Tigers' one good trade deadline acquisition alludes to 2026 reunion

Of all of the Tigers' offseason signings and trade deadline acquisitions, there are arguably only two that fans wouldn't mind seeing return: Gleyber Torres and Kyle Finnegan.

Torres did exactly what he hoped to do when he signed a one-year prove it deal. He didn't turn back into the nearly 40-homer player he was in 2019 with the Yankees, but he put up the second-highest walk rate of his career (highest of qualified Tigers batters this year by 25 points) and second-lowest strikeout rate.

Finnegan gave up just three runs in the 18 innings he pitched after coming over from the Nationals at the trade deadline, none in August, and he racked up four saves with a 0.72 WHIP. If it weren't for his short IL stint in September, there would be very little to complain about in terms of his regular season performance.

Both Torres and Finnegan are free agents this offseason, but both have expressed some interest in returning to Detroit. Finnegan said, "I loved every second of my time here. Hopefully the feeling is mutual. We'll head into free agency and see what that has in store for me, but I can't say enough good things about the Tigers."

Detroit Tigers Rumors: Could Kyle Finnegan, Gleyber Torres return?

The Tigers' bullpen needs a deep clean this offseason; it's probably their most pressing issue before they get to spring training next year. They're going to (or at least really should) let Tommy Kahnle, Rafael Montero, Chris Paddack, Paul Sewald, and José Urquidy walk. Guys like Tyler Holton, Brenan Hanifee, and Brant Hurter can compete for a few remaining spots in spring training. Only Will Vest should be absolutely guaranteed a bullpen spot. Otherwise, we should hope to see more free agent signings and/or trades in the offseason.

And Finnegan should probably be one of them. He made $6 million this year, and there's no reason the Tigers shouldn't be able to give him the $7.75 million Kahnle made in 2025.

There are a plethora of solid relievers hitting the market alongside Finnegan, maybe even more depending on players with options, but he would be affordable and has already contributed to the team in a meaningful way. Re-signing him would only be the first step in a long road to the Tigers reshaping their bullpen, but it'd be a good place to start.