Detroit Tigers News

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Kenley Jansen • RP • Tigers

Kenley Jansen Agrees to One-Year Deal With Tigers

Free-agent right-handed reliever Kenley Jansen and the Detroit Tigers agreed on a one-year, $11 million deal on Saturday, pending a physical, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Jansen is the second reliever that the Tigers have added this week after they re-signed right-hander Kyle Finnegan to a two-year deal during the winter meetings. Jansen's deal also includes a team option for 2027. Despite being 38 years old, Jansen could open next season as the favorite for saves in Detroit because of his experience (476 career saves). He didn't look his age at all in 2025 with the Los Angeles Angels, posting a 2.59 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 29 saves, 57 strikeouts, and 19 walks in 59 innings out of the bullpen. With that said, Jansen is clearly no longer in his prime, and he's going to have much more competition for saves next year in Finnegan and Will Vest.

11 hours ago

Kenley Jansen • RP • Tigers

Tigers Continue to Pursue Kenley Jansen

Chris Cotillo of Mass Live reports that the Detroit Tigers continue to pursue free-agent right-handed reliever Kenley Jansen, even after they re-signed Kyle Finnegan. The reliever market has moved quickly this past week, and Jansen might be the next one to sign with a team. It's a bit curious that Detroit is still in the market to add the 38-year-old Jansen, though, since they already have both Finnegan and Will Vest to handle closing duties going into next season. If Detroit were to sign Jansen as well, it's unclear how they would structure the back end of their bullpen. Jansen had a solid season in 2025 with the Halos and was tied for eighth in the league with 29 saves. He is nowhere near the dominant closer he once was, but he still posted a very respectable 2.59 ERA and 0.95 WHIP while striking out 57 hitters in 59 innings. The future Hall of Famer's 476 career saves could make him the favorite for closing duties if he were to land in Motown.

2 days ago

Tarik Skubal • SP • Tigers

Tigers Engaged in "Serious Talks" Around Trading Tarik Skubal at the Winter Meetings

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports that the Detroit Tigers "surprised teams by engaging in serious talks" around the possibility of trading starting pitcher Tarik Skubal at the winter meetings this week. Nightengale goes on to predict that Detroit will hang on to Skubal, but it's still noteworthy that the team is apparently willing to listen to offers for its star pitcher. The 29-year-old has won back-to-back American League Cy Young Awards. Across 195 1/3 innings (31 starts) in 2025, Skubal pitched to a 13-6 record with a 2.21 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 241 strikeouts. While the Tigers presumably expect to contend, Skubal can be a free agent at the end of the 2026 season. If the team is unwilling to shell out a monster contract, it could decide that getting a trade return for Skubal is better than watching him leave for nothing.

3 days ago

Kyle Finnegan • RP • Tigers

Tigers, Kyle Finnegan Agree on Two-Year Deal

The Detroit Tigers and right-handed closer Kyle Finnegan agreed to a two-year, $19 million contract on Tuesday night, pending a physical, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN.com. Finnegan will return to Motown after the Tigers acquired him at last summer's trade deadline from the Washington Nationals. The 34-year-old veteran was outstanding in his 16 relief appearances for Detroit, allowing just three earned runs while walking four and striking out 23 in 18 regular-season innings. He also recorded four saves while sharing closing duties with right-hander Will Vest. Finnegan wasn't nearly as dominant with the Nats before the trade, posting a 4.38 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 20 saves in 39 innings. He was third in the league in 2024 with a career-high 38 saves in D.C. Finnegan returns to an ascending Tigers club, but a fourth straight 20-save season is far from a lock.

5 days ago

Drew Anderson • RP • Tigers

Drew Anderson Agrees to One-Year Deal With Tigers

Free-agent right-hander Drew Anderson agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers on Friday that includes a club option, pending a physical, sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Anderson spent the last four years pitching in Japan and Korea. The 31-year-old will come back to the United States after posting a solid 2.25 ERA in 30 starts in Korea this past season. Anderson previously signed a minor-league deal with Detroit in 2024 before departing for Japan in the middle of the year. He was a former 21st-round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2012 out of a high school in Nevada. In five MLB seasons with the Phillies, White Sox, and Rangers, Anderson held a 6.50 ERA and 1.58 WHIP with 30 K's and 17 walks in 44 1/3 innings over 19 outings (two starts). Anderson is expected to compete for a starting role with the Tigers in spring training.

