2025-2026 Tigers Off Season Thread

[Sports_Freak]

43 minutes ago, casimir said:

So then what does he do with those players if he does acquire Bregman?  Anderson and Lee just sit in Toledo?

He already has an overabudance of young talented infielders. Prospects. Most of them flame out. But until they do, they're a good trading asset. It's why many people wanted him to part with some of them last trade deadline. And maybe he tried, who really knows? Harris mostly likes to keep things close to the vest. 

[papalawrence]

Tigers interest in King being reported. Risky, but I'd like to see it

[Tiger337]

7 minutes ago, papalawrence said:

Tigers interest in King being reported. Risky, but I'd like to see it

He seemed to be developing into to one of the top pitchers in baseball before his injury last year.  I think he's worth the risk. 

[gehringer_2]

1 hour ago, Tiger337 said:

He seemed to be developing into to one of the top pitchers in baseball before his injury last year.  I think he's worth the risk. 

what kind of pick would he cost?

[IdahoBert]

An injured pitcher? Sign me up for that! It’s got to work occasionally. Maybe it’ll work this time!

[Tiger337]

7 hours ago, gehringer_2 said:

what kind of pick would he cost?

After the 4th round.

[Sports_Freak]

Matt Manning signs with the Lions.

The Samsung Lions of the KBO League in South Korea. 😆

[Edman85]

1 hour ago, Tiger337 said:

After the 4th round.

No...

It would be the Tigers' 3rd rounder. The pick sacrificed isn't the same as the 4th rounder the Padres gained.

It is the Tigers' third pick, but their third pick is actually the competitive balance pick which is ineligible to be forfeited. If, however, they acquire a competitive balance pick in a trade, the acquired pick becomes forfeit eligible and the sacrificed pick would be either that acquired pick or the second rounder depending on which pick is acquired.

That is to say... probably their 3rd rounder, but I wanted to explain the scenario it is another.

[RatkoVarda]

(Edman explained it better)

Edited Wednesday at 02:30 PM by RatkoVarda

[chasfh]

22 hours ago, Tiger337 said:

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

I would bet if we had an actual closer-level shutdown reliever, they would care about "real" closers then.

[chasfh]

21 hours ago, 4hzglory said:

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's worth more than that.  Even if they held onto him for trade value.  It makes me concerned they know something.

It might be as simple as Fairbanks made only 3.5 Ms last year and was due for 11 this year, and the Rays don't play that.

From a performance standpoint, Fairbanks does get hit pretty hard, so he's only some bad BABIP from getting crushed, an especial problem for someone who has also lost his strikeout mojo over the last couple of years.

[gehringer_2]

19 minutes ago, chasfh said:

I would bet if we had an actual closer-level shutdown reliever, they would care about "real" closers then.

Correct. When there is a clear choice Hinch has no issue giving one guy all the save opportunities e.g. Soto in '22. Nobody reached that success level in '25. Lange and Foley probably would have gotten the role just as exclusively in 23/24 if they hadn't continued to be inconsistent.

Edited Wednesday at 03:15 PM by gehringer_2

[Tiger337]

18 minutes ago, chasfh said:

I would bet if we had an actual closer-level shutdown reliever, they would care about "real" closers then.

Of course, they care about getting good pitchers who can get outs, but I don't think they care so much about roles.  I think if they had two such pitchers, Hinch might not be a slave to the traditional closer role especially if they varied in handedness and pitch types.  

[Tiger337]

54 minutes ago, Edman85 said:

No...

It would be the Tigers' 3rd rounder. The pick sacrificed isn't the same as the 4th rounder the Padres gained.

It is the Tigers' third pick, but their third pick is actually the competitive balance pick which is ineligible to be forfeited. If, however, they acquire a competitive balance pick in a trade, the acquired pick becomes forfeit eligible and the sacrificed pick would be either that acquired pick or the second rounder depending on which pick is acquired.

That is to say... probably their 3rd rounder, but I wanted to explain the scenario it is another.

