Bleacher Report has surprise prediction for Tigers that will excite Detroit fans

After making some notable additions this offseason in Mark Canha, Kenta Maeda, and Jack Flaherty in the first half, the Detroit Tigers have been quiet in 2024. It seems like most of their work is done, and now they're regrouping ahead of pitchers and catchers reporting on Feb. 14 and spring training beginning on the 24th. There are still a few big free agents floating around — Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, Cody Bellinger — but it doesn't seem like the Tigers will throw their hat in any of those rings.

Spring training will present exciting opportunities to see the new additions suit up for the first time, to see newly-extended Colt Keith try to make his first splash with the big league team, and to see Riley Greene try to come back from injury. Despite the lack of massive signings, there's a lot to watch for come late February.

But wait — could the Tigers make a massive signing? Bleacher Report seems to think so. They released a list of surprise possible landing spots for the biggest remaining free agents, including Snell to the Diamondbacks, Matt Chapman to the Angels, Jordan Montgomery to the Orioles, and, most importantly, Cody Bellinger to the Tigers.

Bleacher Report's surprising free agent landing spots includes Cody Bellinger to the Detroit Tigers

Bleacher Report cited Bellinger's 2023 OPS (.881) and his ability to bolster the Tigers' 28th-place scoring numbers last year. They also noted the Tigers' lower projected payroll in 2024 as reasoning to make a big push and sign him.

As great as it would be to see Bellinger in a Tigers uniform, Detroit definitely won't be making this leap. They're not interested in blocking their young players' development paths by signing free agents, and there are lot of hopes riding on Parker Meadows and Riley Greene, who are both expected to play center field next year. Despite their less reliable bets at third base, they were unwilling to enter the race even for Chapman, who will cost significantly less than Bellinger will.

Besides, Bellinger is looking likely to head back to the Cubs after reportedly not receiving any contract offers from any teams. Getting Bellinger to Detroit is a pipe dream, but it is a nice one. Hopefully, Meadows and Greene will come through, and render any lingering regrets about not signing Bellinger (if there are any at all) moot.