Kevin McGonigle compared to polarizing All-Star Tigers fans hoped to forget

The Detroit Tigers' offseason has confirmed that, for the most part, Scott Harris and Co. are comfortable running things back. There's been a focus on the pitching staff, adding Drew Anderson to the rotation and Kenley Jansen to the bullpen, but the Tigers haven't been in a rush to make a change to the position-player side of their roster.

It's an odd stance to have, considering how the Tigers looked at the end of the 2025 season. But if there is hope, it's that top prospect Kevin McGonigle could be a surprise contributor in 2026.

McGonigle had a lengthy runway at third base during the Arizona Fall League last November, and that has placed him on the fast track to the major league roster. It might be unlikely to expect McGonigle to break camp with the Tigers, but ESPN's Buster Olney expects the 21-year-old to be a fixture in Detroit's starting lineup by the halfway point of the season.

To get his point across, Olney compared McGonigle to an All-Star infielder Tigers fans swore to never talk about again. The ESPN insider professed that McGonigle will remind A.J. Hinch of a player he knows all too well in Alex Bregman.

Tigers are forced to embrace Alex Bregman drama one last time

There's certainly some irony in that comparison. The Tigers have been at the center of Bregman's free agency drama over the past year. Detroit made a push to sign the All-Star third baseman last offseason, and after negotiations took a nasty turn, they didn't exactly renew their interest this offseason. Bregman inked a five-year deal with the Chicago Cubs that includes a full no-trade clause and no opt-outs, so the chances are the drama is over.

But for as much as Tigers may cringe at the mention of Bregman, McGongile earning a comp to the former Astros first-round pick certainly is a best-case scenario. Free agency drama aside, Bregman has been one of the best offensive third basemen in the league since making his debut in 2016. That is exactly what the Tigers need in 2026 if their contention window is going to remain open.

If that is how things play out for McGonigle and the Tigers in 2026, perhaps the inactivity from the team this offseason will be forgotten. If not, many will still wonder why the emphasis was placed on a prospect providing an immediate impact on a roster that ran its course at the end of last season.