Making sense of the Tigers' offseason plans after Alex Cobb, Gleyber Torres signings

Even if the Tigers' two signings this offseason have provoked reactions that range from mildly underwhelmed to incredulous and angry, no one can technically say that the front office hasn't done what they set out to do this offseason. They made no promises, which was wise, but they identified the need for starting pitching and a righty bat, which are boxes that new Tigers Alex Cobb and Gleyber Torres do check.

"Starting pitching" ideally would've meant more than one starting pitcher, and ideally they would've been slightly younger and less injury-prone than Cobb. Similarly, "righty bat" would've meant Pete Alonso or Christian Walker. But if we're taking the Tigers at face value, they've done what they set out to do.

There may still be more on the horizon. Alex Bregman and Anthony Santander have both been named as potential options for Detroit, and they're even said to be "in the mix" for Jack Flaherty despite saying they're done with adding starting pitching. Bregman does still feel like a distinct possibility, but based on how the Tigers have been operating so far, it feels unlikely they'll stretch themselves further, especially if they do get Bregman.

What's next for the Tigers after identical Alex Cobb, Gleyber Torres signings?

Cobb and Torres signed the same exact deal: one-year, $15 million (though there are innings-based incentives built in for Cobb that raise his ceiling to $17 million). Bregman is looking for a seven-year, $200 million deal, and while talks between him and the Tigers aren't dead, they are taking a little too long for fans' comfort. If they were to sign him, it'd be the biggest contract the Tigers have doled out since Javier Báez's six-year, $140 million deal in 2021.

If the Tigers do manage to get Bregman, that would probably put a full stop to the rest of their spending this offseason. Santander is looking for something in the world of five years, $100 million; Flaherty's value predictions are all over the place but are over a range of 3-5 years; and the Tigers are too averse to high value, long-term commitments to promise more than one.

But even one is still a step in the right direction. Báez's signing undoubtedly left the front office hurting in a way that's impacted their approach dramatically ever since, but Bregman has an even better track record behind him than Báez did at the time, and this team is begging for a proven star to anchor the lineup while the young players continue to develop. Whatever the hold up is, the Tigers need to find a way through it and sign the man already.

The Tigers have technically upgraded and set the table with their limited activity, but more needs to be done before they can put a bow on the offseason.