Where the Detroit Tigers stand heading into the Winter Meetings

DETROIT — Two months after the excitement and noise of the Detroit Tigers’ surprise playoff run, their offseason has been … incredibly quiet.

Such can be the nature of MLB offseasons, particularly in a year when much of the market is in a holding pattern waiting for Juan Soto to sign and other dominoes to begin their tumble.

One thing that’s clear: Rather than pressing down the accelerator, the Tigers front office appears set on remaining patient and opportunistic in constructing its 2025 roster.

But all this does not mean the team won’t make additions before the start of spring training. The Tigers enter next week’s Winter Meetings in Dallas with two key questions coming into focus: How close are they to adding a starting pitcher? And what route will they take to add needed offensive impact?

The pitching market

Here, we have movement across the league. Blake Snell signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for five years and $182 million. The Los Angeles Angels signed Yusei Kikuchi for three years and $63 million. The New York Mets signed Frankie Montas for two years and $34 million. Old friend Matthew Boyd signed with the Chicago Cubs for two years and $29 million. Just Thursday, the Athletics agreed to terms with Luis Severino for three years and $67 million.

The Tigers are thought to again be seeking at least one starting pitcher on a one- or two-year contract. Although Max Fried and Corbin Burnes remain factors atop the market, more pitchers could begin signing rapidly over the coming days.

Detroit’s most interesting options here include Walker Buehler, Michael Soroka and Andrew Heaney, among others. The Tigers might be turned off by the qualifying offers attached to others such as Nick Pivetta and Sean Manaea. Regardless, expect the Tigers to seek another high-upside arm they believe they can optimize like they did with Michael Lorenzen and Jack Flaherty over the past two seasons.

Buehler, a two-time All-Star who slumped to a 5.38 ERA last season, could be the white whale. But can the Tigers get him on a short-term deal? These are the sort of existential questions hanging around the franchise. Despite an estimated $77.6 million on the team’s books, there is little indication the Tigers are preparing to spend like anything more than, at best, a mid-market team.

The hunt for a third baseman?

For as thrilling as their fall postseason run was, the Tigers still have a long way to go. Consider the fact they ranked 29th, above only the dreadful Chicago White Sox, with a .300 team on-base percentage last season.

There is merit to Scott Harris’ previous comments about most of the Tigers’ improvements needing to come from internal development. But it would be a disservice to fans and existing players if the team does not make a meaningful attempt to bolster its lineup.

Harris has previously stated an interest in adding a right-handed bat, either an infielder or outfielder. First and third base look like the most natural fits, and the Tigers are thought to have been looking deeper at their options in recent days.

At third base, some of the options are appealing. What remains murky is whether the Tigers have any desire to compete at the top end of the market, where Alex Bregman looms as perhaps the most perfect match. Of course, courting Bregman’s services could require outbidding the likes of the incumbent Houston Astros, the New York Yankees and perhaps other teams that miss out on Soto.

If Bregman is not a realistic option, where else might the Tigers’ attention turn? There have been rumblings about an interest in Ha-Seong Kim, the San Diego Padres infielder who underwent labrum surgery in October and is expected to miss the early portion of the season. If Kim seeks a one-year pillow deal, he could be a highly interesting option. There’s also smoke surrounding Nolan Arenado, whom the St. Louis Cardinals are actively trying to trade. Arenado seems alluring and risky. The 33-year-old is an eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner who has dealt with minor injuries and hints of regression over the past two seasons. Arenado is due $74 million over the next three seasons, but even in a down year, he was worth 3.1 fWAR in 2024.

For Arenado to become a Tiger, he would first have to waive his no-trade clause, which could be far from a given since the Tigers would also have to believe he could overcome the lurking signs of decline: Arenado’s bat speed ranked in MLB’s 28th percentile last season. His average exit velocity was only 86.3 mph, ranking in the eighth percentile. Although he still hit .295 against fastballs, his 31.6 percent hard-hit rate was the lowest of his career. Arenado has crushed lefties for much of his career, but he has had reverse splits over the past two years, including only a .646 OPS against left-handed pitching last season, something that very much runs counter to the Tigers’ specific desire for a right-handed bat. Detroit had a team OPS of only .660 against left-handed pitching in 2024.

If the Tigers still seek a corner infielder, the Miami Marlins’ Jake Burger is another player to watch. The high-power, low-contact third baseman could add thump to the Tigers lineup but was worth only 1.4 fWAR last season.

Detroit could just as easily pursue a first baseman. Christian Walker could be the best free-agent fit. Carlos Santana or Justin Turner might be cheaper alternatives. And Yandy Díaz also exists as a potential trade target.

Even if Soto signs with a team in the coming days, the hitting market might play out slower as big names such as Bregman and Pete Alonso seek lucrative deals of their own.

But as the Tigers increase conversations with agents and opposing executives at the Winter Meetings, we might leave Dallas with a clearer picture of the team’s plans.

(Top photo of Scott Harris, A.J. Hinch and Jeff Greenberg: Junfu Han / Imagn Images)