Tigers playoff struggles reveal key need in free agency (or via trade) for Detroit

One hopes that Detroit Tigers fans are still able to appreciate what the team did in 2024 despite their heartbreaking loss in the ALDS. The Tigers weren't supposed to compete for a playoff spot this year. Ownership didn't meaningfully invest in the roster last offseason and Detroit's young players were thought to need at least another year before they were ready.

Instead, the Tigers' magical run in September carried them to within a couple of unlucky breaks from the ALCS.

There is a lot to be excited about with this Tigers team going forward on both sides of the ball. Detroit has an ace in Tarik Skubal and budding young stars in Jackson Jobe, Riley Greene and Colt Keith.

However, there was one offseason need for the Tigers that was made painfully obvious during their series against the Guardians. Detroit must acquire an impact bat or two before next year.

Tigers free agency: Detroit must sign impact bat in offseason

The Tigers' 2024 offense left a lot to be desired. Detroit ranked just 17th in all of baseball by fWAR (19.2) and their team 95 wRC+ was tied for 21st. It truly speaks to how good the Tigers' pitching staff was in the second half that Detroit was able to make the playoffs at all given that level of offensive production.

The good news is that the Tigers do have something to work with thanks to their young core. Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter, Parker Meadows, Colt Keith, and Matt Vierling all showed at least flashes of their potential, and that is a great start. However, Javier Baez has been unplayable even before he needed surgery to fix his ailing hip; Spencer Torkelson has failed to develop into a big league hitter; and Detroit simply doesn't have the lineup depth right now to be a consistent contender.

While they do have a pair of extremely good position player prospects in Max Clark and Kevin McGonigle, those two are still far away from debuting, and waiting on them to arrive given the Tigers' performance this season would be a complete waste of this surprise window of contention. The Tigers have loads of fan goodwill as well as a fresh infusion of playoff cash at their disposal, and they simply have to make a real push in free agency or via trade.

Does that mean the Tigers need to go wild this offseason? Not necessarily, although Tigers fans certainly wouldn't turn down a surprise Juan Soto signing. Perhaps going after one of Pete Alonso, Christian Walker, or Willy Adames in addition to some solid role players elsewhere would go a long way to getting this offense in shape for another strong run in 2025.

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