Most interesting Tigers free agency rumor in weeks surfaces as pitching staff could get boost

The Tigers have dangled a couple of carrots in front of fans' faces throughout the offseason. They reportedly had interest in shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, but he re-signed with the Braves for a lot more money than the Tigers probably would've been willing to give him (and it was probably for the best, given Kim's finger injury that will keep him out for four or five months).

They reportedly have interest in free agent starters Lucas Giolito and Chris Bassitt, but they might only be willing to sign them if they win their arbitration case against Tarik Skubal.

That particular caveat hangs over every new name that crops up in rumors — but, hey, at least there are a couple of new names?

Evan Petzold added two more into the mix: right-hander Nick Martinez and left-hander José Quintana. He added that the Tigers are still interested in Giolito and Bassitt, even though nothing is imminent on any front.

Martinez could be the best option of any of them. He pitched 165 2/3 innings for a 4.45 ERA for the Reds, but his usage is the key. He pitched in 40 games — 26 of them starts, two as a closer. That's the kind of swingman the Tigers love.

Tigers reportedly interested in Nick Martinez, José Quintana as offseason winds down

Pitchers and catchers report less than three weeks from now, and we should expect an arbitration hearing to take place in the interim. It creates an uncomfortable time crunch, and the Tigers may be stuck in a last-minute scramble for pitchers as we get nearer to spring training.

It's a risk they have to take if they can't come to a resolution ahead of a hearing with Skubal and are absolutely unwilling to test the limits of their payroll if he gets the $32 million he wants. It's a slightly empty excuse, as the $13 million difference is somewhat negligible in baseball terms — they might even be able to sign Quintana for less.

But, fine. We'll work within the constraints the Tigers have placed upon themselves.

There's no doubt that the Tigers should sign another starter when they're a year away from losing three of them. Detroit has a good amount of starting depth — Troy Melton, Sawyer Gipson-Long, Keider Montero — and they expect Jackson Jobe back deep into the season, but Martinez and Quintana (and Giolito and Bassitt, for that matter) are veterans.

None are perfect, but just imagine what the Tigers' underrated coaching staff could do when they're presented a much higher baseline of potential than the front office has been giving them with their myriad minor-league signings. Just look at Jack Flaherty's 2024 season.

We'll hold on to hope that the Tigers still sign one of these guys even if they lose the arbitration hearing, even if it's ultimately wasted. They have to do more, and there's still time.