What are the Detroit Tigers' biggest offseason questions after a disappointing 2026 season?
President of baseball operations Scott Harris enters his fifth season leading the decisions in the front office, along with manager A.J. Hinch.
There is an MLB lockout looming before the 2027 season. How might that affect the Tigers and the roster in free agency?
We asked our experts for the biggest question they have brewing about the Tigers going into the 2026-27 offseason.
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How will Tigers' younger pitchers perform?
Christian Romo: I think the Tigers' goal to get younger and more athletic among their position players is going to work out. I'm not worried about the offense next season (assuming there is a next season, of course).
The starting pitching, however,
might be a mess. Framber Valdez, 32, is going to be at the top of the rotation and will probably put in 30 solid starts as he always does. But Troy Melton (25 years old), Jackson Jobe (24), Reese Olson (27) and River Ryan (28) all have high ceilings and long injury histories that could make 2027 a season-long game of musical chairs in the rotation. And unless the Tigers make another expensive offseason signing, they don't have much in the minors to save them should two of these starters have extended stints on the injured list.
Basically, if Keider Montero (26) once again starts the season in the minors or in the bullpen, don't expect him to stick there for long.
Where will Kevin McGonigle be positioned in 2027?
Jared Ramsey: McGonigle, the favorite for the American League Rookie of the Year Award, bounced back and forth between second base and shortstop during his transcendent debut season. He played 90 games at short and 85 at third (along with five starts as a designated hitter) as a versatile defensive piece. Will he stick at one spot in his second season – either third base or shortstop – or will he continue to move around, splitting time with teammates such as Colt Keith and Javier Báez (a valuable defender who's entering the final year of his six-year contract)?
McGonigle was a solid defender at both positions as a rookie, while providing elite value as a top-of-the-lineup hitter at just age 21, and it will be interesting to see if that formula changes as his career ages.
Who's on first?
Ryan Ford: With apologies to the sainted Abbott and Costello, I don't know. (Third base!)
Yes, Spencer Torkelson was the No. 1 overall pick in 2020, and he still has two more years of team control, albeit with a likely raise via arbitration (or a negotiated deal). And yes, his 26 homers – including six in September – present the potential for a breakout season next year. (As did his 31 last year, and his 31 in 2023 – offensive hope can not live on home runs alone.)
But he also went all of August without a homer, as the Tigers' offense (and their playoff hopes) finally fell apart. In all, he finished with a 114 OPS+; 100 is league average ... but of the 20 qualified first basemen this season, his 114 ranks 15th.
Maybe his potential cost certainty, even with a likely raise, outweighs the uncertainty of his bat, but the Tigers have potentially younger, cheaper options, too, to add to an already crowded infield: Colt Keith got 17 games with time at first base this season, Eduardo Valencia spent about a third of his Triple-A time this season at first, and slugger Josue Briceño – their No. 4 prospect, per MLBPipeline – tore up Double-A this season (though he did cool off in a short Triple-A stint).
Who's the ace?
Shawn Windsor: As of now, the Tigers' rotation is bereft of a frontline ace. This can change in the offseason, depending on Scott Harris' priorities. This could also change if right-hander Troy Melton builds on his midseason stretch this season where he looked like an ace. Jackson Jobe also has ace-like stuff, just not ace-like experience (or, at times, ace-like command).
Of all the pitchers in the system, though, he may have the highest ceiling. Rounding out the rotation should be Framber Valdez, Reese Olson and either Drew Anderson, River Ryan or Keider Montero. It's an intriguing mix, and potentially an effective mix, as long as the top gets sorted out.
Where is the consistency?
Jeff Seidel: Before the Tigers fix their bullpen. Before they solidify their starting rotation. Before they figure out where Kevin McGonigle should play. Before they figure out what to do about Kerry Carpenter and Spencer Torkelson, there is something else.
They have to answer this question: Why in the heck does this team seem so Jekyll and Hyde?
Why does this team seem to have such different personalities?
How did this group play so amazing down the stretch in 2024? Then, basically, the same group played great through 2025 only to limp into the playoffs? And how did many of those same guys completely fall apart in May in 2026?
Sure, injuries are part of the story. But not all the story.
Sure, the bullpen is part of the story. But not all the story.
Sure, losing close games is a huge part of it. But not all of it.
At times, the offense explodes. Then, it disappears. This team has been both maddening and fascinating at the same time.
But it needs to find consistency. Season-long consistency. Not magic runs. Not month-long collapses.
And until they figure that out, until they answer that question, it’s going to keep happening.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers biggest offseason questions, from who's on 1B, to who's the ace?
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