ESPN's confused analysis of Tigers' offseason still gives them too much credit

ESPN’s midwinter “Stock Watch” is trying to be kind to Detroit: it has the Tigers 10th, at 86.2 projected wins with 56.9 percent playoff odds. 

Bradford Doolittle says he doesn’t ‘get the passive Tigers,’ and that’s the tell. In his write-up, he lays out the case that Detroit’s window is open — playoff momentum, a strong pitching foundation, a winnable division — then immediately points out the contradiction: the Tigers are acting like they have time to wait.

That’s where the “still giving them too much credit” part comes in. ESPN calls it an “annoyance” that Tarik Skubal is headed for an arbitration hearing. Not sure if that’s an annoyance. It sounds more like a franchise-defining tone-setter. 

Tigers’ cautious offseason quietly highlights a painful urgency gap

The hearing window for Skubal and the Tigers will be between Jan. 26–Feb. 13. That’s a headline that will linger over everything, especially when you’re trying to convince the league (and your own clubhouse) that you’re serious about winning right now.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s “benefit of the doubt” approach to the bullpen is generous. They note Detroit’s bullpen doesn’t project with the strikeout juice you’d expect from a truly dominant group, but waves it off because the Tigers have earned some trust lately. Fair. And also, if you’re going to trust the pen, then actually finish the job on the roster around it.

Detroit has invested in the bullpen. The Tigers added Kenley Jansen on a one-year deal, and it includes a 2027 club option. They also brought back Kyle Finnegan on a two-year, $19 million deal, with the salary structure spelled out. 

That's a real effort. But it also highlights that it’s missing the move that makes pitchers feel like they’re not going to have to be perfect every night.

ESPN mentions the offense needs “a splash or two,” and there’s “plenty of space” for a middle-of-the-order anchor — on both the depth chart and the payroll.  It even name-drops Cody Bellinger as an ideal fit. 

And that’s the entire story. Detroit keeps getting evaluated like a team whose best argument is potential.

ESPN ends with, “The time is now, folks.” 

Cool. Now the hard part is on the Tigers on preventing it from just being a slogan.