The Detroit Tigers enter the 2025 offseason with several needs, but there is one storyline that dominates MLB. Will the Tigers trade back-to-back AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal this winter? Skubal, the best pitcher in MLB the last two years, is set to become a free agent after the 2026 season.
Detroit has a critical decision to make this offseason, as it seems unlikely that Skubal will sign an extension with Scott Boras as his agent. Will the Tigers trade Skubal for a massive haul or keep him to compete for the 2026 World Series?
If Detroit plans to keep Skubal, the organization has to go all-in on winning a World Series in 2026. This is the moment for Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris to finally make an aggressive move.
Read More: MLB executive believes Detroit Tigers will trade Tarik Skubal
Why the Detroit Tigers need to be aggressive in 2025 MLB offseason
The Tigers made Game 5 of the ALDS in back-to-back seasons but were unable to advance to the next round. It feels like Detroit has reached its ceiling with this current team, even with Skubal leading the rotation. Therefore, the Tigers need to maximize their World Series window with Skubal by signing Alex Bregman or another star player and by adding more pitching.
As of now, the Tigers have shown “lukewarm” interest in Bregman, but that could change during the MLB Winter Meetings. With no changes to the starting lineup at this point, Detroit can’t afford to go into the 2026 MLB season without a significant addition like Bregman. It won’t be good enough to make the World Series.
The offense struggled in September/October, and if the Tigers want to keep Skubal, it makes no sense to “run it back” with the same lineup. If that is the plan, Detroit would be better off moving Skubal and hoping to acquire multiple MLB-ready players. There is no point in keeping the same lineup with Skubal.
Detroit has also been looking at pitching this winter, and even if they sign a player like Bregman or Bo Bichette, it still needs to be addressed. Michael King would be a great fit, but if the organization signs a star offensive player, it wouldn’t hurt to save money on a starter and allocate more funds to the bullpen.
Kyle Finnegan and Pete Fairbanks would be very beneficial. Finnegan would help solidify the back of the bullpen while Fairbanks locks down the ninth inning. The Tigers must sign at least two bullpen arms, and bringing back Finnegan would be a good start.
Detroit needs to pick a lane because it would be irresponsible to keep Skubal and not go all-in on winning a World Series. If the Tigers move Skubal, it would be understandable since there is more value available than a compensation pick. But it is simply inexcusable not to trade Skubal and make moves around the margins.
The Tigers have focused on their prospects during the “Scott Harris Era,” but they have to make an aggressive move at some point. Detroit has built its identity on development, and that is perfectly fine; however, aggression and in-house development can be beneficial when combined.
It is time for Harris and the Tigers to open the checkbooks. Bregman or Bichette would be an excellent start while adding pitching depth to its rotation and bullpen. Detroit can’t simply bank on improvement to take its team to the next level. There has to be aggression to make the World Series in 2026.
If not, trading Skubal is the best option.
