Detroit Tigers options with Tarik Skubal: Extend, trade, try to win
On “Days of Roar,” Evan Petzold and Chris Brown break down what could happen with the Detroit Tigers and Tarik Skubal in the 2025-26 MLB offseason.
Troy Watson nearly made his MLB debut in the 2025 season.
It should happen in 2026.
The Detroit Tigers re-signed Watson – a 28-year-old right-hander who hasn’t advanced beyond Triple-A – to a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to spring training, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement granted anonymity because the deal is not official.
Watson will earn $1.2 million if he makes the MLB roster.
The Tigers acquired Watson in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays for cash considerations in August 2024 and re-signed him to a minor league contract in January 2025, then re-signed him to another minor league contract in October 2025.
He seems to be a priority.
The Tigers considered promoting Watson for his MLB debut on Sept. 25, needing a starter against the Cleveland Guardians. The Tigers ended up choosing right-hander Troy Melton, but Watson was in the mix for the spot start.
Watson could be in the mix again during spring training – this time for a spot on the 2026 Opening Day roster, though he will be on the outside looking in when camp begins in mid-February because he isn’t on the 40-man roster.
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In 2025, Watson registered a 2.75 ERA with 37 walks and 97 strikeouts across 104â…” innings in 36 games (14 starts) for Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo.
He transitioned from reliever to starter in Double-A in late June, then received a promotion to Triple-A in late July.
For the Mud Hens, Watson logged a 3.12 ERA with 15 walks and 42 strikeouts across 52 innings in 10 starts. His workload maxed out at six innings and 76 pitches.
Here’s how Watson deployed his five-pitch mix with Triple-A Toledo: four-seam fastball (35%), sweeper (25.5%), cutter (16.3%), sinker (12.6%) and changeup (10.7%).
His fastball averaged 94.6 mph but didn’t miss many bats, while his changeup had a 41% whiff rate but wasn’t used often. He also generated a 37.2% whiff rate with his sweeper and a 30.8% whiff rate with his cutter.
Watson is considered elite based on the raw characteristics of his five pitches, such as velocity, movement, spin and release point, but how those weapons perform against MLB hitters is a question that remains unanswered.
The Tigers plan to find out in 2026.
The Blue Jays selected Watson in the 15th round of the 2018 draft out of Northern Colorado. He owns a 5.39 ERA across 137 innings throughout his Triple-A career, including a 4.09 ERA over 81â…“ innings since joining the Tigers.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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