2025-2026 Tigers Off Season Thread

[Tiger337]

4 minutes ago, 1984Echoes said:

Yeah, ummm...

I don't think Olson wins a rotation spot based on "we need to get as many innings out of him in Detroit before he goes on the IL again...".

He has the ability to win the 5th spot outright. Heck, he could with the 4th spot or push Flaherty down to the 4th spot...

I just think the 5th starter is an open competition and I won't rule out any possibility.

Plus... Spring Training injuries so, who knows... ?

If healthy, he is their second best starter.  

WOW, I have been working all night long and had no idea they signed Valdez!!!

Edited 21 hours ago by Tiger337

[4hzglory]

1 minute ago, Tiger337 said:

If healthy, he is their second best starter.  

Exactly.  This is why they will not waste his innings in Toledo. 

[Tiger337]

3 minutes ago, Tiger337 said:

I am very confident this will work itself out. 

YOU CAN NEVER EVER HAVE TOO MUCH STARTING PITCHING  

Even with Valdez!!!

[1984Echoes]

7 minutes ago, Tiger337 said:

If healthy, he is their second best starter.  

WOW, I have been working all night long and had no idea they signed Valdez!!!

No he isn't.

[Tiger337]

5 minutes ago, 1984Echoes said:

No he isn't.

3rd best now

[gehringer_2]

21 minutes ago, 1984Echoes said:

Yeah, ummm...

I don't think Olson wins a rotation spot based on "we need to get as many innings out of him in Detroit before he goes on the IL again...".

He has the ability to win the 5th spot outright. Heck, he could with the 4th spot or push Flaherty down to the 4th spot...

I just think the 5th starter is an open competition and I won't rule out any possibility.

Plus... Spring Training injuries so, who knows... ?

Olson is going to win a rotation spot based on being able to get guys out better than anyone other than Skubal. The question is can he keep it.

Edited 21 hours ago by gehringer_2

[1984Echoes]

I think Melton is better than him.

But experience may win out in that battle.

I think Flaherty is better too... when he's pitching well. I don't know what happened last year...? He seemed fine one game and then off the next. I still think he has another 2024 in him. If he does, Olson is 5th best. 

But if he (Flaherty) pitches like last year, then I would consider Olson 4th best (3rd best in Detroit as I'm just going to guess Melton gets stuck in Toledo).

He won't push Mize further down the rotation even though he's proven to be the better pitcher than Mize, when healthy. Just guessing here... but I think Hinch will put Mize higher up in the rotation and keep him there. No matter what Olson does. But again... just guessing.

And if Hinch decides Melton has "IT" and keeps him in the Detroit rotation... all bets are off IMO.

[Tenacious D]

It won’t happen, but Flaherty would help a ton in the pen.

[Tenacious D]

11 minutes ago, 1984Echoes said:

I think Melton is better than him.

But experience may win out in that battle.

I think Flaherty is better too... when he's pitching well. I don't know what happened last year...? He seemed fine one game and then off the next. I still think he has another 2024 in him. If he does, Olson is 5th best. 

But if he (Flaherty) pitches like last year, then I would consider Olson 4th best (3rd best in Detroit as I'm just going to guess Melton gets stuck in Toledo).

He won't push Mize further down the rotation even though he's proven to be the better pitcher than Mize, when healthy. Just guessing here... but I think Hinch will put Mize higher up in the rotation and keep him there. No matter what Olson does. But again... just guessing.

And if Hinch decides Melton has "IT" and keeps him in the Detroit rotation... all bets are off IMO.

Could be a trade forthcoming.  I still contend that Mize could be dealt. Very team friendly contract.

[Sports_Freak]

The Tigers pitching staff may be one of the best in the AL. Fetter has some high quality arms to work with. Harris signing 2 really good BP arms to go along with Vest gives us 3 pitchers who had 20+ saves last season. And we have about 7 or 8 pitchers who could start. Which is good because we probably used at least 8 starters last season.

[IdahoBert]

I am so happy to be wrong about my expectations. 

[Tigermojo]

"Detroit also forfeits draft capital because Valdez rejected a qualifying offer from the Astros. They’re a revenue sharing recipient so it’s the lowest penalty, their third-highest pick in the 2026 draft. That’s currently slated to be their Competitive Balance Round B selection, which is 69th overall. The Tigers could look to trade that pick — Competitive Balance selections are the only ones that can be traded — rather than losing it as the compensatory pick. They’d then forfeit their third-round selection (#98 overall), but another team might be more willing to give up something of value for the higher draft choice and accompanying slot value that makes it worthwhile for Detroit to lose the third-rounder."

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/02/tigers-framber-valdez-agree-to-three-year-deal.html

[holygoat]

2 hours ago, Hongbit said:

I am expecting them to trade Skubal before pitchers and catchers report next week.   

