The Athletic has promising Tigers' free agency prediction fans will love for rotation

As they look to take the next step toward becoming legitimate contenders, the Detroit Tigers have some very specific roster needs to fill this offseason.

At the top of that list of needs is starting pitching. The Tigers have a staff ace in American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, but they need to fill out the rest of the rotation behind him. Manager AJ Hinch deserves credit for his ability to routinely piece together bullpen games down the final stretch and into the playoffs last season, but that strategy is hardly a recipe for sustained success.

Big names like Blake Snell and Yusei Kikuchi are already off the board after signing new contracts in November, but there are still plenty of free agent arms the Tigers could realistically pursue this offseason that could give them a better shot in 2025. In fact, Andy McCullough of The Athletic (subscription required) predicted that they would be able to convince former New York Mets hurler Sean Manaea to come to the Motor City.

"The club’s needs in the rotation are the most acute," McCullough wrote. "The team made it to the postseason last year utilizing Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal and a boatload of bullpen games. Detroit could make a commitment to Manaea, who thrived after shifting his arm angle to mimic the other Cy Young award winner in 2024, Chris Sale."

Tigers predicted to land Sean Manaea in free agency

Manaea signed a two-year, $28 million contract with the Mets last year that included a option for 2025. After having a resurgent 2024 campaign that featured a 12-6 record with a 3.47 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 184 strikeouts in 181 2/3 innings, he decided to decline that option and re-test the open market.

Manaea will certainly be in high demand after his strong 2024 season, but the Tigers would be wise to pursue him aggressively due to his relatively affordable price. Tim Britton of The Athletic (subscription required) projected him to earn a four-year, $76 million contract, which could end up being a steal if he builds upon the success he found after last year's mechanical changes.

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