand, if they have minor league options, maybe they can still serve a depth purpose.

Bichette is a FA good candidate as well  Perhaps he does make more sense as a cheaper and younger option than Bregman.  Not sure his defense is up to snuff for SS long term, but then again maybe it doesn't need to be.

[casimir]

9 hours ago, gehringer_2 said:

I can see one guy from that core being moved, but otherwise for good or bad, that's it. If I'm going to play armchair GM, and I feel I have to move a core player for some pitching, the guy I'd like to move would be Carpenter. I'd have to buy out most of Javy's deal to move him, besides he's my safety net in CF. If you get a catcher who can receive and throw, and even hit some, you hold onto that for dear life, so I'm not even answering the phone about Dingler. Torkelson might bring back something of value but I'd just have to turn around and shop for a RH bat to replace his production. That leaves Greene and Carp and I think Greene crimped his value last season. I'd rather risk that he gets back on track than sell low. That last part is the gamble. I'd rather know all that the coaching staff knows about Greene's season from the inside before making that call.

That makes sense.

As I think about things, it almost seems like Dingler is the most immovable Tiger.  Seems odd, but I think there's some truth to that.

[ToledoBrian]

3 hours ago, gehringer_2 said:

Maybe this was posted and I missed it, but I just noticed that the Freep did a fan poll about the Skubal and more than 60% of the respondents said to trade him this off-season. Not what I would have guessed.

I'm in the minority, but I would roll with Skubal in 2026 through the season, regardless of where we are at the trade deadline.  I don't see any team giving us the OMG deal either this winter or in July.  It's definitely a gamble, but as Skubal is taking a gamble on himself, the Tigers should make the same gamble, even if we only get a draft pick.  Yes, they still need to pick up another front line starter this winter, a couple relievers ( though I hope Madden & Dylan Smith can take a step forward in 2026), and a big RHH preferably RF.  

[papalawrence]

5 minutes ago, ToledoBrian said:

I'm in the minority, but I would roll with Skubal in 2026 through the season, regardless of where we are at the trade deadline.  I don't see any team giving us the OMG deal either this winter or in July.  It's definitely a gamble, but as Skubal is taking a gamble on himself, the Tigers should make the same gamble, even if we only get a draft pick.  Yes, they still need to pick up another front line starter this winter, a couple relievers ( though I hope Madden & Dylan Smith can take a step forward in 2026), and a big RHH preferably RF.  

I don't see Harris trading Skubal unless he is offered a crazy deal. 

If Detroit keeps him through 2026, I have a hunch he'll sit a while as a free agent, as it's likely there will be a work stoppage in 2027.

[gehringer_2]

2 hours ago, papalawrence said:

it's likely there will be a work stoppage in 2027.

IDK if Forbes is to believed, but the teams that are losing the most money are some of the big market spenders, e.g., the Mets and Padres, more than the small market teams -- so that could drive a different kind of dynamic than we've seen in the past. 

I don't think the current CBA serves the fans well at all and I'd take a long strike if it meant a better system emerged, but I doubt it would.

[RatkoVarda]

6 hours ago, gehringer_2 said:

Maybe this was posted and I missed it, but I just noticed that the Freep did a fan poll about the Skubal and more than 60% of the respondents said to trade him this off-season. Not what I would have guessed.

that's surprising.

the heart says keep him, make a WS run, and maybe Iitch makes, and Skubal accepts, a $400M deal

but the heart is dead wrong, and the head says trade him before he walks for (almost) nothing