Tigers show faith in Spencer Torkelson after Paul Goldschmidt rumors surface

The Detroit Tigers, fresh off their trip to the MLB postseason, are looking to build off their successful 2024 campaign. Detroit used an historic late-season surge to make it to the playoffs and knocked off longtime ALCS mainstay, the Houston Astros.

But if Detroit wants to repeat that level of success, and take it a step further, they'll need to beef up the roster this offseason. And while some fans and pundits have opined that it's time to cut bait with former first-round pick Spencer Torkelson, Tigers President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris disagrees.

Harris gave Tork a vote of cofidence during Day 1 of the MLB Winter Meetings on Monday. "He was the No. 1 overall pick," Harris said. "He's immensely talented. Just like these young guys, we got to stick with him. We got to keep finding ways to get a little bit more out of him."

Tigers show faith in Spencer Torkelson after Paul Goldschmidt rumors surface

That's certainly a relief for Torkelson who'd no doubt heard the rumors of the Tigers' interest in former NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt. According to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, Goldschmidt is drawing interest from Detroit after a down year with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Goldschmidt, of course, began his career withe Arizona Diamondbacks and was traded to the Cardinals prior to the 2019 season. During his first five seasons in the Gateway City, Goldschmidt hit .286/.373/.500 with 131 homers and a 138 OPS+. Last year, however, Goldschmidt posted a meager slash line of just .245/.302/.414. The Cardinals chose not to retain the seven-time All-Star and allowed him to enter free agency this offseason.

Goldschmidt will not command top-dollar this winter, and if there was ever a perfect mentor to come alongside Torkelson, it's the four-time Gold Glove Award winner. With both Gio Urshela and Mark Canha now free agents, the Tigers are lacking that veteran presence in the clubhouse. Goldschmidt could certainly provide that, and perhaps plenty of pop from the right side if he bounces back in 2025. The 37-year-old is definitely a name worth keeping an eye at this week's Winter Meetings, and perhaps it's time to stop putting Torkelson in mock trades.

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