Tigers' interest in familiar free agent offers hope after dull Winter Meetings Day 1

Scott Harris spent most of his first full day at Winter Meetings saying a lot of stuff that fans didn't want to hear. He kept the door open for a Tarik Skubal trade ("I don't believe in untouchables at any level"), and basically admitted that the Tigers' approach to rebuilding the bullpen will be very similar to their trade deadline strategy, which everyone can agree was a failure.

Harris and the Tigers seem to be sticking to their guns: signing low-cost free agents or picking up guys on waivers and trusting that the development side of things can work some magic.

There are occasional exceptions to the rule. Their attempt to sign Alex Bregman last year was exhausting by the end but was still a refreshing change of pace in terms of willingness to spend. However, the Tigers don't have the same fire to go after Bregman this season. When asked how he planned to improve the offense, Harris basically just said the Tigers' existing core would be better next year.

"Uninspired" is one word for it. "Cheap" may be another. It all falls under the same umbrella: not good enough.

But maybe all hope isn't lost. Despite Harris' underwhelming and borderline infuriating comments, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reported that the Tigers had expressed interest in free agent shortstop Ha-Seong Kim on Tuesday.

Tigers renewing interest in free agent shortstop Ha-Seong Kim as Alex Bregman interest fades

The Tigers also showed interest in Kim in his free agency last year, before he signed a two-year contract with the Rays, who ended up DFA'ing him by the end of August anyway. He finished his season with the Braves before declining his player option and electing free agency. Kiley McDaniel of ESPN predicts a very affordable one-year, $16 million deal for him this offseason. Then again, his surge at the end of the 2025 season could bring him a multi-year contract. Would the Tigers be down for that?

Kim was injured for the majority of 2025, but when he was healthy, he spent the majority of his time at shortstop. The Tigers still have Javy Báez for the next two years, but reports suggest that they would prefer to keep using him in a utility role, and Kim's defense at shortstop has been elite in years past.

Kim isn't and has never been much of a power bat, but he's very much a Gleyber Torres-esque player at the plate, with a career .324 OBP. In 2023, his best season so far, he had elite chase and whiff percentages.

Is Kim the most exciting possible addition, especially after a year where he missed over two-thirds of a season? Definitely not. But it's still better than what Harris made out the Tigers' plans to be on Monday.