Tigers insider has prediction that would upend Detroit's 2025 bullpen

While there are still a few question marks surrounding the Detroit Tigers' starting rotation in 2025, their relief corps appears to be set – unless it isn't.

As teams look to put the finishing touches on their Opening Day rosters over the coming weeks, there will inevitably be some surprises to fill the coveted remaining spots on the bench, rotation or bullpen. With that in mind, the MLB.com beat writers for every team recently compiled a list of dark horse candidates who could make each team's Opening Day roster.

For the Tigers, beat writer Jason Beck landed on right-handed reliever Chase Lee – an intriguing choice, considering the amount of success Detroit's bullpen had last season. Lee, acquired from the Texas Rangers at last year's trade deadline in the Andrew Chafin deal, is coming off a breakout minor league season in 2024 that saw him record a 2.75 ERA while totaling 49 strikeouts in 36 innings of work between Texas' and Detroit's farm systems.

"[Lee's] late-season run at Triple-A Toledo included a 31-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 22 innings, impressive enough that Detroit added him to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft," Beck wrote. "He faces an uphill battle to crack a crowded Tigers bullpen, but if manager A.J. Hinch wants more strikeouts in his relief corps, Lee presents an intriguing option."

Tigers insider has prediction that would upend Detroit's 2025 bullpen

As Beck points out, the Tigers keep accumulating relievers with "different looks" — each with a unique style and a vital role to play in the bullpen. Lee fits the bill with his ability to make hitters swing and miss thanks to his unique sidearm angle, so it's possible Detroit could carve out space for him on the 26-man roster.

Doing so would be a challenging task, however, with the Tigers already returning their "core four" relievers from last season in Beau Brieske, Will Vest, Tyler Holton and Jason Foley, not to mention the new additions of Tommy Kahnle and John Brebbia. There are also names like Brenan Hanifee, Brant Hurter, Kenta Maeda, Ty Madden and Chafin who will be in the mix for limited bullpen spots.

Regardless, Lee will be a name to keep an eye on during spring training. Even if he doesn't break camp with the Tigers, we could be seeing his sidearm sweepers in Detroit at some point in 2025.

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