Tigers’ Opening Day roster projection says everything about their wasted offseason

The Detroit Tigers' offseason has been centered around Tarik Skubal, and for all the wrong reasons. The Tigers didn't exactly squash the trade rumors that have surrounded Skubal since the start of the offseason (they still haven't), and his arbitration filing is a reminder that Detroit might just be allergic to spending money of consequence.

The same questions the Tigers had at the offseason, they still have now. Skubal continues to have the impression of being in his last year in Detroit, the rotation lacks stability, and third base still looks like a problem.

Tigers’ Opening Day roster prediction is a brutal indictment of their offseason

No one should fault the Tigers for staying away from the Alex Bregman circus this offseason, but it does seem to be an over-reliance on a group of position players that didn't get the job done in 2025. One would think Detroit maintained its lead in the AL Central while also reaching the ALCS with the way Scott Harris has gone about this offseason.

It's also why The Athletic's (subscription required) Cody Stavenhagen used one of Harris' most problematic quotes at the start of his projection of the Tigers' Opening Day roster.

“Just because a lot of the names look the same," Harris said, “doesn’t mean the team is the same.”

It's all familiar names as the MLB insider lists out the Tigers' position players. While he doesn't designate the team's third baseman, chances are it will be Colt Keith with Kevin McGonigle and Zach McKinstry mixed in.

The Tigers still have options, specifically Eugenio Suárez, who can likely be had on an affordable team, but the front office is depending on progression being the reason why they succeed in 2026.

The Tigers' rotation is all filled with familiar names, with the chance that Drew Anderson becomes the solution. It seems like unwarranted faith from the Tigers, which is why Harris' inactivity doesn't match up with a team that spent most of last year as the best in baseball before collapsing during the final month of the regular season.

For the bullpen, Kenley Jansen is the newest arrival, and that should add some much-needed stability for the backend.

Maybe Harris gets the last laught and the Tigers see a boost from expected performances, and there is a prospect or two that changes their outlook. But, as Stavenhagen's projection suggests, this roster is filled with the question that may only set the stage for a reset once Skubal departs next winter.