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Evaluating every Detroit Tigers position player entering 2025-26 MLB offseason. Who stays?
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- Evaluating every Detroit Tigers position player entering 2025-26 MLB offseason. Who stays?
This is Part 2 of a two-part series evaluating every player on the Tigers' roster heading into the offseason. You can read Part 1, on the pitchers, here .
The Detroit Tigers have 47 players on the 40-man roster, including 17 position players.
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Five days after the World Series, the Tigers need to reinstate seven players from the 60-day injured list, then remove at least seven players from the 40-man roster.
There are six unrestricted free agents: Right-handers Alex Cobb , Kyle Finnegan , Tommy Kahnle , Rafael Montero and Chris Paddack and second baseman Gleyber Torres . Three others could become free agents: Right-handers Jack Flaherty (player option), Paul Sewald (mutual option) and José Urquidy (team option).
TEAM GRADES: Collapse exposed flaws with hitting, pitching in 2025
Here's an assessment of how every position player from the Tigers' 40-man roster performed during the 2025 season, along with their stats, contract status and a letter grade:
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Catchers (2)
C Dillon Dingler
Age: 27.
2025 stats: 126 games, .278 AVG, 13 HR, .752 OPS, 4.9 BB%, 23.5 K%, 109 wRC+, 4.1 fWAR.
2026 contract status: Not yet eligible for arbitration.
Grade: A-.
The buzz: There was no bigger development for the Tigers in 2025 than Dingler becoming the No. 1 catcher. He thrived after taking over as starter in early April. He logged 1,011⅔ innings behind the plate, the most innings by a Tigers catcher since Alex Avila 's 1,017⅔ innings in 2014. He also posted a .752 OPS at the plate, the best mark by a Tigers catcher with at least 300 plate appearances since Eric Haase 's .748 OPS in 2022. Not only did Dingler's 4.1 fWAR lead the Tigers' position players, but his overall performance tied for third among MLB catchers. One more way to measure his value: Tarik Skubal had a 1.88 ERA and a 34.3% strikeout rate in 25 starts with Dingler, compared to a 3.86 ERA and a 23% strikeout rate in six starts without Dingler.
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C Jake Rogers
Age: 30.
2025 stats: 46 games, .187 AVG, 3 HR, .610 OPS, 10.6 BB%, 27.5 K%, 70 wRC+, 0.3 fWAR.
2026 contract status: Arbitration eligible, projected for $2.9 million.
Grade: C-.
The buzz: For Dingler to rise, Rogers had to fall into the role of backup catcher. He had established himself as the starter on the Opening Day roster, but an oblique strain in early April sidelined him for six weeks – and opened the door for Dingler to replace him. His playing time decreased significantly in 2025, but he remained a valuable presence behind the scenes by helping Dingler adjust to the starting role. He should return as backup in 2026, his final season before free agency.
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Infielders (8)
UTIL Javier Báez
Tigers shortstop Javier Baez reacts after grounded out against Mariners during the 14th inning of ALDS Game 5 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025.
Age: 32.
2025 stats: 126 games, .257 AVG, 12 HR, .680 OPS, 2.3 BB%, 24.9 K%, 86 wRC+, 1.4 fWAR.
2026 contract status: $24 million.
Grade: C.
The buzz: Báez is a candidate for American League Comeback Player of the Year. His offense improved from a .516 OPS in 2024 to a .680 OPS in 2025, while his defense improved from minus-4 to plus-3 defensive runs saved – this time across four positions instead of just shortstop. He enters 2026 with two years and $48 million remaining on his contract, and projects as the Tigers' primary shortstop next season. He still isn't worth what the Tigers are paying him, but in this case, something is better than nothing.
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UTIL Andy Ibáñez
Age: 32.
2025 stats: 91 games, .239 AVG, 4 HR, .653 OPS, 6.2 BB%, 13.5 K%, 84 wRC+, 0.4 fWAR.
2026 contract status: Arbitration eligible, projected for $1.8 million.
Grade: D.
The buzz: Ibáñez has appeared in 304 games for the Tigers from 2023-25, serving as a platoon hitter against left-handed pitchers. He hit .314 with a .915 OPS in his first 206 plate appearances against lefties, but he has hit just .227 with a .636 OPS in his last 201 plate appearances, dating back to July 21, 2024. In 2025, the Tigers demoted him to Triple-A Toledo in early June before recalling him in late July. There are better lefty specialists on the roster, so Ibáñez might not return to the Tigers in 2026.
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3B Jace Jung
Age: 25.
2025 stats: 21 games, .106 AVG, 0 HR, .343 OPS, 12.7 BB%, 29.1 K%, 9 wRC+, -0.3 fWAR.
2026 contract status: Not yet eligible for arbitration.
Grade: F.
The buzz: The former first-round pick continues to squander opportunities to stick in the big leagues. He played 34 games in 2024 and 21 games in 2025. In his two-year MLB career, he owns a .190 batting average with zero home runs and a .590 OPS, along with minus-7 defensive runs saved in 320 innings at third base. He overhauled his swing in mid-May and needs an extended opportunity to test it, though that chance might not happen with the Tigers.
