Longshot Tigers free agent target is not coming to Detroit after latest contract ask

Lost amidst all the drama surrounding Tarik Skubal and a potential trade is the fact that the Detroit Tigers were one of the best teams in the American League for most of 2025, and the focus should be on fortifying their roster, not tearing it down - a roster which looked exhausted at the end of the regular season and into the playoffs, by the way.

In theory, that should push the Tigers in the direction of stabilizing their bullpen. Kyle Finnegan coming back would certainly be a good start, but this year is a who's who when talking about the household names available in free agency.

Between Edwin Diaz, Devin Williams, Robert Suárez, Raisel Iglesias, and Ryan Helsley, the Tigers would have options if they wanted to shop at the high end of the relief market. The issue is that most contenders will be in the market for a high-leverage reliever, and that could lead to prices reaching astronomical levels.

That seemingly is already where Diaz is at. Reporting from the GM Meetings in Las Vegas, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon said that Diaz is seeking a deal comparable to the five-year contract he signed with the New York Mets after the 2022 season, worth $102 million.

Edwin Diaz would look great in the Detroit Tigers' bullpen, but there is no way the team meets his asking price.

At the time, Diaz was 28 and coming off a season where he posted a 1.31 ERA with 32 saves and 118 strikeouts in 62 innings pitched. In other words, considering the performance and the age, it made sense why he inked an historic contract with the Mets.

Fast forward to 2025, and to his credit, Diaz bounced back strongly from a disappointing 2024 season (by his standards), where he posted a 3.52 ERA. In 62 appearances last year, Diaz posted 1.63 ERA with 98 strikeouts in a tick over 66 innings pitched. Certainly, that warrants the expectation of being paid like one of the best closers in the game, but he turns 32 in March, and volatility risk will only go up from here.

Considering the Tigers are already in their feels about the idea of having to pay Skubal a record contract for a starting pitcher, there simply isn't a scenario where the front office would be willing to pay over $100 million to a reliever approaching the wrong side of 30.