4 division rivals the Tigers can target in free agency for 2025

The Detroit Tigers are entering an important offseason as they look to build upon a magical 2024 season that seemed to mark the unofficial opening of their competitive window.

As president of baseball operations Scott Harris looks to make improvements to the Tigers' roster heading into 2025, he may not even need to look beyond the American League Central Division for some viable free-agent candidates who can meet the club's needs.

It's no secret that the Tigers will be looking to reinforce their pitching staff, so that's where our primary focus is going to be.

4 division rivals Tigers can target in free agency for 2025

Matthew Boyd (LHP, Cleveland Guardians)

Imagine if Tarik Skubal's mentor-turned-chief division rival joined forces with him atop the Tigers' starting rotation. That could be the case if Detroit reunited with free-agent southpaw Matthew Boyd in 2025.

Boyd, who previously spent two separate stints with the Tigers, spent the 2024 season with the Cleveland Guardians looking to get his injury-plagued career back on track. He pitched to a 2.72 ERA over 39 2/3 innings with Cleveland during the regular season and posted a stellar 0.77 ERA in the postseason.

At 33 years old, his long-term health remains a concern, but a reunion for Boyd and the Tigers could make a lot of sense at the right price.

Shane Bieber (RHP, Cleveland Guardians)

Boyd's teammate Shane Bieber made just two starts for Cleveland in 2024 before undergoing Tommy John surgery, which will likely sideline him until mid-2025. It would be a risk for the Tigers (or any team) to sign the injured right-hander, but the hope would be that he could return to his 2022 form, when he was one of the best pitchers in baseball with a 2.88 ERA across 200 innings. If the Tigers are willing to gamble on a comeback, the 29-year-old could be a big get for them in late 2025 and beyond.

Anthony DeSclafani (RHP, Minnesota Twins)

Anthony DeSclafani would be another high-risk, veteran right-hander for the Tigers to consider. You may have forgotten that he even played for an AL Central Division rival because, well, he technically didn't. The Minnesota Twins acquired him from the Seattle Mariners in the Jorge Polanco trade last offseason, but he underwent surgery on his right elbow and missed the entire 2024 season before he could ever throw a pitch for the team. Originally acquired as a back-of-the-rotation option for Minnesota, DeSclafani could provide some veteran depth on a young Detroit staff.

Mike Soroka (RHP, Chicago White Sox)

If the Tigers look for some bullpen assistance this offseason, Mike Soroka could be an option. At only 27 years old, he is a former first-round pick and a 2019 All-Star when he played for the Atlanta Braves, but he has fallen on hard times since injuries sidelined him for two seasons in 2021-22.

The Braves traded Soroka to the Chicago White Sox last offseason, and he had a forgettable 0-10 season with a 4.74 ERA over 25 appearances, though his move to the bullpen provided hope for his future in baseball. His pitch-mix seemed to work much better in that role. Soroka's 2024 numbers may not do much to entice the Tigers, but it could theoretically lower the cost of acquiring him in the hopes that he has a bounce-back season on a better team.

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