2024 Record: 86-76
General Manager: Scott Harris (entering year 3)
Manager: A.J. Hinch (entering year 5)
Notable Offseason Acquisitions: SP Jack Flaherty (2 years, 35 million), 2B Gleyber Torres (1 year, 15 million), SP Alex Cobb (1 year, 15 million), RP Tommy Kahnle (1 year, 7.75 million), RP John Brebbia (1 year, 2.75 million)
The Detroit Tigers were one of the biggest surprises in major league baseball in 2024. They made the playoffs for the first time since 2014 and took the division rival Cleveland Guardians to five games in the ALDS. It was a very successful season on many fronts, and they also got some superb production from two stars in particular.
Starting pitcher Tarik Skubal burst onto the scene to have one of the best seasons by a starter in years. He led MLB starters in WAR (6.3), wins (18), and strikeouts (228) while also leading the American League in ERA (2.39) and FIP (2.49). He easily clinched the AL Cy Young Award and achieved the pitching Triple Crown in the process. Outfielder Riley Greene also broke through for the Tigers on the offensive side, putting up a 5.4 WAR with a .262 batting average along with 24 home runs and a .827 OPS.
For the first time in years, Detroit was going into the offseason with positive momentum on their side. They knew they had to make some moves to beef up the squad to take the next steps forward. Bringing back a starter in Jack Flaherty was definitely a big move that made waves. Flaherty started 2024 with the Tigers, but he was subsequently traded at the deadline to the Los Angeles Dodgers before Detroit went on their massive second-half winning streak. Between both teams, he had a phenomenal year as put up a 3.17 ERA and struck out nearly 200 hitters. He is a perfect number two to complement Skubal and it deepens their overall pitching staff in the process in a legitimate way.
Detroit’s next big move was signing second baseman Gleyber Torres, who finished a seven-year stint with the New York Yankees. Torres is a solid hitter who can provide some decent pop in the middle of the Tigers lineup with Greene, designated hitter Kerry Carpenter, and outfielder Matt Vierling. Their two new relievers Tommy Kahnle and John Brebbia should deepen the already solid bullpen and signing starting pitcher Alex Cobb is a high-upside veteran who can provide solid production when healthy in the back end of the rotation.
The Tigers tried to finish strong by attempting to sign Alex Bregman in free agency, the premier third baseman on the free agent market this offseason. Unfortunately for Detroit, Bregman decided to sign with the Boston Red Sox. This news was very disappointing for the fanbase, as a Bregman addition could have brought the already solid lineup to another stratosphere.
Even so, all aspects of this Detroit Tigers squad are much improved compared to last season and they seem ready to do damage in 2025. The rest of the AL Central has question marks except the Guardians, so they will be in contention for first place in the division. A feat they haven’t achieved in nearly 10 years. Comerica Park should be a buzz this season as the 2025 Tigers are expected to bring excitement to a city that has been desperately waiting.
