This aggressive free agency plan could save Tigers' final year with Tarik Skubal

While Tarik Skubal uncertainty engulfs the Detroit Tigers universe, it's important to take a look at what the most likely scenario will be. Aside from worrying about injuries, Skubal has no incentive to sign an extension now. We all saw just a year ago that Juan Soto's projected $600 million price tag exploded to a $765 million contract once the bidding got underway, and while Skubal won't hit the same dollar amount, making it to the open market is a surefire way for him to get more money than expected.

At the same time, the Tigers have little motivation to actually trade him. History shows that aces in their walk years don't actually fetch all that much return in a trade, and the eventuality that Skubal decides to test free agency means that rival clubs are further disincentivized to pay an exorbitant price for only one year of his services.

Therefore, the likely scenario is that Skubal stays in Detroit for the entirety of 2026, and while the Tigers' chances of retaining him beyond next season are slim, their best course of action is to maximize him while they can. That means getting aggressive in free agency and following this daring plan.

A dynamic free agency road map for the Tigers to capitalize on what might be their final year with Tarik Skubal

Sign third baseman Alex Bregman

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Alex Bregman rejected the Tigers' overtures last winter, but that doesn't mean he still isn't the perfect fit for them again this year. The motley crew of players Detroit ran out to man the hot corner in 2025 finished with a brutal .628 OPS, which ranked 27th in baseball.

Bregman would solve those woes, while giving the Tigers exceptional defense and a low strikeout bat that the lineup desperately needs. Going the extra mile this time around will fill Detroit's biggest hole in the most impactful way.

Sign first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger

Whether it was through necessity or preference, AJ Hinch loved moving guys around in 2025. Zach McKinstry made at least one appearance at every position on the diamond except center field and catcher. Javy Baez played nearly as many games in center (53) as he did at shortstop (62) while also spending time at the hot corner and the keystone.

Bellinger brings versatility as well, with the ability to play all three outfield positions plus first base at a high level. Center field was a problem area pretty much all year for the Tigers, and while Bellinger can solve that issue, he'd also give Hinch the flexibility to shuffle pieces around in the event of a slump or need elsewhere. That means, he wouldn't completely block top prospect Max Clark from eventually taking over in center.

Like Bregman, Bellinger is a low-strikeout bat who went down via the K just 13.7% of the time last season, which is an area Detroit desperately needs to improve upon after posting the fourth-highest strikeout rate in the league at 23.9%.

Address the bullpen by bringing back Kyle Finnegan and signing Robert Suarez

With the exception of Kyle Finnegan, Scott Harris's trade deadline maneuvers to fix the Tigers' struggling pen were laughably bad. However, the 1.50 ERA Finnegan posted in Detroit, combined with his experience closing games and relatively cheap price tag, should make him a must-re-sign.

Robert Suarez, on the other hand, will be much more costly. He'll be worth it, however. The National League's saves leader in 2025, Suarez is the 1b to Edwin Diaz's 1a on the free-agent closer market. With him in the fold, the Tigers would have one of the best late-inning trios in the sport once you include Will Vest. Finnegan's experience closing out games means that if something were to happen with Suarez, Detroit would have a built-in contingency plan. Shortening games can make all the difference in October, and this aggressive bullpen strategy would give the Tigers a leg up on the competition.

Re-sign second baseman Gleyber Torres

Every position on the infield outside of first base is a need for the Tigers this offseason, and the choice at second base is either Gleyber Torres or a massive downgrade. Torres was so good for Detroit in the first half, posting a .281/.387/.425 line with a 14.2% walk rate and 12.8% strikeout rate before a sports hernia sapped his powers in the second half.

Scott Harris has made it clear that he wants to integrate his top youngsters in 2026, chief among them being the No. 2 overall prospect in baseball, Kevin McGonigle. McGonigle might eventually end up at second base, but in the meantime he can play his natural shortstop position to create a formidable double-play combination with Torres.

Making these moves would require a leap forward in payroll, but they keep pathways open for top prospects while addressing all of Detroit's biggest holes and putting the club on a path to be considered one of the favorites to win the World Series. If they're really going to lose Skubal after the season, what better way than to go out than with a ring?