Ranking the most likely Tigers free agent targets after The Athletic's predictions

Jim Bowden of The Athletic (subscription required) released his list of the top 50 free agents, and of the group the Detroit Tigers were listed as fits for a whopping 21 different players.

Nearly all of the players on the list would fill a major hole for Detroit, though some would be more in the category of luxury buys (and one would be more about nostalgia) while making the club better in 2026.

With that in mind, we're going to cut through the noise and rank the best fits, keeping in mind budget, need, and the bigger picture. That means some guys who made Bowden's list will be left out, simply because they either don't fit Scott Harris's long-term vision, or don't seem to be worth the price they'll likely command given what else is on Detroit's roster.

Ranking the best fits for the Tigers based on Jim Bowden's top 50 free agent list

1. Third baseman Alex Bregman, predicted contract - six years, $182 million

Yes, it's a tired rumor, especially after Alex Bregman rejected Detroit's six-year, $171.5 million offer last offseason. But after the Tigers' third basemen collectively posted a .628 OPS in 2025, something must be done. Bregman is the best overall option here, at what might be Detroit's biggest position of need.

2. Reliever Kyle Finnegan, predicted contract - one year, $6.25 million

Kyle Finnegan is the lowest-ranked option on Bowden's list, coming in at No. 45, but the fit and the cost are perfect here. The projected contract is less than what was given to Tommy Kahnle last winter, and a 1.50 ERA for the Tigers following his deadline acquisition makes him a desirable asset to keep. Ideally, a better closer is signed so that Finnegan can pair with Will Vest as a near-elite setup squad, but his experience as a closer makes him look even better to Detroit.

3. Second baseman Gleyber Torres, predicted contract - four years, $52 million

Another run-it-back guy, Gleyber Torres, was spectacular in the first half for Detroit. Playing with a hernia in the second half put a damper on his total line, but that only serves to score the Tigers a discount on retaining his services.

Detroit needs help at second, short, and third, so Torres takes one of the holes of the board. An intriguing idea Bowden had was Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette, whose terrible defense likely means a move to second base. However, with a projected seven-year, $189 million contract, Bichette is nearly four times more expensive than Torres, but is nowhere close to being four times the player.

4. Closer Robert Suarez, predicted contract - four years, $80 million

Robert Suarez was the National League's save leader with 40 in 2025, and is a close runner-up to Edwin Diaz as the best closer to hit the open market. The drop off to the next tier is substantial, and Detroit learned the hard way what it can look like without a dominant ninth-inning arm. Now imagine a world where Will Vest, a retained Kyle Finnegan, and Suarez are locking down the seventh, eighth, and ninth, and you'll see that paying a premium here makes sense.

5. Third baseman Eugenio Suarez, predicted contract - three years, $72 million

Former Tiger Eugenio Suarez basically asked for a reunion at the trade deadline. That didn't come to fruition, and his second-half slump in Seattle is cause for some concern. However, Suarez is a great clubhouse presence, an incredible power bat, and his playoff heroics should ease much of the second-half concerns. He's the best Bregman alternative, though the defensive shortcomings are a bit worrisome.

6. Starting pitcher Michael King, predicted contract - three years, $75 million

The Tigers need rotation help behind Tarik Skubal, who certainly shouldn't be traded, and Michael King would give them an elite No. 2, as long as his medicals check out. King's injury last season will suppress his price, but of all the starters to hit the market, he has a case for being the best if healthy.

7. Designated Hitter Kyle Schwarber, predicted contract - five years, $160 million

If there's one thing the Tigers need, it's a legitimate middle-of-the-order bat. Ideally, that would come at a position of need, which DH, a committee led by Kerry Carpenter, really isn't. Still, Kyle Schwarber is a 50-plus homer bat, and you can't let Carpenter stand in the way of that. The bigger hurdle would be committing this much money to a DH when there are so many other, more pressing needs.

8. Starting pitcher Chris Bassitt, predicted contract - two years, $45 million

Even if the Tigers were to sign a No. 2 starter like Michael King, another veteran presence in the middle of the rotation would go a long way. That's exactly what Chris Bassitt has been for the better part of a decade. A one-year deal would be more palatable for the soon-to-be 37-year-old, but even at Bowden's admittedly high projection, the fit makes sense.

9. Reliever Tyler Rogers, predicted contract - one year, $15 million

When it comes to rubber arms in the bullpen, they don't get much better than Tyler Rogers. The righty has logged at least 70 innings in each of the past five seasons, posting an ERA under 3.00 in three of those years. 2025 was his best mark, coming in at 1.98, hence the rather hefty salary for just one year.

10. Starting pitcher Justin Verlander, predicted contract - one year, $12 million

Who wouldn't want this? The 42-year-old Verlander likely is looking at retirement after the 2026 season, but a 3.85 ERA over 152 innings in 2025 shows there's still some juice in that right arm. A chance to chase a ring back where it all started would make sense for him and the fans, but even his performance could help stabilize the back of Detroit's rotation.