Latest slew of MLB free agency predictions has Tigers coming up embarrassingly short

The Detroit Tigers have made a pair of identical additions in free agency this offseason, signing starting pitcher Alex Cobb and second baseman Gleyber Torres to one-year, $15 million deals. However, given how many remaining free agents have been linked to the Tigers in various rumors, they may not be done adding.

In a recent column for The Athletic (subscription required) predicting where the top 15 remaining free agents will sign, former MLB general manager Jim Bowden addresses several players who have been connected to the Tigers. On one hand, it's a positive sign that the Tigers are still considered to be in the mix for multiple top free agents. On the other hand, Bowden's predictions leave little room for optimism that Detroit will sign any of them.

Jim Bowden's MLB free agency predictions has Tigers coming up embarrassingly short

The name most frequently linked to the Tigers in free agency has been slugging third baseman Alex Bregman, and there is mutual interest there. However, Bregman is seeking a $200 million payday, which is almost certainly more than the Tigers are willing to spend. Bregman has also been linked to the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox, and Bowden predicts that he will land with the latter.

There's also the question of a reunion with right-handed pitcher Jack Flaherty, which Bowden says is "not out of the question." Flaherty pitched well in Detroit before being flipped to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline and helping them win a World Series title, and he and Tarik Skubal make a formidable one-two punch at the top of the Tigers' rotation. However, Flaherty has plenty of suitors, and Bowden believes his best fit is with the Atlanta Braves.

Next up is Jose Quintana, a veteran left-hander who would make a solid rotation piece for the pitching-hungry Tigers. At age 35, he is likely open to signing a short-term deal, which should appeal to the Tigers. However, Bowden lists Detroit as one of four teams that have expressed interest in Quintana, ultimately giving the edge to the Kansas City Royals.

One final intriguing option is right-hander Jeff Hoffman, who is interested in making the transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation after two strong seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies. While he wouldn't get the opportunity to do that in Philadelphia, the Tigers are one of the teams that could be amenable to adding him to the back of their rotation in 2025. However, Bowden predicts Hoffman will sign with another National League East team, the Washington Nationals, this offseason.

Pretty brutal, if you ask us.

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