The Detroit Tigers signed Alex Cobb to a one-year deal yesterday and were linked to many names Walker Buehler, Andrew Heaney, Kyle Gibson, and Paul Goldschmidt. It seems they are leaning towards small one-year prove-it deals which could lead to trades at the deadline if they are out of it for prospects to build up an already strong farm system, or have key pieces around the current core they have built. Aside from the addition yesterday there were many updates on the current Tigers.
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First Base
Spencer Torkelson was a first overall pick by the Tigers in 2020 and over his first three seasons things haven’t been great, there have been flashes of the type of player he can be but nothing consistent. That has sparked the conversation of adding at first base which brings up the link to Paul Goldschmidt. Besides Goldschmidt, the Tigers may be working in-house as it was reported that Colt Keith and Justyn-Henry Malloy would be taking ground balls at first base to add some versatility. It was also noted that Keith would not play third base so the Tigers may look to add there.
Catcher
The backstop in Detroit looks set as it was mentioned that Jake Rogers and Dillon Dingler are on track to be the Opening Day catchers. Rogers offensively hit .197 last season with a .607 OPS while Dingler made his big league debut in 2024 playing in 27 games hitting .167 with a .505 OPS. The Tigers like both of them more so for their defense and whatever they can provide offensively is a bonus.
Starting Pitching
With the addition of Cobb the Tigers now have 11 starting pitchers Tarik Skubal, Reese Olson, Jackson Jobe, Keider Montero, Brant Hurter, Ty Madden, Kenta Maeda, Sawyer Gipson-Long, Casey Mize, and Matt Manning.
Kenta Maeda
Maeda’s first season with Detroit didn’t go as planned as he saw himself moved from the rotation to the bullpen. He made 29 appearances, 17 of which were starts going 3-7 with a 6.09 ERA, a 4.96 FIP, a 1.38 WHIP, a 2.5 BB/9, and a 7.7 K/9. As a reliever in 2024, he posted a 3.86 ERA, a 3.79 FIP, a 1.07 WHIP, a 1.5 BB/9, and an 8.8 K/9. It was reported yesterday that he has started throwing and lifting a lot already which is earlier this season than in recent years.
Jackson Jobe
Jobe is the Tigers’ top pitching prospect, and he got his taste of the big leagues last season as well as the postseason. He appeared in two regular-season games and didn’t allow a run, he did give up one hit, walked one, and struck out two in four innings. In the postseason he appeared in two games posting a 16.17 ERA, a 2.99 WHIP, and zero strikeouts in 1.2 innings. Scott Harris said yesterday he expects him to be a mainstay in the rotation just not sure of the timeline of when. He wants Jobe to work on his strike-throwing pitching hitters in different ways and trust his stuff in the zone.
Sawyer Gipson-Long
Gipson-Long missed all of 2024 with left hip labral repair and a right elbow sprain. He is reportedly playing catch from 120’ three times per week. In 2023 in four starts he went 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA, a 3.16 FIP, a 1.10 WHIP, a 3.6 BB/9, and an 11.7 K/9 in 20 innings.
Alex Lange
Lange who is dealing with a right lat strain is also playing catch from 120’ three times a week. Last season in 21 appearances he went 0-3 with two saves, a 4.34 ERA, a 3.97 FIP, a 1.77 WHIP, a 8.2 K/9, and a 10.1 K/9 in 18.2 innings.
Tyler Mattison
Mattison who is dealing with the right UCL reconstruction is scheduled to start his bullpen progressions this week. He last pitched in 2023 with High-A West Michigan and Double-A Erie making 41 appearances with five of those coming as starts going 5-1 with a 2.41 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP, a 4.2 BB/9, and a 13.7 K/9 in 59.2 innings.
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Jace Jung
Jung reportedly underwent an arthroscopic procedure to treat right wrist inflammation. He is expected to be ready for Spring Training. Last season in 34 games he hit .241 with a .665 OPS; he had five doubles, three RBI, 14 runs scored, and 15 walks. In the postseason, he went 0-2 with an RBI.
Javier Baez
Baez whose season ended due to a right hip and lumbar spine inflammation. He initiated a running progression and is expected to start light defensive drills this week. Baez had a disastrous 2024 season as he hit .184 with a .516 OPS; he had 12 doubles, six home runs, 37 RBI, 25 runs scored, eight stolen bases, and 12 walks in 80 games.
Wrap Up:
Scott Harris also said that yesterday, they engaged with teams and agents about potential deals, but free agent prices have been staggering this winter. The Winter Meetings are taking place this week and deals are likely expected to start flowing especially with Juan Soto now being signed, it’s not the halfway point of the offseason but it’s certainly when things start to ramp up and Detroit could be in for an interesting offseason coming off their first playoff appearance since 2014.
