Detroit Tigers offseason news, rumors, 2023 payroll, and more

Here’s your place to stay up to date with the Detroit Tigers’ offseason!

The Detroit Tigers have officially entered the offseason and reached the point where they can crank up the heat on the stove and let things unfold. The World Series officially came to an end after the Houston Astros won it at home this past weekend.

For the Detroit Tigers fans, they got to watch a veteran Justin Verlander win his second World Series and continue to age like fine wine. But, the focus can shift as the Tigers’ new regime of front office executives start to really get their hands dirty with this organization.

There are plenty of expectations to be met this offseason. Whether it’s upgrading a position, firming up the starting rotation, and possibly improving the farm system in any way possible. Scott Harris has his work cut out for him but it should be an exciting offseason.

That said, it’s time to get up to date on the Tigers’ situation and be able to know where to look for more updates. This piece will serve as a tracker to allow fans to stay up-to-date on the Tigers’ latest roster updates, payroll updates, rumors updates, etc.

The offseason will continue to present a plethora of chances to the Detroit Tigers organization. Between new faces joining the organization, new players, possible trades, injury updates, and a better idea of what the Tigers roster will look like when the 2023 season gets underway.

With plenty of different areas to cover, stay up to date with all of the latest information below. Each section contains a different area of information and will be updated as the offseason continues on.

Check back for updates to the payroll, transactions, and roster construction sections to get a feel for what the Tigers’ offseason is shaping up to be. Also, check out the rumors section to make sure you stay up to date on the latest surrounding the Tigers.

Detroit Tigers 2023 payroll

Detroit Tigers 2023 projected payroll as of today: $79,525,000

Detroit Tigers 2023 projected payroll ceiling: $101,629, 394

Available to spend: $22,104,294

All information courtesy of Detroit Tigers payroll via Sportrac.

Detroit Tigers transactions

Most recent transactions will be at the top of the list with some of the minute transactions being exempted from the tracker as the offseason goes on. (i.e., no need to note that Daniel Norris elects free agency once the team starts filling holes and a minute contract is well off the books.)

Andy Ibáñez INF/RHH – Claimed by Tigers from Texas Rangers off of waivers.

Daz Cameron OF/RHH –  Claimed off of waivers by Baltimore Orioles.

Victor Reyes OF/SHH – Elects Free Agency after being outrighted in roster move.

Tucker Barnhart C/SHH – Elects Free Agency after a year of lackluster performance.

Daniel Norris, LHP – Elects Free Agency after being mid-summer acquisition.

Andrew Chafin, LHP – Officially rejects $6.5 2023 player option with Tigers and hits free agent market

Jonathan Schoop, INF/RHH – Opts into $7.5 million 2023 player option with Tigers, avoiding free agency.

Sean Guenther, LHP – Claimed off of waivers from the Miami Marlins. Recovering From Tommy John Surgery.

Bligh Madris, OF/LHH - Claimed off of waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays, bringing in one of Metzler's old friends from his prior organization.

Jeimer Candelario INF/SHH - Harold Castro UTL/LHH, and Willi Castro UTL/SHH - Tigers non-tender three players amid continued roster churn.

Austin Meadows OF/LHH - Agreed to a one-year contract to avoid arbitration coming in just $300,000 above his projected valuation from MLB Trade Rumors.

Matthew Boyd LHP - Reached a free-agent agreement with the Tigers. Former left-hander signed a contract worth $10 million.

Detroit Tigers rumors

• Detroit Tigers projected to be big spenders in offseason

• Four players the Detroit Tigers are linked to during free agency. The pre-Thanksgiving version.

• Scott Harris still intends to hire a general manager to serve under him in the front office.

• The Detroit Tigers may be linking up with Toronto Blue Jays on a potential trade to bring in a catcher.

• Filling the catching void is a goal of the Detroit Tigers and Willson Contreras might just be an answer for them to consider.

• Way-too-early draft primer: Detroit Tigers slated to take a collegiate outfielder next summer

• The Tampa Bay Rays had a roster crunch and targeting Brandon Lowe might just be an answer.

• Adding an outfield bat might lead the Detroit Tigers to target Hunter Renfroe via trade.

• Four free agents for the Detroit Tigers to target after many players are non-tendered.

Detroit Tigers arbitration-eligible players

• Drew Hutchison — $1.8 million // Has been designated for assignment already
• Joe Jimenez — $2.6 million
• Jeimer Candelario — $7 million // Non-tendered by Tigers, article linked above
• Jose Cisnero — $2.2 million
• Victor Reyes — $2.2 million // Elected Free Agency after being outrighted as linked above
• Austin Meadows —  $4 million // Agreed on one-year, $4.3 million contract to avoid arbitration
• Harold Castro — $2.6 million // Non-tendered by Tigers, article linked above
• Gregory Soto — $3.1 million
• Tyler Alexander — $1.6 million // Avoided arbitration with a one-year, $1.87 million contract
• Willi Castro — $1.7 million // Non-tendered by Tigers, article linked above
• Rony Garcia — $1 million
• Kyle Funkhouser — $800,000 // DFA'd before Rule 5 Draft

All estimates are courtesy of MLB Trade Rumors model. MCB’s own, Matthew Scheidel also covered the projections and what could happen earlier this fall. Check it out here.

Detroit Tigers free agents lost

• Tucker Barnhart – free agent

• Daniel Norris – free agent

• Victor Reyes – free agent

• Andrew Chafin – free agent (opt-out piece linked above)

• Drew Hutchison – DFA’d (linked above)

• Ali Sanchez – DFA’d in catcher swap

• Miguel Diaz - DFA'd, re-signed minor league deal

• Kyle Funkhouser - DFA'd

• Willi Castro -- Non-tendered at deadline

• Harold Castro -- Non-tendered at deadline

• Jeimer Candelario -- Non-tendered at deadline, signed contract with Washington Nationals.

Detroit Tigers 40-man roster

Detroit Tigers’ top prospects for 2023

Lastly, to finish things off, we have a list of the Detroit Tigers Top 10 Prospects as we get into the offseason. This list was compiled using the input of MCB”s Site Experts and Contributors to come up with our own Top 10 list.

1. Colt Keith — INF/RHH
2. Jackson Jobe — RHP
3. Jace Jung — INF/LHH
4. Wilmer Flores — RHP
5. Cristian Santana –INF/RHH
6. Ty Madden — RHP
7. Izaac Pacheco — INF/LHH
8. Roberto Campos — OF/RHH
9. Peyton Graham — INF/RHH
10. Reese Olson — RHP

Honorable Mentions: Dillon Dingler, Parker Meadows, Wenceel Perez,  etc.

Besides our MCB version of the list, those looking for an update can head over to MLB dot com for their rendition of the Tigers’ top prospects at this time. On top of that, they can also check out the FanGraphs edition of the Tigers Top Prospect List as well!

Follow along with MCB for all of the latest updates this offseason! We’ll have links updated on this piece with all the latest moves that help bring some fresh air into this Tigers organization.