Tigers Rumors: Late-season playoff push could change front office's free agency plan

The Tigers took two out of three games against the Orioles over the weekend, beating the odds to put themselves within 2.5 games of the Twins for the last Wild Card spot. It was an eventful weekend: a rather run of the mill series opener, an near-no-hitter on Saturday, and a two-homer day for Riley Greene in the finale. Hopes are high, but the Tigers are seriously in this race now as they head toward a key series against the Royals.

Even if Detroit doesn't make it to the postseason this year, they've been on a clear upward trajectory since last season when they finished second in the division despite having a losing record. With just two weeks of the regular season left, is this the offseason when the Tigers finally decide to spend?

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com seems to think so, calling the Tigers a "prime candidate to add in free agency" and it makes sense. Chris Ilitch has made it abundantly clear that he won't spend more than a tiny fraction of his millions of dollars on the Tigers until they've shown that they can build a competitive, homegrown foundation.

And, against, all odds, that's exactly what the Tigers have done. Only three players are on multi-million dollar contracts, three more will be in their second year of arbitration eligibility this offseason, but the vast majority of this team is making near the league minimum. The Tigers could have money and definitely have a lot of potential. Could now finally be the time for Ilitch to open his wallet?

Tigers "a prime candidate" to spend big during the offseason after young core's successes

Feinsand threw out a slew of names the Tigers could consider: Pete Alonso, Christian Walker, Rhys Hoskins, Willy Adames, Ha-Seong Kim, Anthony Santander, and Teoscar Hernández. He added that they probably won't go for potential high-earner Alex Bregman, but the chatter has been there given Bregman's connection to manager AJ Hinch.

Alonso might also be a stretch, not only because it's likely that he'll command a high price as well, but because he's a first baseman. The Tigers still aren't sure what they're going to do with Spencer Torkelson, who has had peaks and valleys offensively since he was called back up to the majors last month. A decision about his future with the team will have to come before the Tigers dare to spend millions on a veteran.

Although it still seems more likely than not that the Tigers will focus their spending on pitchers rather than position players, a once-closed door is cracked and letting just a little bit of light in now. Even just one of these potential names could be the difference maker in really getting the Tigers across that elusive postseason threshold next season.