A lockout is almost certainly coming, bringing with it a long fight between players and owners this offseason. For Tigers fans, this means it is incredibly tough to get hyped about free agency right now, even if it is usually a tough sell in the first place. While there’s talk that top free agent Tarik Skubal might actually sign before the December 1st lockout, with the Dodgers, Mets, and Cubs looking like his main suitors, that’s a pretty unique scenario. Honestly, most free agents are expected to just wait for the new collective bargaining agreement terms to drop. Teams also need to know their payroll limits to budget for free agents. But here’s the kicker: we are still going to see teams make moves to shore up their depth before the whole league shuts down.
Scott Harris’s Depth Playbook: Same Story, Different Pitcher?
Tigers GM Scott Harris has this thing he does, right? He tries to grab a depth starter early every offseason. And if we’re being real, these moves have mostly gone pretty poorly. Drew Anderson last year was a bit better, sure, but that’s not exactly a ringing endorsement. Still, Harris clearly emphasizes getting some depth shopping done early, probably hoping to avoid a forced move later on. The strategy itself is sound, especially with a lockout on the horizon, but the execution has been rough due to picking the wrong arms. I wouldn’t be surprised one bit to see him try it again, even with the track record.
What the Tigers Actually Need (and Won’t Pay For)
The Tigers have a solid core for their rotation next season, no doubt. But here’s the problem: they just are not that deep. While by 2028 they might have some real pitching prospects coming up, right now, the cupboard is bare. And let’s not forget, we have been talking about this since the regular season wrapped: the Tigers desperately need high-leverage relievers. The best way to get them? Convert one or two existing starters, guys with great stuff but limited recent workloads, into bullpen beasts. To do that, they absolutely need to pick up another starting option this offseason. The criteria are super simple: we’re talking short-term deals here. The Tigers are highly unlikely to chase any big-name starting pitching targets. National media can keep reporting that Detroit is “keeping tabs” on the Tarik Skubal market, but come on, nobody is buying that as long as his reported price tag is well north of $300 million. Unless Scott Harris suddenly decides to ditch his usual approach, the Tigers are angling purely for depth. So, when and if they add an arm, do not expect a thrilling, headline-grabbing signing.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bless You Boys.
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