Tigers fans can't believe The Athletic's offseason grade for Scott Harris

Detroit Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris has provided the blueprint this offseason for what not to do when your team is a game away from reaching the ALCS. It was clear that the Tigers needed a boost in their starting rotation as well as an offensive upgrade, but Harris has doubled down on the group the team finished the 2025 season with throughout the winter.

And the moves Harris has made this winter, on paper, haven't closed the gap between them and the Toronto Blue Jays, already a favorite to win the American League again. It's a gap that has likely widened with the Blue Jays' signings of Dylan Cease and Kazuma Okamoto this offseason.

Even the Seattle Mariners, the team the Tigers lost to in the ALDS, weren't comfortable, striking a trade for All-Star infielder Brendan Donovan.

Harris does deserve credit for stabilizing the bullpen by bringing back Kyle Finnegan and signing Kenley Jansen, but the rest of his movements are littered with question marks. Even after signing Drew Anderson, the Tigers still have a need in the rotation. And, their projected starting lineup feels painfully familiar.

If that wasn't already bad enough, the Tigers haven't exactly played nice with Tarik Skubal this offseason. With spring training less than two weeks away, the main takeaway from the offseason is still that Skubal isn't long for Detroit.

In no way should the Tigers' offseason get a passing grade, which is why The Athletic's (subscription required) Jim Bowden had a baffling grade for Scott Harris and Co. this offseason.

The Athletic’s take on Scott Harris has Tigers fans doing a double take

It may sound crazy, but a team shouldn't get credit for doing the bare minimum. That is what the Tigers have done. Congrats, you patched up the self-created mess you had in the bullpen. That is hardly worthy of a passing grade, let alone a C+.

The Tigers' offseason has been a failure, but there is room for Harris to navigate out of the disaster. It's probably too late for the Tigers to find any meaningful upgrade on offense, but several available veterans could boost the starting rotation.

Not that Tigers fans should hold their breath, if Skubal wins his arbitration, the whole-bunch-of-nothing that has described the offseason thus far will be applicable in spring training.