Detroit Tigers: How the looming work stoppage could alter their offseason

With reports of a labor dispute and inevitable MLB lockout, this offseason may look different than initially planned for the Detroit Tigers

It’s a slimy crevice of baseball–issues of collective bargaining will very shortly be filling our favorite publications and social media timelines for the latest updates regarding the current CBA, which is due to expire on December 1st. For the Detroit Tigers, this could mean a drastically different offseason than expected.

In a recent article by Ronald Blum of the Associated Press, he calls a work stoppage “almost certain” on December 2nd; a development that is expected to have several domino-like repercussions that could affect free agency, trades, and potentially the structure of a 2022 season.

As Blum notes in the same piece, a lockout would represent the first stoppage in 26 years, although some would argue that the 2020 season presented a stoppage of sorts. Given how the pandemic was handled and how long it took to agree to play, it is fair to assume a lockout is likely given the issues that are on the docket for discussion.

The Detroit Tigers were poised to make several moves to address their needs this offseason; including shortstop, catcher, and starting pitching. Save the catching position, which our own Danielle Obal outlined nicely here, the market for their needs is expected to be strong; well-balanced with suitors and talent.

Let’s review this expected work stoppage, as well as the potential incoming changes with the next CBA, through a Detroit Tigers lense to see how the club might be conditioned heading into the 2022 season.