Insider's tough (but true) assessment of Riley Greene could change Tigers' outlook

For two years, the Detroit Tigers have built their identity around the idea of Riley Greene becoming their next great hitter – the left-handed, middle-of-the-order bat who could anchor an offense for a decade. But 2025 showed that, while Greene is very good, he may not be transformational.

Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press noted that Greene "missed an opportunity to evolve from an All-Star-caliber player into a true superstar, regressing on both offense and defense from 2024 to 2025." Despite an increased home run total, Greene saw a decline in several key areas in 2025, including batting average, walk rate, strikeout rate, left field defense and sprint speed.

This is an excellent – and necessary – reality check for both Greene and the TIgers. It isn’t just a critique of a player; it’s a mirror for where the franchise really stands – talented enough to compete, but still lacking the superstar engine that separates playoff contenders from true threats.

Greene's raw power (36 home runs) is real, but it came with a dangerous increase in swing-and-miss and a loss of plate discipline. His on-base skills and contact rates are moving in the wrong direction for a supposed franchise anchor. His defense and athleticism have regressed, which makes him less versatile and more dependent on his bat.

Detroit may no longer treat Greene as the offensive centerpiece around which everything else revolves. It's possible he's a foundational piece, not a pillar. That distinction changes how they build – and how they spend.

Before 2025, Greene looked like a natural extension candidate – someone you’d buy out arbitration years for and lock up through age 30. Now? The calculus changes somewhat. A long-term deal looks riskier, since Greene's 2025 regression exposed real holes. Detroit might wait another full season to see if he adjusts before committing big money. That patience could free up resources to target external offensive help – something the team badly needs.

In other words, the Tigers might pivot from “build around Greene” to “build with Greene,” leaving room to add a true elite bat or veteran leader to complement him rather than bet everything on him.

Tigers may have to face reality that Riley Greene is an All-Star, not a superstar

If this is the case, the Tigers' front office should also prioritize athleticism and defense in corner spots, since Greene's metrics make him a defensive liability; and considering a move to right field or DH if his sprint speed and reaction time continue to dip.

The Tigers’ contention timeline doesn’t shorten, but the blueprint changes. Greene goes from “untouchable core piece” to “valuable, but replaceable contributor.” It’s not an indictment of Greene, but it’s a reality reset for a franchise that's been waiting for its next superstar to arrive.

Greene’s 2025 season proves he’s an All-Star-caliber player — valuable, powerful, exciting — but not a generational cornerstone. And that changes everything. His regression didn't doom the Tigers, but it revealed what they still need to become great.

Ultimately, Greene's plateau redefines the Tigers' reality – they're close, but they're not complete.