"The Tigers hired Scott Harris as president of baseball operations in September of 2022. The team was in a rut at that point, having not made the playoffs since 2014. They finally pulled out of rebuilding mode by making the playoffs in 2024 and 2025."
"Despite the return to contention, the front office's approach has generally come across as risk-averse. Last winter, they signed a number of free agents but mostly on the modest side. They were all one-year deals except for their two-year deal with Jack Flaherty."
"With Tarik Skubal entering his final year of club control before reaching free agency, the 2026 season seemed like a good time to put some chips on the table."
The Tigers organization, under Scott Harris's leadership since 2022, has shifted from a rebuilding phase to contention after making the playoffs in 2024 and 2025. However, their approach remained conservative until this offseason. Despite a strong regular season in 2025, the team's deadline acquisitions proved underwhelming, and a September collapse cost them the division title. With star pitcher Tarik Skubal entering his final year of club control before free agency, the Tigers finally increased their spending and made bolder moves. This represents a significant departure from their previous risk-averse strategy and positions them as the strongest team in their division.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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