Dec 6

Tarik Skubal • SP • Tigers

Tigers "Doubtful" to Trade Tarik Skubal

The New York Post's Jon Heyman said that the idea of the Detroit Tigers trading left-hander Tarik Skubal is "doubtful." The Tigers offered Skubal less than $80 million for four years at this time a year ago, but it wasn't a realistic offer, and left-hander Garrett Crochet got double that from the Boston Red Sox. Heyman thinks the Tigers will gauge the trade market for Skubal this offseason, and while he won't rule out any trade, he considers it unlikely. The 29-year-old has won the American League Cy Young in back-to-back seasons while going a combined 31-10 with a 2.30 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and a 469:68 K:BB in 62 starts during the regular season. He had career-highs in 2025 in ERA (2.21), WHIP (0.89), strikeouts (241), and innings pitched (195 1/3). The Tigers are likely to hang onto him in the final year of his contract as they look to make the playoffs for the third straight year.

Nov 20

Gleyber Torres • 2B • Tigers

Gleyber Torres Accepts Tigers Qualifying Offer

Second baseman Gleyber Torres has accepted the Detroit Tigers' one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. It's a pretty decent and deserving raise for Torres after he made $15 million in his first year in Motown in 2025. The 28-year-old had sports hernia surgery last month, but he's expected to be ready for the start of spring training in February. Plate discipline was Torres' specialty this year, and it helped him to the third All-Star selection of his career, and the first since his second year in the big leagues with the New York Yankees. In 145 regular-season games, he slashed .256/.358/.387 with a .745 OPS, 16 home runs, 74 RBI, 79 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 628 plate appearances. Torres was a nice fit for the Tigers this year, but he's now had back-to-back seasons of fewer than 20 homers, and fantasy managers definitely shouldn't count on him ever returning to the 30-homer mark like he did back in 2019.

Nov 19

Tarik Skubal • SP • Tigers

Tarik Skubal Wins AL Cy Young for Second Straight Year

Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal was named the American League Cy Young winner for the second straight year on Wednesday night, becoming the first back-to-back winner in the AL since Pedro Martinez in 1999-00, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. Boston Red Sox lefty Garrett Crochet finished second in the voting, with Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown coming in third. Skubal won the AL pitching Triple Crown in 2024 and followed that amazing feat up by posting an AL-best 2.21 ERA and a career-high 241 strikeouts in 195 1/3 regular-season innings in 2025. He also led baseball with a 0.89 ERA. The talented southpaw's changeup was rated as the league's most dominant pitch, and combined with his high-90s heater, he struck out 32.2% of opposing batters and limited them to a .200 average and .559 OPS. Heading into his walk year in Detroit, Skubal will be a clear high-end fantasy ace.

Nov 13

Tarik Skubal • SP • Tigers

Tigers Unlikely to Trade Tarik Skubal

The Detroit Tigers will at least listen to trade offers for left-hander Tarik Skubal, but they "would have to be completely overwhelmed" to move him, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports. MLB teams won't be willing to give up more than two top-10 prospects in exchange for Skubal, knowing that he won't sign an extension and plans to hit free agency following the 2026 season. Nightengale adds that the Tigers are "expected to hang onto him until at least the July 2026 trade deadline." The 28-year-old southpaw is likely to win a second straight American League Cy Young award after leading the league with a 6.5 WAR, 2.21 ERA, 2.45 FIP, and 0.89 WHIP in 195 1/3 innings in 2025. Skubal also struck out a career-high 241 hitters while walking just 33 in 31 regular-season starts. Regardless of where he's pitching in 2026, Skubal will be an elite fantasy ace.

