3 free agent outfielders who are totally unrealistic for the Tigers, 2 who make sense

Someone go wake Chris Ilitch up and remind him that he needs to spend a little money this offseason if he plans on the Tigers sniffing the playoffs.

Last offseason, the Tigers spent a lot of bad money. This offseason is going to be a shot at redemption, but it just doesn’t feel like Ilitch or Scott Harris plan on making any big moves. There’s a chance they fill in some positions, perhaps in the outfield and maybe a top-three rotational starting pitcher, and definitely the bullpen.

The outfield needs someone who can hold down a starting spot as top prospect Zyhir Hope eases his way to the majors over the next year or two. Kerry Carpenter and Parker Meadows can never stay healthy and the young prospects who got a shot didn’t exactly explode onto the scene outside of Max Clark.

Free agency could help the Tigers a lot, but everyone needs to be realistic about who this organization would actually pay and who they wouldn’t even consider.

Which three free agent outfielders are completely unrealistic and which two are possible?

Unrealistic: Seiya Suzuki

Let’s just get this out of the way right away: no, Seiya Suzuki will not be a Tiger next season. For one, Chris Ilitch is not going to spend upwards of $25-30 million a year for anyone. And two, Detroit is going to pursue an elite level outfielder with some young stars coming up through the system and projected to reach the majors in the next year.

Suzuki hit .270 with 26 home runs and 86 RBI with the Cubs this past season and he’s going to demand a massive payday.

One of the regular over-payers is going to jump in and offer this man $30 million a year at the age of 32 and it won’t be the Tigers. He’ll be playing for the Red Sox, Yankees, or Dodgers next season if it’s not the Cubs.

Realistic: George Springer

The Tigers don’t need some young outfielder (spoiler: there are none) to step in and take control of right or left field, so that’s why George Springer makes sense. Detroit may have a void in right field currently that was being filled by Brett Callahan and Ben Malgeri at the end of the year, but with Carpenter and Meadows always hurt, it would make sense to add a veteran like Springer to take Hope under his wing.

Springer isn’t a slouch despite just turning 37. He still has some pop left in that bat, hitting 15 homers in 126 games with the Blue Jays this year and 32 last year.

If the Tigers want a veteran who can bring the locker room together and help grow some of the young prospects and who’s not going to command a ton of money, Springer is it. His projected salary on Spotrac is about $10 million. That’s less than what Detroit paid for Justin Verlander to return and be hurt for most of the season.

Unrealistic: Randy Arozarena

Although the Mariners were pretty disappointing this season, Randy Arozarena had the best season of his career, hitting .281 with 26 homers and 79 RBI. So yeah, he’s not going to be a Tiger for what’s looking like $20 million+ per year.

The Tigers are not going to spend all that money on an outfielder over the age of 30 when they feel like they have what they need for the future in the farm system. They’re looking to sign a player for a year or two to bridge the gap between a by-committee right field role to the top 25 prospect waiting in the wings (Hope).

Arozarena would be a fun signing, but Ilitch isn’t that bold.

Realistic: Randal Grichuk

Noticing a trend with the realistic outfielder options? Randal Grichuk is a veteran who’s not going to require a long-term deal at the age of 35 and he’s coming off a very productive season with the Chicago White Sox. He was a key piece to Chicago’s playoff puzzle and nearly got the White Sox to the ALCS.

After a forgettable 2025 season and start to '26, Grichuk needed a change of scenery and got it by hitting .299 with 15 home runs and 44 RBI in 117 games with the White Sox. He needed a fresh start, got it, and then just flourished.

Grichuk has been dealt around quite a bit over the past few years, playing for the Rockies, Angels, Diamondbacks, Royals, Yankees, and White Sox since 2023. That may be a little scary, but again, the Tigers don’t need a long-term option, just another solid bat and veteran who won’t require a huge contract. This almost makes too much sense.

Unrealistic: Ian Happ

We started on an unrealistic note, so let’s end on one. The Tigers might need another outfielder to hold down a corner instead of a committee situation, but Ilitch is just never going to be the guy who outbids some big market spenders and Ian Happ is going to demand a hefty contract after the season he just had.

Happ has spent his entire 10-year career with the Cubs and has been a pretty solid player for a decade. After four straight seasons of 20+ homers and 65+ RBI, he’s earned himself a nice payday that Ilitch will avoid at all costs — literally.

Yes, Happ would be nice, but also the Tigers have too many sub-.250 hitters.

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