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1B/2B/3B Colt Keith
Tigers designated hitter Colt Keith steals second base against Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford during the fourth inning of ALDS Game 5 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025.
Age: 24.
2025 stats: 137 games, .256 AVG, 13 HR, .746 OPS, 10.3 BB%, 21.8 K%, 109 wRC+, 1.6 fWAR.
2026 contract status: $4.3 million.
Grade: B-.
The buzz: Keith took a step forward from his rookie season of 2024, improving in OPS (.689 to .746), walk rate (6.5% to 10.3%) and average exit velocity (87.8 to 90 mph). He also expanded his defensive versatility by adding first base to his résumé, complementing his experience at third base and second base. The only issue: He didn't tap into his All-Star potential – or hit 20 home runs – during his age-22 and age-23 seasons, which is a tad disappointing. He will try again in 2026.
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UTIL Zach McKinstry
Age: 30.
2025 stats: 144 games, .259 AVG, 12 HR, .771 OPS, 9.0 BB%, 21.7 K%, 114 wRC+, 3.2 fWAR.
2026 contract status: Arbitration eligible, projected for $3.5 million.
Grade: B+.
The buzz: McKinstry broke through in 2025 after hitting .225 with a .638 OPS across 266 games in 2023-24. Beyond the offense, he remained stable as an elite baserunner and a do-it-all defender. He played seven of nine positions: third base, shortstop, right field, left field, second base and first base, and even recorded one out as a pitcher. McKinstry should return in a similar utility role in 2026, but don't count on the same offensive output.
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LESSONS: 10 things we learned about Tigers: Riley Greene running out of time to become superstar
SS Trey Sweeney
Age: 25.
2025 stats: 118 games, .196 AVG, 6 HR, .548 OPS, 8.0 BB%, 28.2 K%, 53 wRC+, -0.9 fWAR.
2026 contract status: Not yet eligible for arbitration.
Grade: F.
The buzz: The Tigers showed up to Opening Day with Sweeney as their starting shortstop, but he fumbled the opportunity to become the shortstop of the future. His offense declined from a .642 OPS in 2024 to a .548 OPS in 2025, while his defense declined from plus-3 to minus-5 defensive runs saved at shortstop. Sweeney projects as shortstop depth in Triple-A Toledo in 2026 – unless he fixes his flat bat path that's causing him to struggle against high-velocity fastballs.
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1B Spencer Torkelson
Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) throws turf during the third inning of ALDS Game 4 at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025.
Age: 26.
2025 stats: 155 games, .240 AVG, 31 HR, .789 OPS, 11.1 BB%, 26 K%, 118 wRC+, 2.3 fWAR.
2026 contract status: Arbitration eligible, projected for $5.1 million.
Grade: B.
The buzz: Torkelson was demoted twice to Triple-A Toledo in his first three seasons, but in his fourth, he spent the whole season in the big leagues. He slugged his way onto the Opening Day roster and hit 31 home runs for the second time in his four-year MLB career, along with career highs in batting average (.240), OPS (.789) and walk rate (11.1%). Torkelson can still improve, but the Tigers should feel confident in him as their everyday first baseman in 2026.
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2B Gleyber Torres
Age: 28.
2025 stats: 145 games, .256 AVG, 16 HR, .745 OPS, 13.5 BB%, 16.1 K%, 113 wRC+, 2.6 fWAR.
2026 contract status: Free agent.
Grade: B+.
The buzz: Torres ended up as one of the steals of free agency after signing a one-year, $15 million contract. At the All-Star break, his .387 on-base percentage ranked sixth among 155 qualified players, though he struggled down the stretch. He hit .286 with an .816 OPS in his first 89 games, followed by hitting .210 with a .639 OPS in his final 56 games. Torres would've been in the mix for a nine-figure contract in his second round of free agency, but his poor finish – compounded by a hernia he played through in the final month – may have tanked that potential.
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Outfielders (7)
RF/DH Kerry Carpenter
Age: 28.
2025 stats: 130 games, .252 AVG, 26 HR, .788 OPS, 3.9 BB%, 22.8 K%, 115 wRC+, 1.5 fWAR.
2026 contract status: Arbitration eligible, projected for $3.5 million.
Grade: B.
The buzz: Carpenter hasn't stayed healthy for a full season – suffering from a lumbar spine strain in 2022, a shoulder sprain in 2023, a lumbar spine stress fracture in 2024 and a hamstring strain in 2025 – but he played a career-high 130 games in 2025. Despite that, he posted a career-worst .788 OPS and failed to escape the strong-side platoon role because he still can't hit left-handed pitchers. When locked in, he is one of the most dangerous left-handed sluggers in baseball, but he will likely be confined to facing right-handed pitchers again in 2026.
