Another attainable Tigers free agent target could land with aggressive Orioles

An underrated need for the Detroit Tigers is the starting rotation. Forget about the Tarik Skubal drama for a minute and take a look at what the club is running out behind him. Jack Flaherty is looking for a bounce-back. Reese Olson has yet to prove that he can stay healthy for a full season. Casey Mize was finally healthy and productive for the majority of the season, but even so, can you really trust him?

Beyond that, Skubal's the only lefty, and if he were to go down, Detroit would struggle to insert another southpaw to balance the rotation. Even more concerning than the 2026 picture is what 2027 holds. Skubal, Flaherty, and Mize are all free agents at season's end. There's a chance that none of them will be back with the Tigers.

So, the rotation could use a true No. 2 for 2026, but also, the Tigers would be wise to start planning for the future now. As good as the farm system is, there aren't really any arms on the pitching side that are banging down the door to the bigs.

To that end, Scott Harris as to do something more than add Drew Anderson. Right? Right.

A potential fit who has been linked to Detroit in the past is former Philadelphia Phillies southpaw Ranger Suarez. The 30-year-old fits the bill as a No. 2, would provide insurance for 2027, and would add balance to the rotation. The only problem is that other teams, including the uber-aggressive Baltimore Orioles, are eyeing Suarez.

Ranger Suarez would be a perfect Tigers' target, but the Orioles are threatening to steal him away

Baltimore has done a lot to remake its starting rotation this winter, but so far, they've yet to address the biggest question at the top. Suarez is a borderline ace, and without one, the thought is the Orioles are going to continue with the same level of aggression they've displayed earlier this winter in the hopes of landing one.

According to MLB insider Jim Bowden, the Orioles are circling in on Suarez and are believed to be close to landing him.

Most contract predictions put Suarez firmly within the Tigers' budget. ESPN projected a four-year, $92 million deal at the beginning of the winter. MLB Trade Rumors' prediction was slightly more bullish at five years and $115 million. Either way, these aren't unreasonable numbers for a guy who posted a 3.20 ERA in 2025 and a 3.46 mark in 2024.

If Detroit wants to keep Skubal, in addition to a boatload of money, they need to prove to him that the organization is serious about winning. If the Tigers are being realistic, they can't go into next offseason needing to replace three-fifths of their rotation.

Signing Suarez would solve both issues, but if the Tigers get too cute and try to wait out his market, they'll find him off in Baltimore, leading that staff to a hopeful playoff run.