“Detroit is one of the greatest sports cities in the world and we are going to continue to work very hard to compete for World Series championships in the Motor City.” – Chris Ilitch, Sept. 2017.

Chris Ilitch assumed control of the Detroit Tigers in February of 2017. Since then, the team has the second-worst record in the MLB, the second-least amount of Runs, fourth-least amount of Hits, third-least amount of Home Runs, fourth-least amount of Walks, fourth-most Strikeouts, and a league-WORST OPS (on-base plus slugging) percentage (.689). These include 2024, when the Gritty ‘Tigs’ shocked the world and made the Postseason for the first time in a decade (2014).

While fans got to enjoy Postseason baseball in Detroit for the first time in ten years, it’s hard to get too excited for the 2025 season, as the biggest signings since 2014 include Jordan Zimmerman ($110M, 2015), Justin Upton ($133M, 2016), Eduardo Rodriguez ($77M, 2021) and Javier Baez ($140M, 2021). None of those players have made a Postseason appearance in a Tigers uniform.

And while Hinch and Co. have broken the glass ceiling and aspire to make another run at the Postseason, the only player they’ve added to the roster which lost the ALDS Game 5 to the division-rival Guardians, is nearly-40-year-old Alex Cobb, who has pitched an average of 78.9 innings per season over the last 6 years, with a 4.00 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP during that stretch. “I think we’re probably done for now [at starting pitcher],” said general manager Jeff Greenberg on Tuesday at the Winter Meetings.

I’d like to now take a look at the Tigers 26-man roster, and highlight a few areas I would like to see another couple impactful additions:

Catcher: Jake Rogers (R)

First Base: Spencer Torkelson (R)

Second Base: Colt Keith (L)

Shortstop: Trey Sweeney (L)

Third Base: Jace Jung (L)

Left Field: Riley Greene (L)

Center Field: Parker Meadows (L)

Right Field: Matt Vierling (R)

Designated Hitter: Kerry Carpenter (L)

Bench: Zach McKinstry (UTL)

Bench: Andy Ibanez (UTL)

Bench: Javy Baez (SS)

Bench: Dillon Dingler (C)

Starting Pitcher 1: Tarik Skubal (L)

Starting Pitcher 2: Reese Olson (R)

Starting Pitcher 3: Alex Cobb (R)

Starting Pitcher 4: Casey Mize (R)

Starting Pitcher 5: Jackson Jobe (R)

Long Relief: Kenta Maeda (R)

Mid Relief: Will Vest (R)

Mid Relief: Sean Guenther (L)

Mid Relief: Brenan Hanifee (R)

Mid Relief: Brant Hurter (L)

Closer: Jason Foley (R)

Closer: Beau Briske (R)

Closer: Tyler Holton (L)

Of course we’ll see Wenceel Perez, Justin Henry-Malloy, Keider Montero, and Ty Madden, among others at times this year, but this is how the Opening-Day Roster is shaping up to be.

Our biggest needs at this time are righty-batting First Baseman, Third Baseman, and Shortstop — if they are done at SP (though, I wouldn’t mind one Walker Buehler, or Jack Flaherty). I think it is pretty unlikely that we add at SS, unless we take the hit and axe Javy.

First Base and Third Base are very interesting, though, and it’s reported that the front office has been kicking the tires on some external options. Let’s dive in to the only options I see worth going after.

1B Paul Goldschmidt: At 37 years old, and two years removed from his MVP season, Goldy provides an intriguing option to fill a need. His .716 OPS in 2024 would’ve been good for fifth-best on the Tigers, even though it was his worst career season. If he can take a step forward, this would be a great signing, and he could be a great mentor to a struggling Tork. Ultimately, on what may be his last contract, I estimate him to be seeking around $12.5M AAV on a one or two year deal.

1B Christian Walker: 33 years old, Walker has been the most valuable player on the Diamondbacks over the last 3 years. He is a masher, launching 95 Round Trippers since 2022. His .803 OPS would have been good for third-best on the Tigers in 2024. Not only can he hit, but he can pick it too, coming off back-to-back-to-back Gold Glove awards. He is highly sought after, and will likely fetch around $23M AAV over three or more years.

1B Pete Alonso: perhaps the most interesting of all the first base options, Alonso, at 30 years of age, would instantly become the Tigers most-feared batter. He’s got consistent 40 Home-Run pop, and, even in a down year he would’ve have the fourth-highest On-Base Percentage of the 2024 Tigers (.329). He’s been voted an All-Star each of the past three seasons, and would he be the most expensive of the other options mentioned. Likely commanding roughly $30M AAV for close to 6 years.

3B Alex Bregman: the only 3B option I see worth the Tigers going after. Coming off of his age 30 season, where he was slightly below average for his standards, Bregman will test the free-agency waters for the first time. The lifelong Astro would become the Tigers best Hot Corner since MVP Miggy. Breg has been as consistent as anyone in the league, consistently batting over league average, drawing walks, hitting 20+ homers, and never striking out over 100 times. Not to mention the Hinch connection. He’ll get Alonso money, about $30M AAV over 4 or so years.

Any one of these would be a massive upgrade on the 2024 lineup, and would help Detroit make their second consecutive Postseason appearance. As Ilitch said, “we are going to continue to work very hard to compete for World Series championships.” We’re waiting, Chris. Open the checkbook and go sign one of these pieces. As it stands currently, Chris Ilitch is the 9th richest owner in the MLB, yet the team has the 8th lowest payroll in the league. Should be noted that even if the Tigers spent big and signed BOTH Alonso and Bregman, they would still be just 14th in Salary Spend among all teams… It’s time to spend if we really want to compete for the World Series.

Which of these players, or others, do you think the Tigers should go after?