What a (realistic) dream Detroit Tigers offseason would look like heading into 2025

The stove is hot and the premier free agents are looking for new homes. From Juan Soto to Alex Bregman and Corbin Burnes to Max Fried, there are plenty of opportunities to help the Detroit Tigers. They have needs for starting pitching, corner infielders, and veteran leadership.

Though many fans suspect they'll be let down by the organization's spending, that won't stop us from dreaming. Let's build the ideal offseason for the Tigers, but the goal is to keep it somewhat realistic (sorry Juan Soto fans).

What could a realistic dream offseason look like for the Detroit Tigers?

Firstly, let's shore up the starting rotation. Tarik Skubal will be back as the Opening Day starter next year and Jackson Jobe is believed to also be in the mix after his late-season promotion. Reese Olson, Brant Hurter, Keider Montero, and Matt Manning will also be in the mix. The feeling is that Casey Mize will be out, and Keider Montero should seize his opportunity. That puts two openings in the rotation with Skubal, Jobe, and Montero already in.

The team will likely stick with Olson, given their commitment to him over the past couple of seasons. This leaves the team with an opening, especially toward the top of the rotation. There have been rumblings of a return from Justin Verlander or Max Scherzer, but the Tigers should not waste time with them. Jack Flaherty would be a nice return, but he is destined to stay with his hometown, defending World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The Tigers could go big here and shoot for Burnes, but with Chris Ilitch at the helm, the more reasonable option would be Nathan Eovaldi, Walker Buehler or Sean Manaea.

If they can add one or two of those guys, they also have Brant Hurter and Matt Manning, who are solid options, as needed. (or as trade fodder).

Next, let us address the corner infield. Third base is a mess. Jung is not ready yet, and he can play second base to shift things up. The Tigers could slide Jung to second and put Colt Keith at first base, which is a move some fans would like to see. That could fix first base, but third base still needs to be addressed. The obvious choice is Alex Bregman, who would reunite with longtime Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch and could finally be the face of a franchise after following in the shadows of Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve for years.

There are some other minor options, but the Tigers need to make a splash. Bregman is one of the best players in the league and the Tigers need to take charge of his market and make the impact move everybody's been waiting for.

As for first base, if the Tigers don't go with the Jung/Keith shift, the position will either see Spencer Torkelson or an outside candidate. Many are hopeful of Pete Alonso coming to the Motor City, but the star probably wants to be in a big market. Christian Walker of the Arizona Diamondbacks could be a nice addition on a shorter-term deal.

For the sake of argument, let's have the Tigers move on from Torkelson, as it looks like they might, and build an infield of Bregman, Sweeney, Keith, Walker, from third to first.

The bullpen could use a true closer. We can bring in Tanner Scott, formerly of the San Diego Padres and Miami Marlins, as another late-inning bullpen arm to join Jason Foley and Tyler Holton. That will also give them another lefty, too. Scott will bring late-inning experience and more playoff mettle to the bullpen, which a team can never have enough of.

The outfield looks good with Riley Greene, Parker Meadows, and Wenceel Perez. Kerry Carpenter is currently the best hitter on the team and should serve as the designated hitter. Adding Bregman and Walker will bring two necessities in veteran leadership and right-handed power bats. The team could not hit home runs last year and were overloaded by lefties at the plate.

As one final piece to the puzzle, let's have an addition by subtraction and send Javier Baez to the first team willing to listen, for whatever price they would like. Trey Sweeney can stay at shortstop, and fans can stop being tormented by Baez's poor play. Kenta Maeda should be soon to follow that departure. Now we're talkin'.