2025-2026 Tigers Off Season Thread

[TcFlint]

26 minutes ago, Tenacious D said:

You snooze you lose!  Two decent relievers already off the board.  Harris is snoozing at he wheel!

[chasfh]

1 hour ago, Sports_Freak said:

Is Finnegan worth a $20M, 2 year contract? I say, yes please.

I don't think I would like to pay 2/20 for a guy who will take one year at single digits.

[chasfh]

55 minutes ago, gehringer_2 said:

like all guys over 30, you are just waiting for the bat to drop off a cliff, but since it's almost impossible to guess whether that will be this season or few more seasons into the future, hope for best and have a fall back plan for the worst.

McKinstry's bat was already over the cliff when he got here, and he did so uncommonly well in just two discrete months (April and June) that it lifted his whole season up above average. His second half OPS+ was 81, which I think is about what we can expect from him for the whole of 2026. I think it would be best to find a way to limit him to 300 at bats tops next season, if at all possible. Make him the true utility player where he can eat.

[SoCalTiger]

23 minutes ago, chasfh said:

I don't think I would like to pay 2/20 for a guy who will take one year at single digits.

Do you really think Finnegan will sign for one year and under 10 mil ?

[chasfh]

8 minutes ago, SoCalTiger said:

Do you really think Finnegan will sign for one year and under 10 mil ?

Yes, I do. Although if it is 1/10, even 1/12, I'll be fine with that. Just don't promise him a second year upfront, is all.

[4hzglory]

1 minute ago, chasfh said:

Yes, I do. Although if it is 1/10, even 1/12, I'll be fine with that. Just don't promise him a second year upfront, is all.

I do think he will get the 2nd year.  Especially since Helsley got what he did, and even Williams getting 3.  Finnegan's numbers improved significantly and it was based on real changes, so It gives hope it is sustainable.

[Tiger337]

I think Finnegan will get two years in this reliever market.  

[Tenacious D]

I like Finnegan, but not as a closer. Give him the 7th, Vest the 8th and a real closer for the 9th. 2 years/$15M is probably his ceiling.

Edited 1 hour ago by Tenacious D

[Tiger337]

16 minutes ago, Tenacious D said:

I like Finnegan, but not as a closer. Give him the 7th, Vest the 8th and a real closer for the 9th. 2 years/$15M is probably his ceiling.

I don't believe Harris and Hinch care about a "real" closer.  I think they like the committee approach.  

[Sports_Freak]

28 minutes ago, Tiger337 said:

I don't believe Harris and Hinch care about a "real" closer.  I think they like the committee approach.  

I agree but maybe if they had a real closer they may change their minds?

"Fairbanks would certainly become the Tigers’ new closer as the organization looks to maximize its playoff window with Tarik Skubal."

https://sportsnaut.com/mlb/detroit-tigers-linked-elite-closer-2025-mlb-free-agency

[4hzglory]

1 minute ago, Sports_Freak said:

I agree but maybe if they had a real closer they may change their minds?

"Fairbanks would certainly become the Tigers’ new closer as the organization looks to maximize its playoff window with Tarik Skubal."

https://sportsnaut.com/mlb/detroit-tigers-linked-elite-closer-2025-mlb-free-agency

I'm hesitant on someone Tampa let go of for a relatively reasonable 1 yr $10 mil (adjusting for the buyout they gave) when his history suggests he should have received more than that.  Even if they held onto him for trade value.  It makes me concerned they know something.