Nov 11

Jack Flaherty • SP • Tigers

Jack Flaherty Elects to Stay With Tigers

Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty is not opting out of his $20 million contract for the 2026 season, according to sources. Flaherty will return to Motown, where he has played in each of the last two seasons. The 30-year-old veteran began the 2024 season in Detroit before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the second half of the season, where he eventually ended up winning a World Series title. He returned to the Tigers in 2025 to go 8-15 with a 4.64 ERA (3.85 FIP), 1.28 WHIP, and 188:59 K:BB in 161 innings over his 31 starts. Flaherty didn't exactly have the season he wanted -- he led the league with his 15 losses -- but a bounce-back certainly could be in the cards in 2026 if he can stay healthy. At the very least, Flaherty's above-average strikeout rate is appealing, even if he has been inconsistent.

Nov 5

Kevin McGonigle • SS • Tigers

Kevin McGonigle in Line for Midsummer Promotion in 2026?

The plan is for the Detroit Tigers to promote their top prospect, shortstop Kevin McGonigle, next season, and the Detroit Free Press' Evan Petzold writes that a "midsummer promotion makes the most sense." The 21-year-old hasn't played above Double-A Erie in the minors, but he's coming soon, and fantasy managers need to take notice. "I expect the players that posted dominant years in Double-A to factor into our big-league team next year," president of baseball operations Scott Harris said. McGonigle ranks second overall on MLB Pipeline's top-100 list going into next season. While nothing is official yet, McGonigle is expected to be in big-league camp during spring training after hitting .305 with 19 home runs, 59 walks, and 46 strikeouts in 88 games with Erie and High-A West Michigan in 2025. At Erie, McGonigle hit .254 with 12 homers, 33 walks, and 26 K's in 46 games, posting a .919 OPS. The Tigers are in win-now mode, so as long as McGonigle is performing in the minors early in 2026, he should make his big-league debut sooner rather than later.

Oct 23

Troy Melton • SP • Tigers

Troy Melton to Move into Starting Rotation

Detroit Tigers pitcher Troy Melton is expected to move into the starting rotation next season. Tigers president of baseball operations and manager A.J. Hinch said at the end of the regular season press conference that Melton would be moved into the rotation next season. Melton posted a 2.76 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and a 36/15 K/BB ratio across 16 games (four starts) with the Tigers this past season. He was a full-time starter in the minors before joining the big league roster. The 24-year-old should be able to make a smooth transition into the rotation in 2026.

Oct 18

Tarik Skubal • SP • Tigers

Mets to Pursue Tarik Skubal

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal could reportedly be on the trade block this offseason. According to Jon Heyman, Skubal and the Tigers are $250 million apart in long-term extension talks. That being said, the Tigers might be willing to move Skubal if the two sides can't agree on a deal. If he's available, the New York Mets are reportedly interested in acquiring Skubal. The Mets have a good young core of pitchers, but certainly need a frontline ace. Skubal would be a great fit in most organizations, but does make sense for the Mets. The 28-year-old isn't set to become a free agent until next offseason. This is a situation to monitor throughout the winter.

Oct 18

Tarik Skubal • SP • Tigers

Tigers, Tarik Skubal Have $250 Million Gap in Contract Talks

The New York Post's Jon Heyman is reporting that the Detroit Tigers and All-Star left-hander Tarik Skubal currently have a gap of around $250 million in contract talks. The word is that a year ago, the Tigers offered Skubal well below the $170 million deal that lefty Garrett Crochet eventually signed with the Boston Red Sox. Skubal, who is entering his walk year with Detroit in 2026, is reportedly seeking an extension in the $400 million range. The 28-year-old's price is only going up, as he's expected to win a second straight American League Cy Young award after going 13-6 in his sixth year in the big leagues in 2025. Skubal led the league in WAR (6.6), ERA (2.21), FIP (2.45), WHIP (0.89), walks per nine innings (1.5) and K/BB (7.30). He's the most dominant pitcher in baseball right now, but if Detroit knows that they are unlikely to sign him to an extension, he could be on the trade market this winter or next summer.

Oct 17

Tarik Skubal • SP • Tigers

Tigers Non-Committal on Tarik Skubal's Contract Situation

When asked about left-hander Tarik Skubal's contract situation, Detroit Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris was non-committal. "He's a Tiger, he's an incredible pitcher," Harris said. "I can't comment on our players being traded. I can't comment on free agents. I can't comment on other teams' players. So, I'm going to respond by just not actually commenting on it." Skubal is probably on his way to a second straight American League Cy Young award in 2025 after going 13-6 while leading the league in ERA (2.21), FIP (2.45), WHIP (0.89), and walks per nine innings (1.5) on his way to striking out a career-best 241 hitters in 195 1/3 regular-season innings over his 31 starts. The 28-year-old has quickly become one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, but he's entering his contract year in Detroit in 2026. If the Tigers don't have plans to commit to a hefty long-term extension with Skubal, he could be trade bait next summer.

