3 upcoming Tigers free agents who have been good but don't need to be re-signed

The Detroit Tigers have the best record in the American League and look poised for another deep playoff run, thanks in large part to some of the pending free-agent role players they added to bolster their depth in 2025.

These players have given the Tigers exactly what they needed during the 2025 campaign, from stability and mentorship to spark and versatility. But with factors like age and a limited ceiling making them short-term solutions only, they don't fit the 2026 plan for a Tigers team with a rebuild-to-contender arc that demands younger, long-term pieces.

3 upcoming Tigers free agents who have been good but don't need to be re-signed

Tommy Kahnle

The Tigers signed Tommy Kahnle to a one-year, $7.75 million contract in 2025, making him the team's highest-paid reliever. The signing has been called into question ever since a sudden midseason decline pushed him out of high-leverage situations for a stretch in August, but he seems to be rediscovering his form at just the right time. Beyond the numbers, Kahnle's postseason and late-inning experience has been valuable for a young Tigers roster pushing toward contention.

In other words, Kahnle’s 2025 value has been real. He has given Detroit stability, leadership and solid innings when they needed them. But given his age (he turned 36 in August), health history and the organization’s push toward youth and long-term roster building, the Tigers can appreciate what he’s done without feeling pressured to bring him back in 2026.

Charlie Morton

Since he arrived at the trade deadline, Charlie Morton has given Detroit a stabilizing veteran presence behind ace Tarik Skubal. Even at 41, he’s still competitive, eating innings and keeping the team in games. For a Tigers team on the rise, Morton has been the “bridge” starter, ensuring they weren’t overly reliant on unproven arms as they embark on another postseason run.

That said, Morton will turn 42 in 2026, and Detroit simply can’t count on him staying effective. At best, he’s a one-year stopgap, not part of the long-term plan. Any money spent on Morton could be redirected toward a younger free-agent starter who fits the Tigers' contention window. (Or, dare we hope, a possible Skubal extension?)

Jahmai Jones

Since signing a minor league deal before the season, Jahmai Jones has carved out a role with the Tigers as a utility infielder/outfielder, hitting enough to stick and providing defensive flexibility. He’s been an energy guy who filled roster gaps when injuries struck.

Jones has earned respect as a grinder and spark plug. In a year when Detroit needed secondary contributors, he has delivered quality bench production. That said, he has a limited ceiling as a role player, and he is not a long-term solution at any position for the Tigers.

Carrying Jones in 2026 could block the Tigers' younger, higher-upside players from taking the utility and depth roles he’s been filling. Plus, every offseason brings available veterans who can offer similar bench versatility at low cost. Jones has been a useful stopgap for the Tigers, but he’s not irreplaceable.