4 pending free agents the Detroit Tigers need to target this offseason

The Detroit Tigers made the very questionable decision to only trade away Michael Lorenzen at the trade deadline. While being buyers at the trade deadline became a poor path given how the Tigers were playing, that they held on to Eduardo Rodriguez (who vetoed a trade with the Dodgers) and a host of relievers was definitely an "interesting" choice to be sure.

However, there is a chance that Detroit's relative inaction at the deadline could point to the fact that they really do think that they could contend in 2024 and they may not be wrong. The Twins may win the AL Central this year, but they aren't scaring anyone, are very likely to lose Sonny Gray in free agency, and have real payroll limits especially after what they gave Carlos Correa. The Guardians ended up selling at the deadline and have some real issues to sort out with their offense before they have any real shot.

Assuming the Tigers recognize the opportunity in front of them and are willing/able to take advantage of it, this offseason could be a turning point for the franchise.

Here are 4 pending free agents the Tigers need to target this offseason

The days of the Tigers spending crazy amounts of money and resources chasing a championship are pretty clearly over. However, Detroit has shown some willingness to spend in recent years including their ill-fated deal to sign Javier Baez. With Miguel Cabrera retiring after the season, they should have some money freed up to make a real push for contention in 2024.

The goal here is to present realistic free agent options, so no...you will not find Shohei Ohtani's name on this list as awesome as that would be. Also, availability is an important consideration here, so only known free agents and/or guys that are essentially locks to not have contract options exercised/not sign qualifying offers are going to get consideration for now.

Anyways, those are the rules. Here is a look at four pending free agents that the Tigers need to consider this offseason.

Jordan Montgomery would bolster the Tigers rotation

The Tigers' rotation is in a weird spot right now. There is a lot of young talent on the pitching side to be sure. However, many of their arms have some real durability questions. Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, and Matt Manning have all missed significant time with injuries and help from the minor leagues on the pitching side is a ways away. Even if the Tigers are optimistic that those three guys will pitch meaningful innings in 2024, Matt Boyd is a free agent after the season and they will need another arm in the rotation. The guy they should target to fill that void is Jordan Montgomery.

There are going to be bigger names available in free agency when it comes to starting pitching like Ohtani, Sonny Gray, and maybe Aaron Nola if the Phillies can't figure out how to extend him, but Montgomery fits the bills for the Tigers on a number of levels. He isn't likely to require a megadeal to sign (although he will be far from a budget sign) and the guy just puts decent season after decent season. Montgomery throws a bunch of strikes and knows who he is as a pitcher on the mound and pitches to his strengths. That experience would help the Tigers' young pitching core refine their craft while providing some rotation stability if there are speedbumps along the way.

Matt Chapman is the marquee signing that Detroit needs to make happen

If the Tigers are serious about wanting to contend starting in 2024, the offense is going to need a boost. Several of the Tigers' top prospects have struggled and/or gotten hurt and that plus Baez's contract being a dumpster fire has added up to Detroit having the 27th ranked position player group by fWAR (6.4) in 2023. A huge step in the right direction would be by signing Matt Chapman, one of the top free agents available, as the centerpiece of their offseason.

The infield has been a primary offender for Detroit's offensive struggles and adding Chapman would instantly give them one of the better third basemen on both sides of the ball in the entire league. Chapman hits for some power, draws a ton of walks, and has posted a wRC+ of 110 or better in six of the seven seasons he has been in the league in addition to being an excellent defender. However, he will inevitably be pretty expensive and may require a long-term deal to sign. Also, Chapman is basically a lock to receive a qualifying offer which the Tigers will have to consider.

There is also the future of top prospect Colt Keith to consider given that he, too, plays third base. However, Keith has seen plenty of time at second base in the minors which is a position the Tigers probably need to upgrade anyways. Between that and the DH spot opening up with Miggy retiring, Detroit could easily make it work when it comes to giving playing time to everyone they want to.