MLB insider pitches perfect Tigers' free agency match (that would help Tarik Skubal)

Last season, the Detroit Tigers and Jack Flaherty bet on each other, which paid off. Flaherty was a rebuilding project after his struggles in 2023 for both the St. Louis Cardinals and Baltimore Orioles. Injuries were concerns throughout his career, but the potential was undoubtedly there.

This offseason, there is a similar project out on the market. Former Dodgers starter Walker Buehler is coming off an injury-plagued season that saw him return from Tommy John surgery. Across 75 1/3 innings pitched, he logged a 5.38 ERA. Needless to say, that is not the Walker Buehler that MLB fans are accustomed to, but coming off a major injury, it is expected. In 2021, Buehler had over 200 innings pitched with a 2.47 ERA.

Buehler is said to have a mutual interest in the New York Yankees, but the terms of a potential deal have not been discussed. Buehler is only 30 years old, and pairing this big righty with the reigning Cy Young southpaw of Tarik Skubal could be a lethal one-two punch. In fact, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com suggested the Detroit Tigers do just that and pursue the righty free agent. He would bring a veteran presence to a very young rotation, and playoff experience to a team with very little.

Feinsand wrote: "Buehler overlapped with Tigers director of pitching Gabe Ribas when Ribas was a coordinator in the Dodgers' system." Having a connection in the organization is a big advantage.

The question now turns to what a deal would look like. Would Buehler want to sign a long-term deal for security despite possibly signing for less due to his recent injury status? On the other hand, perhaps Walker would consider a one- or two-year deal to prove his worth again, and then go after the big payday much like Jack Flaherty did this season. The Tigers should be interested in either scenario given their need for starting pitching, but a short-term deal may be more attractive to the team given Buehler's injuries since 2021.

Detroit Tigers Rumors: Walker Buehler could be free agency fit

The Tigers have not had an aggressive offseason in what seems like an eternity, but with the team beating the odds and making the playoffs this season, it feels like the time to move forward is now. Chris Ilitch of course could feel differently and force the team into mediocrity if he chooses to put a chain lock on his checkbook. Unfortunately, that is out of the fanbase's control.

Should the Tigers make this move and sign Buehler, they have the potential for the best rotation in the American League Central. Tarik Skubal, Walker Buehler, Jackson Jobe, Reese Olson, and Keider Montero, assuming everybody takes the necessary steps forward, would be difficult to navigate for opposing hitters. Skubal is the Cy Young, Buehler could be Comeback Player of the Year, Jobe will be in the running for Rookie of the Year, and some formidable back-end starters would look much better than Tarik Skubal, Keider Montero, and three bullpen games a week.