2025-2026 Tigers Off Season Thread

[Tiger337]

8 minutes ago, chasfh said:

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. 

Whether or not it's a luxury depends on how high you raise the bar for "real closer".   There have been plenty of cases where teams had two really good relievers who could have closed for a good number of other teams, but only one had the closer role.  Since this discussion started with Pete Fairbanks, I don't think that sets the bar super high.   

[papalawrence]

Tiger Territory today mentioned Valdez, suggesting he'd require ~ 5/140. They said that's not Harris' way, but having him and Skubal at the top of the rotation would be formidable and would show Skubal that they mean business. Harris usually requires some significant injury history before his interest gets peaked. So I don't expect Valdez to be a Tiger.

[4hzglory]

4 minutes ago, papalawrence said:

Tiger Territory today mentioned Valdez, suggesting he'd require ~ 5/140. They said that's not Harris' way, but having him and Skubal at the top of the rotation would be formidable and would show Skubal that they mean business. Harris usually requires some significant injury history before his interest gets peaked. So I don't expect Valdez to be a Tiger.

Valdez does come with the history of throwing at his catcher.  He's someone I don't really want with that history and the fact that he's 32 for what he'd command.  I wouldn't be surprised if he gets 6 years and at least the same AAV as the 5/140.

[SoCalTiger]

pass on Valdez. too old too much $$

[RatkoVarda]

Harris should only sign good, young, durable starters who don't command a lot of $$$ or years.

[Tiger337]

Just now, RatkoVarda said:

Harris should only sign good, young, durable starters who don't command a lot of $$$ or years.

And who don't have a bad temper and who sincerely love the city of Detroit

[gehringer_2]

1 hour ago, SoCalTiger said:

pass on Valdez. too old too much $$

well, I don't mind the idea of 32 yr old pitcher per se, he could easily have 4 good yrs left, but no - I don't want a 32 year old pitcher on a 6-8 yr deal either, and someone will probably give him one.

[1984Echoes]

I'd rather have Imai.

[chasfh]

2 hours ago, RatkoVarda said:

Harris should only sign good, young, durable starters who don't command a lot of $$$ or years.

I'm sure there are plenty of those on the shelf at Walmart. All he's got to do is go there and pick one up ... easy pease ... 😉

[Tiger337]

1 hour ago, chasfh said:

I'm sure there are plenty of those on the shelf at Walmart. All he's got to do is go there and pick one up ... easy pease ... 😉

He won't find them at the goodwill store.  

[casimir]

4 minutes ago, Tiger337 said:

He won't find them at the goodwill store.  

Easy there, boomer.  Kids these days have a thing for thrifting.

[HeyAbbott]

I think that I am perfectly OK with an impact infielder FA coming to Detroit, If not Bregman, then somebody else. The infields contribution to wins has mildly improved with a hernia-repaired Torres and the departure of Ibanez. If they sign Bregman, will we see less of Sweeney? That would be my hope.

We need a replacement OF as the overall health of our outfield may be less than what is required. Let Clark mellow like fine scotch in Toledo.

I also think the pitching in the minors is somewhat thin, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Olson go under the knife this year, possibly before the ASB. Jobe or Madden will not be available replacements more than likely either IMO.

We need a starting pitcher. We need a bullpen arm or 2. We need an outfielder. We need Bregman. for the IF. 

[gehringer_2]

haven't heard anything about Jobe, but at the time of his surgery it was reported he had the newer less disruptive procedure that SGL uderwent. SGL's recovery from the TJ was pretty fast but his other injury problems effectively distracted from noticing that.

Edited 21 hours ago by gehringer_2

[TcFlint]

I do not trust Scott Harris’s judgement on free agent signings or trades.  I also think he made a mistake with the Torres qualifying offer.  For a couple years he has said he would use our own system, free agency, and trades to improve going forward.  We have heard from Harris and Greenberg we need to address our bullpen, but still waiting while 2 hard throwing relievers  signed elsewhere.  One of those, Helsley, they wanted to convert to being a starter while Helsley wanted to remain a reliever.  He signed with the Orioles.  Harris has done a good job improving our minor league system and signing Torres last season, however, he has failed to increase our chances of getting to the World Series through trade or free agency in my opinion.  
 

[Dan Gilmore]

I’m pretty sure it’s December 4th. The season doesn’t start next week.

[KL2]

11 hours ago, TcFlint said:

I do not trust Scott Harris’s judgement on free agent signings or trades...Harris has done a good job improving our minor league system and signing Torres last season
 

right....

[Tiger337]

I trust Harris's judgement on evaulation of available players perhaps more than any GM they have had in my lifetime.  I would just like the Tigers to be a little more aggressive in the level of players they acquire.    

[1984Echoes]

14 hours ago, HeyAbbott said:

I think that I am perfectly OK with an impact infielder FA coming to Detroit, If not Bregman, then somebody else...

We need a starting pitcher. We need a bullpen arm or 2. We need an outfielder. We need Bregman. for the IF. 

Munetaka Murikami - draft pick cost: 0. Posting and contract money only on a RH'd 3B (can also play 1B and maybe OF) from the Japanese leagues. 26 y.o. next year, has a high hit tool and patience with good power... but ... converting from Japan to USA? Career .275 BA in Japan, .395 OBP, .550 SP%. Could be a good 3-4 year bet rather than going HIGH years HIGH dollars with Boras/ Bregman. Can start at 3B at least beginning 2026... Tigers can adjust as needed.

I would prefer Bregman as a "known commodity". But if Harris could swing a signing of both Murikami and Imai...? I'd give him MAJOR PROPS for that. Speaking of which...