Oct 14

Kyle Finnegan • RP • Tigers

Kyle Finnegan Hoping to Return to Detroit in 2026?

Detroit Tigers right-hander Kyle Finnegan said he "loved every second of his time" in Detroit and hopes "the feeling is mutual," per Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. The Tigers acquired Finnegan from the Washington Nationals in a mid-season deal. In 18 innings (16 games) for Detroit, the 24-year-old pitched to a 1.50 ERA and 0.72 WHIP with 23 strikeouts and four saves. Finnegan's season-long numbers are not as impressive, as he recorded a 3.47 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across 57 combined innings with the Nationals and Tigers. Still, he will enter free agency as an experienced closer who has logged 112 saves since the start of the 2021 season.

Oct 11

Gleyber Torres • 2B • Tigers

Gleyber Torres Will Undergo Surgery to Repair Sports Hernia

Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (hernia) is planning to undergo sports-hernia surgery now that his team's season has come to a close, per Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Torres reportedly said he had been playing through the injury for the past month. The 28-year-old is entering free agency this winter after posting a .256/.358/.387 slash line with 16 home runs, 74 RBI, 79 runs, and four stolen bases across 628 plate appearances this season for Detroit. He hit just .209/.317/.314 over his final 101 plate appearances of the regular season, so this injury was likely impacting his performance. Sports hernia surgeries do not usually require an extended recovery timeline, so Torres should be ready to go by the time 2026 Spring Training rolls around.

Oct 11

Colt Keith • 2B • Tigers

Colt Keith Returning for Game 1

Detroit Tigers infielder Colt Keith (ribs) is in the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's Game 1 of the ALDS versus the Seattle Mariners. Keith has been sidelined since the middle of September due to right ribcage inflammation. He ended up being forced to miss the Wild-Card round due to this issue. Keith is back and will bat fifth and serve as the designated hitter for Saturday's Game 1 contest. He won't draw an easy matchup against George Kirby, but Keith does have good career numbers against the right-hander. The Tigers are certainly happy to have the left-handed slugger available for this series.

Oct 4

Parker Meadows • CF • Tigers

Parker Meadows Batting Ninth in Game 3 Against Guardians

Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows has been dropped to ninth in the batting order on Thursday for the deciding Game 3 of the wild-card series against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians. Meadows will patrol center field and will face Guardians right-hander Slade Cecconi. The 25-year-old will drop all the way from leadoff to the nine-hole after going 1-for-8 with a walk and three strikeouts in the first two games of the series. With Parker moving to the bottom of the order, second baseman Gleyber Torres will move from the two-hole to leadoff for the Tigers as they look go advance to face the Seattle Mariners in the American League Division Series this weekend. Against right-handed pitchers during the regular season in 2025, Meadows hit only .220 with all four of his home runs on the year. He will obviously be much less attractive in playoff DFS formats in the nine-hole.

Oct 2

Spencer Torkelson • 1B • Tigers

Spencer Torkelson in the Game 3 Lineup

Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (foot) is starting at first base and will hit cleanup for Thursday's deciding Game 3 of the wild-card series against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians and right-hander Slade Cecconi. X-rays came back negative on Torkelson after he fouled a ball off his foot in the Game 2 loss at Progressive Field on Wednesday. The former first-rounder was also hit by a pitch on his hand/wrist, but he's all good and will hit in the heart of the batting order as the Tigers look to vanquish the Guards and advance to the American League Division Series to face the Seattle Mariners. In the first two games of the wild-card series, Tork has one hit in six at-bats with an RBI, a walk, and three strikeouts. The 26-year-old will be looking for a big hit in the winner-take-all game on Thursday, and he'll be a more risky DFS pick while potentially being at less than 100% with his foot.

Oct 2

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