Speculated Alex Bregman social media activity gets Tigers fans irrationally excited

Back in October, after their exit from the postseason, the Detroit Tigers set themselves up for an exciting offseason. Scott Harris identified the team's needs (starting pitching, a righty bat), and said that he would have more of a budget to work with this year than before, thanks to the team's success.

However, the way the front office has actually been conducting itself so far doesn't make the Tigers look much like a team that's serious about postseason contention again in 2025. The young core is improving, of course, but Detroit's August/September success was just as much about luck and strength of schedule as it was about skill ... and that luck may not repeat itself in quite the same way.

The Tigers signed Alex Cobb but seem to be calling it quits on starting pitching (other than Roki Sasaki, who all 30 teams will be chasing), and their names haven't really been brought up in the conversations around any big position players to get that big righty bat they need.

The only exception is Alex Bregman, who was loosely connected to the Tigers early into the offseason thanks to his link to former Astros manager AJ Hinch. There are others involved — the Astros, Red Sox, Yankees — but none may need him quite as desperately as the Tigers.

Some eagle-eyed Tigers fans spotted something peculiar about Bregman's Instagram activity, though. He followed No. 2 prospect Max Clark, Miguel Cabrera, and Spencer Torkelson recently, if we're to believe the sleuthing.

Alex Bregman following Max Clark, Spencer Torkelson gets Tigers fans excited as his market heats up

It's impossible to know exactly when Bregman followed any of these players, but fans noticing has conspicuously coincided with word that he might be the next big player to come off of the market, and Mark Feinsand of MLB.com named the Tigers as one of four finalists to get him.

If this actually happens, it'll be huge for the spending-averse Tigers, who will definitely have to give up somewhere around $180 million for him over seven (or so) years. It would be the biggest contract they've offered anyone since Javy Báez signed for six years and $140 million in 2021, and it would be a sign that the Tigers are actually serious about capitalizing on the momentum they gained this past season.

Bregman would solve a lot of problems for the Tigers. He would slot right in at third base, would reliably give the team 20+ homers, and provide real veteran leadership that Báez has completely fallen short on. It seems like a decision will come down soon, and we're going to keep our fingers and toes crossed on this one.