Detroit Tigers Winter Meetings preview: 3 positions that need to be addressed

3. The Detroit Tigers need a mid-rotation starting pitcher

The market has already taken off and the Tigers have recently got in on the fun, agreeing to aone-year deal with former Detroit Tigers pitcher Matt Boyd worth $10 million plus incentives. It further signals the robust market for starters, but Boyd simply cannot be the number two starter as MLive's Evan Woodbery alludes to here:

So, then, who? As badly as I want Justin Verlander back in a Tigers uniform, it doesn't sound so likely, given his contract demands on the open market. That said, the Detroit Tigers still need a starter. They'll be without Casey Mize for the vast majority of 2023. While they could technically fill out a rotation with some combination of Rodriguez, Turnbull, Skubal, Manning, Boyd, Wentz, Faedo, or Brieske, they shouldn't hang their hat on all being healthy the entire season, or maybe past spring training for that matter. And upgrading the stable might make one of their other arms expendable in trade to fill different needs.

Some free agent options include Jameson Taillon, Michael Wacha, Taijuan Walker, Chad Kuhl, and Zach Eflin, to name a few. All are mid-rotation-type arms that would provide length to the Detroit rotation. Taillon, Eflin, and Jose Quintana were all mentioned as options by MLB Trade Rumors.

A trade for a starter given the current supply doesn't seem likely--but given the strong demand in the industry for starting pitching, it's possible those teams who miss out on deGrom, Verlander, or Rodon could turn their focus to the next tier, so it might make sense for some of the aforementioned names to hold off and see if their market picks up following their signings.

Starting pitching is still the focal point for playoff teams--having quality, reliable arms to sustain a season is imperative for the Detroit Tigers next season and should be a top priority as they meet with teams and agents.