The Detroit Tigers’ offseason has been relatively quiet, with few blockbuster moves to make headlines, but it’s not necessarily been a bad one. However, if the front office doesn’t take a more aggressive approach in strengthening the roster, it’s difficult to see them replicating their 2024 success in 2025. For a team that’s been rebuilding for years, the Tigers’ progress has been encouraging, but the next step requires more than just maintaining the current trajectory.
Last year was a step in the right direction for the Tigers, as they saw promising performances from a number of their young talents. Players like Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, and Tarik Skubal showed flashes of their potential, and it was clear that the foundation for success was being built. If these young players can continue to develop and perform at or above the level they demonstrated during parts of the 2024 season, the Tigers’ future looks bright.
However, to truly become a legitimate contender in the competitive American League, Detroit must make a more significant investment in its roster. The team has shown they can build a strong foundation, but to compete consistently with the league’s elite teams—like the Houston Astros, New York Yankees, and the defending World Series champion teams—they will need to add experienced players and perhaps a few stars to complement their rising stars.
There are clear opportunities for the Tigers to strengthen their roster over the winter. The team still has plenty of assets, including valuable young players who could be traded for immediate impact talent, and their top-ranked farm system offers a wealth of prospects that could be part of any potential deal. Furthermore, with financial flexibility, the Tigers are in a position to make some significant moves in free agency or via trade.
This combination of youth, resources, and money has positioned the Tigers to be one of the more intriguing teams heading into the 2025 season. Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report even ranked them among the teams most likely to improve their roster heading into spring training. With a roster that could be a mix of blossoming stars and experienced veterans, the Tigers are in a strong position to make a push for contention in the very near future.
Ultimately, though, it will be about the front office deciding when to spend and how to spend wisely. If the Tigers can strike the right balance between developing their young players and making the necessary acquisitions to bolster their squad, 2025 could be the year they re-establish themselves as serious contenders in the AL.