Not gonna lie, this thought occurred to me, as well. The Tigers are in a nice position either way now, though. What a great signing.

[KL2]

Damn cheap Chris Illitch strike again

[oblong]

They're not going to trade Skubal unless they tank it this year and are way out of it by the deadline.

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I don't think they trade Skubal...and this is what I was hoping they would do. Sign his "replacement" a year early and greatly increase our odds of not only making the playoffs but having a long run in the playoffs in 2026.

Assuming that is what they do, I like how it sets us up for the future. If we make a long postseason run this season, it makes us an appealing destination for a FA pitcher (including Skubal) next offseason. They would get to pair with an already signed top quality starter and enjoy the fruit of our developing hitting prospects.

[Motor City Sonics]

10 hours ago, GalagaGuy said:

We seem to have 6 legit starters now, who gets moved to the bullpen?  

 

There is a long time between now and opening day.   I doubt there will be 6 healthy starters when that rolls around.   Someone will have a reason to not be ready.    

Besides, if you consider Melton to be one of the 6, I don't think they planned on him being being one of the 5 starters all season.  They're going to watch his innings all year.  

[ToledoBrian]

1 hour ago, CaliforniaDreaming said:

I don't think they trade Skubal...and this is what I was hoping they would do. Sign his "replacement" a year early and greatly increase our odds of not only making the playoffs but having a long run in the playoffs in 2026.

Assuming that is what they do, I like how it sets us up for the future. If we make a long postseason run this season, it makes us an appealing destination for a FA pitcher (including Skubal) next offseason. They would get to pair with an already signed top quality starter and enjoy the fruit of our developing hitting prospects.

This....  Attempt a long run into the playoffs with the team as currently constructed, you conceivably have $ 40 + million coming off the books with Flaherty & Torres, use that for Skubal / Skubal replacement next year.  Hopefully by then McGonigle has begun to show he's ready for 2B / SS / 3B probably 2B. Maybe we see Clark after the All Star break.  Improvements ( hopefully ) from Keith / Dingler / Meadows.  Meadows we need consistent time due to his elite defense, if we get replacement level offense even better.  Skubal / Flaherty / Valdez / Mize / Olson if healthy a majority of the season.

 

[Tenacious D]

2 minutes ago, ToledoBrian said:

This....  Attempt a long run into the playoffs with the team as currently constructed, you conceivably have $ 40 + million coming off the books with Flaherty & Torres, use that for Skubal / Skubal replacement next year.  Hopefully by then McGonigle has begun to show he's ready for 2B / SS / 3B probably 2B. Maybe we see Clark after the All Star break.  Improvements ( hopefully ) from Keith / Dingler / Meadows.  Meadows we need consistent time due to his elite defense, if we get replacement level offense even better.  Skubal / Flaherty / Valdez / Mize / Olson if healthy a majority of the season.

 

Mize is a free agent, too.  Could get a QO, which he would almost certainly accept, unless he has an insane season.

[Tiger337]

This signing changes everything.  It erases my doubts about Harris/Ilitch having the aggressiveness to make big moves.  They are now the clear favorites to win the division and the pitching depth should give them an edge in the playoffs.  It also gives them a better chance in 2027-2028 than they would have had otherwise.   

Edited 11 hours ago by Tiger337

[Tiger337]

What is all this talk about trading Skubal?  I'd be shocked if that happened now.  They are in great position with this team now.  

[Hongbit]

6 minutes ago, Tiger337 said:

What is all this talk about trading Skubal?  I'd be shocked if that happened now.  They are in great position with this team now.  

My thoughts are all financial and lack of trust in Chris.  The uncertainty of the new TV deal along with a potential lockout looming has me doubting that he’s going to significantly increased payroll this season.  I hope that I’m wrong and this is the new Chris.  

[RatkoVarda]

I still think they are a RH bat short, as Jones is unlikely to repeat his 2025, Vierling is just solid and coming off multiple injuries. Maybe they do something at the end of ST, or maybe they wait and see how it goes, possibly with Anderson or Lee.

[Edman85]

15 minutes ago, Tiger337 said:

What is all this talk about trading Skubal?  I'd be shocked if that happened now.  They are in great position with this team now.  

I think it is pretty clear he was dangled over the offseason with the Tigers doing their dilligence and asking for the moon. Given that reporting stopped and it was reported he was staying right around the time the Mets acquired Peralta tells me the Mets came the closest to meeting the asking price. The stuff the last couple weeks has been hot take artists shooting from the hip.

[gehringer_2]

2 minutes ago, RatkoVarda said:

I still think they are a RH bat short, as Jones is unlikely to repeat his 2025, Vierling is just solid and coming off multiple injuries. Maybe they do something at the end of ST, or maybe they wait and see how it goes, possibly with Anderson or Lee.

agree they are still too left handed, esp if McGonigle makes the team.