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LF Riley Greene
Tigers left fielder Riley Greene reacts after batting a foul ball against Mariners during the second inning of Game 4 of ALDS at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025
Age: 25.
2025 stats: 157 games, .258 AVG, 36 HR, .806 OPS, 7.0 BB%, 30.7 K%, 121 wRC+, 2.9 fWAR.
2026 contract status: Arbitration eligible, projected for $6.6 million.
Grade: B+.
The buzz: Greene is the Tigers' best position player, but he didn't have a complete performance in 2025. He hit .284 with an .879 OPS across 95 games in the first half, then he hit .218 with a .694 OPS across 62 games in the second half. A better second half from Greene would've made the difference in the AL Central, where the Tigers blew a 15½-game lead to the Cleveland Guardians on the final day of the regular season. He crushed a career-high 36 home runs, but he also led the AL (and set a Tigers record) with 201 strikeouts. One major positive: Greene stayed healthy for the first time in his four-year MLB career. He needs to cut down on strikeouts (and make more contact) if he wants to reach superstar status in 2026.
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THREE OPTIONS: What's next for Tigers and Tarik Skubal?
DH/RF Jahmai Jones
Age: 28.
2025 stats: 72 games, .287 AVG, 7 HR, .937 OPS, 12.0 BB%, 21.3 K%, 159 wRC+, 1.1 fWAR.
2026 contract status: Not yet eligible for arbitration.
Grade: C+.
The buzz: If the Tigers cut Ibáñez, it will likely be because of Jones' emergence as a right-handed hitter who crushes left-handed pitchers. He made his Tigers debut in early June and stuck around through the postseason in mid-October. His defensed doesn't impress, but he fits as a weapon off the bench, particularly as a pinch-hitter for Carpenter in the designated hitter spot. Expect Jones to return in that role after hitting .288 with a .970 OPS in 122 plate appearances against lefties.
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DH/RF Justyn-Henry Malloy
Age: 25.
2025 stats: 52 games, .221 AVG, 1 HR, .654 OPS, 15.7 BB%, 25.2 K%, 92 wRC+, 0.0 fWAR.
2026 contract status: Not yet eligible for arbitration.
Grade: C.
The buzz: The Tigers once believed Malloy could help reshape their offensive identity, but after 123 games in his two-year MLB career, he hasn't developed into a mainstay. He has hit just .209 with a .657 OPS, plays almost exclusively against left-handed pitchers and rarely gets outfield reps due to defensive struggles. He posted a 15.7% walk rate and 25.2% strikeout rate in 2025, but there's no reason to believe he will spend more time in MLB than Triple-A in 2026.
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CF Parker Meadows
Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows reacts after striking out against Mariners in the 14th inning of ALDS Game 5 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025.
Age: 25.
2025 stats: 58 games, .215 AVG, 4 HR, .621 OPS, 9.9 BB%, 26.3 K%, 75 wRC+, 0.2 fWAR.
2026 contract status: Not yet eligible for arbitration.
Grade: D-.
The buzz: Meadows entered 2025 as an X-factor after elite production on offense and defense in the second half of 2024, only to be sidelined by a rare nerve injury in his arm during spring training. He missed 60 games with that injury, then another 34 games with a quad injury. More surprising than his offensive struggles: Meadows was worth minus-1 defensive runs saved in center field, a collapse from plus-5 in 2024. He needs to shine in a full season in 2026 to secure his role as the Tigers' center fielder of the future.
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RF/CF Wenceel Pérez
Age: 25.
2025 stats: 100 games, .244 AVG, 13 HR, .738 OPS, 8.1 BB%, 22.7 K%, 103 wRC+, 1.7 fWAR.
2026 contract status: Not yet eligible for arbitration.
Grade: C+.
The buzz: Pérez provided clutch hits at times and support in center field amid injuries, but he slumped down the stretch – hitting .123 with a .403 OPS in his final 17 games after hitting .272 with an .816 OPS in his first 83. His biggest development? The switch-hitter – albeit one who's better against right-handed pitchers – posted an .865 OPS against left-handed pitchers in 2025, up from just a .594 OPS in 2024. Pérez deserves a key role in 2026, but he probably shouldn't be an everyday player.
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POINT THE FINGER: Tigers blame late-season collapse on bad offense, expect changes in offseason
UTIL Matt Vierling
Age: 29.
2025 stats: 31 games, .239 AVG, 1 HR, .617 OPS, 7.0 BB%, 24.0 K%, 76 wRC+, 0.0 fWAR.
2026 contract status: Arbitration eligible, projected for $3.1 million.
Grade: D.
The buzz: Vierling delivered a career-best 2024, then struggled with health in 2025. A significant shoulder injury and a lingering oblique injury caused multiple stops and starts, producing the worst season of his five-year MLB career. He is a leader in the clubhouse and doesn't become a free agent until after the 2027 season, so the Tigers might opt to hold onto him, but it's reasonable to wonder whether he will be back in 2026.
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Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold .
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers roster: Evaluating every player ahead of MLB offseason