Tatsuya Imai - draft pick cost: 0. Posting and contract money only on a RH'd pitcher from the Japanese leagues 28 y.o. next year, had a 1.62 ERA last year in Japan, 164 inn's, 101 hits, 45 BB's 178 K's. Would probably slot in as a #2 or 3 ahead of, or behind, Flaherty.

Getting the two of them together may "ease the pain" of transitioning to the US as they'd be doing it together on the same team. That's the only thing I got... Maybe bring Maeda back as a team ambassador/ translator/ coach/ advisor...? Would that help?

I say Tucker. And trade Kerry Carpenter. Unless there's a CF'er that's as good an option as Tucker? Or Tucker-lite that's less expensive? But I don't see one so... Tucker?

Or... how about a trifecta?

Add in Kazuma Okamoto who can play 1B/3B/OF and let Hinch have some fun!!! Turns 30 next year at end of June but.. no draft pick cost, fits high hit/ patience tool that Harris wants...

RP's...? Finnegan plus Diaz/ Suarez/ Fairbanks/ Keller...? Whoever Hinch can wrangle?

[1984Echoes]

I think Harris should tell those guys: We want ALL 3 of you... and we'll add whatever necessary to help with the transition...

[chasfh]

1 hour ago, Tiger337 said:

I trust Harris's judgement on evaulation of available players perhaps more than any GM they have had in my lifetime.  I would just like the Tigers to be a little more aggressive in the level of players they acquire.    

Would you be willing to substantially overpay in prospect capital in trades, and in years for free agents? There's no right answer here, just asking what your tolerance level is.

Can we agree that it would take a substantial overpay to get certain players to come to Detroit, versus what the Yankees and Mets and Dodgers and Giants and Red Sox and Cubs could sign the same player for?

[gehringer_2]

4 hours ago, Dan Gilmore said:

I’m pretty sure it’s December 4th. The season doesn’t start next week.

Funny  you mention it, ESPN already has the 1st exhibition games showing on the 'scores' header of the MLB page instead of leaving up the score of the last WS game until Feb.

[gehringer_2]

1 hour ago, chasfh said:

Would you be willing to substantially overpay in prospect capital in trades, and in years for free agents? There's no right answer here, just asking what your tolerance level is.

Can we agree that it would take a substantial overpay to get certain players to come to Detroit, versus what the Yankees and Mets and Dodgers and Giants and Red Sox and Cubs could sign the same player for?

If you are mid market I think the last thing you can afford to do is over pay either in dollars or prospect. The idea always has to be the keep the strongest system at the most reasonable cost. Never move assets at a loss. As soon as you deviate from the that line you are setting yourself up to start downhill.

[Tiger337]

2 hours ago, chasfh said:

Would you be willing to substantially overpay in prospect capital in trades, and in years for free agents? There's no right answer here, just asking what your tolerance level is.

Can we agree that it would take a substantial overpay to get certain players to come to Detroit, versus what the Yankees and Mets and Dodgers and Giants and Red Sox and Cubs could sign the same player for?

Overpaying for free agents might be OK depending on who it is.  Players seem to want to stay once they get to Detroit, so things may be changing as the team improves.  There is no reason why they should have to overpay in a trade.  I believe teams trading prospects win trades more often than not.  I am not really interested in seeing them trade top prospects, but as always it depends on the return.     

[SoCalTiger]

4 hours ago, 1984Echoes said:

Munetaka Murikami - draft pick cost: 0. Posting and contract money only on a RH'd 3B (can also play 1B and maybe OF) from the Japanese leagues. 26 y.o. next year, has a high hit tool and patience with good power... but ... converting from Japan to USA? Career .275 BA in Japan, .395 OBP, .550 SP%. Could be a good 3-4 year bet rather than going HIGH years HIGH dollars with Boras/ Bregman. Can start at 3B at least beginning 2026... Tigers can adjust as needed.

I would prefer Bregman as a "known commodity". But if Harris could swing a signing of both Murikami and Imai...? I'd give him MAJOR PROPS for that. Speaking of which...

Tatsuya Imai - draft pick cost: 0. Posting and contract money only on a RH'd pitcher from the Japanese leagues 28 y.o. next year, had a 1.62 ERA last year in Japan, 164 inn's, 101 hits, 45 BB's 178 K's. Would probably slot in as a #2 or 3 ahead of, or behind, Flaherty.

Getting the two of them together may "ease the pain" of transitioning to the US as they'd be doing it together on the same team. That's the only thing I got... Maybe bring Maeda back as a team ambassador/ translator/ coach/ advisor...? Would that help?

I say Tucker. And trade Kerry Carpenter. Unless there's a CF'er that's as good an option as Tucker? Or Tucker-lite that's less expensive? But I don't see one so... Tucker?

Or... how about a trifecta?

Add in Kazuma Okamoto who can play 1B/3B/OF and let Hinch have some fun!!! Turns 30 next year at end of June but.. no draft pick cost, fits high hit/ patience tool that Harris wants...

RP's...? Finnegan plus Diaz/ Suarez/ Fairbanks/ Keller...? Whoever Hinch can wrangle?

Personally I am not interested in any of the Japanese players this year. Imani is too small and too expensive for the risk and the hitters are all bat first DH or so so fielders even at first and we have one of those. Let’s add dual threat players if we can. I’m not paying big dollars for pitching period. I don’t think Harris will either. 

[SoCalTiger]

4 hours ago, Tiger337 said:

I trust Harris's judgement on evaulation of available players perhaps more than any GM they have had in my lifetime.  I would just like the Tigers to be a little more aggressive in the level of players they acquire.    

Harris seems very disciplined with his approach. I doubt we see many trades and all free agent signings under 50 million with the exception of a rare “ check all the boxes “ free agent like Bregman last off season. I don’t think there are any free agents this year that meet that criteria for Harris.