Tigers' harsh Reese Olson lesson should serve as warning for future plans

Lost in the vibes of the Detroit Tigers signing Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander over the past week is the fact that Reese Olson will miss the entire 2026 season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum.

Over the last three years, Olson has flashed signs of being a staple in the Tigers' rotation, but injuries have capped his potential. The arrival of Valdez and Verlander should provide cover for the loss of Olson, but there's a larger point that remains.

As the Tigers look to maximize the perceived final year of Tarik Skubal in Detroit, there's been a sense that they should look to restock their farm system. Prospects are certainly an important part of organizational health, but they aren't the end-all, be-all that some talent evaluators claim them to be.

Perhaps Olson recovers and turns into the rotation anchor he once looked to be, but the Tigers need to take an important lesson from this moment. Depending on prospects, especially pitchers, is risky business.

Tigers cannot ignore what Reese Olson situation just revealed

Look no further than how the Tigers are handling third base. While they may not admit it publicly, they clearly have the impression that top prospect Kevin McGonigle will make an impact on the major league roster. It's certainly possible, but Olson's journey should be a reminder that there's never a guarantee that a prospect will be healthy, let alone have an immediate impact.

Pitching prospects are even more volatile. There's an uptick in pitchers having Tommy John surgery before reaching the majors, and even if they do reach the big leagues unscathed, Olson's track record is an all too familiar trend across the game.

It's why the Tigers' signing of Valdez was so important. Detroit avoided giving Valdez an opt-out after the first year of his deal, giving them some insurance if Skubal does leave via free agency.

While we're on the subject, being resigned to the fact that next offseason should be geared toward rebuilding the farm system shouldn't be the priority for Scott Harris and Co. Skubal is the known commodity, and would protect the Tigers against the risk that comes with depending on a prospect's progression.