LOL, I knew I'd get it wrong and that you would correct me.  Thanks.  

 

[RatkoVarda]

so Ketel Marte might be available, and I totally believe that Tigers are interested.

Marte and Torres at the top of the order is just what Harris would want

[Sports_Freak]

47 minutes ago, Tiger337 said:

Of course, they care about getting good pitchers who can get outs, but I don't think they care so much about roles.  I think if they had two such pitchers, Hinch might not be a slave to the traditional closer role especially if they varied in handedness and pitch types.  

Hinch knows, and has said, sometimes a "save" is made in the 8th inning against the heart of an opposing teams lineup. Thats when a manager wants to use his "closer." Makes sense...

[Sports_Freak]

45 minutes ago, RatkoVarda said:

so Ketel Marte might be available, and I totally believe that Tigers are interested.

Marte and Torres at the top of the order is just what Harris would want

I see he's under contract with Arizona. He's also been playing 2nd base. Can he still play SS?

"On April 2, 2025, the Diamondbacks signed Marte to a six-year contract extension worth a guaranteed $116.5 million."

[RatkoVarda]

I assume he would be in CF for 2026

[gehringer_2]

9 minutes ago, RatkoVarda said:

I assume he would be in CF for 2026

Nice bat, but it's been years since he's spent any significant time anywhere but 2b. Last time he played CF was 5 yrs ago and his DRS was terrible over ~70 games. Hasn't played SS in something like 8 yrs,

I think it would take a leap of faith to pencil him in anywhere but 2b/DH.

[Nate7474]

1 minute ago, gehringer_2 said:

Nice bat, but it's been years since he's spent any significant time anywhere but 2b. Last time he played CF was 5 yrs ago and his DRS was terrible over ~70 games. Hasn't played SS in something like 8 yrs,

I think it would take a leap of faith to pencil him in anywhere but 2b/DH.

One would need to play 3rd part time at the very least as well and atleast Torres has been on record not wanted to play 3rd.  I think that shipped sailed when Torres accepted in QO. 

[Sports_Freak]

13 minutes ago, Nate7474 said:

One would need to play 3rd part time at the very least as well and atleast Torres has been on record not wanted to play 3rd.  I think that shipped sailed when Torres accepted in QO. 

Agreed. We already have a few 2nd base options, as well as some prospects. Forget middle infielders, sign some quality pitchers...

[Toddwert]

how do we feel about trading for Mackenzie Gore  JP say hes being shopped

[gehringer_2]

52 minutes ago, Sports_Freak said:

Agreed. We already have a few 2nd base options, as well as some prospects. Forget middle infielders, sign some quality pitchers...

With Vierling back and Torres healthy, there is still a question mark around whether Riley contact rate continues to degrade or recovers. But other than that, I'm also more concerned about the pitching than the hitting. They ranked pretty well in offense in the 1st half when Torres was healthy - granted some of that was production from McKinstry that won't likely be repeated, but I expect Keith and Dingler will show more additional upside in '26. Pitching has to improve though 

Thinking back - '24, the O didn't score enough but once they got out of April, when the Tigers had a lead I always felt pretty good - close games weren't traumatic. Last season in the 2nd half no lead ever felt safe.

Edited Wednesday at 05:46 PM by gehringer_2

[AlaskanTigersFan]

23 minutes ago, Toddwert said:

how do we feel about trading for Mackenzie Gore  JP say hes being shopped

No thanks. He'd cost Max Clark at least. If not Clark and Rainer. Rather have the two kids. 

[chasfh]

3 hours ago, Tiger337 said:

Of course, they care about getting good pitchers who can get outs, but I don't think they care so much about roles.  I think if they had two such pitchers, Hinch might not be a slave to the traditional closer role especially if they varied in handedness and pitch types.  

I agree although having two such pitchers is kind of a rare luxury. I think if we had one, they would get the majority of high-leverage closing situations. The only time they would not is if they are not available for some reason. But as long as we have a bullpen the level of what it was in 2025, there would probably be more mixing and matching.