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Why the Detroit Tigers Aren’t Pursuing Elite Starting Pitchers for 2026
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- Why the Detroit Tigers Aren’t Pursuing Elite Starting Pitchers for 2026
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Detroit Tigers have been active in MLB free agency, but not with elite starting pitchers. The Tigers have focused on their bullpen by re-signing Kyle Finnegan and inking Kenley Jansen to a one-year contract with a club option. Detroit also signed pitcher Drew Anderson to a similar deal from Korea.
Despite being linked to free-agent starting pitchers Michael King and Zac Gallen , the Tigers' interest in the two players has cooled down. Now, the Tigers are not expected to sign an elite starting pitcher, as reported by the Detroit Free Press' Evan Petzold .
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Why are the Tigers deciding to focus their attention on depth options when the rotation could lose Tarik Skubal and more after 2026? There are a few reasons behind the team's logic.
Jack Flaherty , Gleyber Torres elevated the Detroit Tigers ' payroll
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Tigers didn't expect pitcher Jack Flaherty and second baseman Gleyber Torres to return when they signed contracts for the 2025 MLB campaign. Flaherty and Torres were expected to re-enter MLB free agency after taking "prove it" deals last offseason. Instead, Flaherty accepted his player option while Torres did the same with the qualifying offer.
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Due to those moves, Detroit has an extra $42 million on the payroll that was not expected this offseason. The Tigers' entire outlook changed when Flaherty and Torres returned, and while they are solid additions to the team for 2026, it has limited the team's spending abilities.
Obviously, the Tigers could spend more money if they desired to sign another pitcher or position player. Detroit only has Skubal for the 2026 MLB season, so it is logical to go "all in" before he enters free agency. However, that doesn't appear to be the way that Detroit is operating right now.
The Tigers should either go "all in" or trade the back-to-back AL Cy Young Award winner because not picking a lane only hurts the organization right now. Detroit could always increase the payroll, if necessary, but Flaherty and Torres seem to be holding the team back from more external options.
The current rotation also plays a big role in the decision.
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Detroit Tigers have a strong rotation with depth for 2026
Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Tigers currently have Skubal, Flaherty, Casey Mize , Reese Olson , and Troy Melton as the starting rotation heading into the 2026 MLB season. This doesn't even include the depth options of Keider Montero , Sawyer Gipson-Long , Drew Anderson, Ty Madden , and more.
The five pitchers in the projected rotation are likely to start the 2026 MLB season if there are no injuries, so there isn't a dire need for more elite starting pitching. Instead, the focus is on depth options if Detroit finds a deal it really likes during the offseason.
However, there is a strong case that another front-end starter should be signed this winter. After the 2026 MLB season, Olson and Melton are the only two current starting pitchers under contract. Skubal, Flaherty, and Mize will all enter free agency. Yet, the Tigers seem comfortable moving into 2026 with the current rotation, not worrying about what is coming in 12 months.
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Detroit will likely have a very different team going into the 2027 MLB season, but that is not the concern right now. The Tigers like their rotation and appear to be focused on other needs this winter. Hopefully, this game plan doesn't come back to bite the Tigers, but there is still time to change their minds and go "all in" with Skubal in 2026.
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