Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images

The 2025 season was a very good one for the Detroit Tigers, as it saw them get back to the postseason once again. While the team did fall in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, it took an epic Game 5 extra-inning outcome to knock them out.

*PREDICTION*

So, as this organization heads toward the 2026 season, there is reason for optimism around this group. Detroit has its eyes on going after a World Series title, and with the current group in place, many around the game believe that the Tigers can be a threat.

With ace Tarik Skubal leading the starting rotation, the Tigers have a dependable, shut-down type of pitcher to put out on the mound every few days. But this team could also use another arm for the pitching staff, and we’ve seen that teams that have strong pitching depth tend to find more success on the field.

Behind Skubal, the Tigers have decent arms to throw out, but there isn’t anything that may scare opposing teams. Veteran right-handed Jack Flaherty can be solid on the mound, but he has had consistency issues over the course of his career.

Casey Mize has started to show more promise as a pitcher, but again, the Tigers may want to make a move to add another starter to the mix. We could see this take place either in free agency or via the trade market, with a trade much more likely due to how the team is likely to operate.

But the difference between the front office addressing the starting rotation depth or not could change everything for this team going forward. If the Tigers truly want to win a World Series this season, then making a move before the year starts should be the biggest priority, with the offseason coming to a close.

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One name that the Tigers could look to go after is veteran right-hander Mitch Keller of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who has been placed in trade rumors for a number of years. The Pirates are rich with pitching, and many have speculated that Keller could be on the move before the new season kicks off.

The right-hander posted a good 2025 season, and it was the fourth straight year that he made at least 29 starts and had an ERA around the 4.00 mark. Overall, he pitched in 176.2 innings for the Pirates, putting up an ERA of 4.19, with a 20 percent strikeout rate, and a 6.8 percent walk rate.

Keller could be a perfect No. 2 starter for this team behind Skiubal, and the organization would feel very good about him taking the mound. The righty has been extremely dependable and a guy who can eat innings during the regular season over his career.

Detroit could invest by adding Keller since he is on his current contract for three total years, including the 2026 season. This could be a strong insurance move for the team, just in case Subal were to leave the franchise after this year, since he will be a free agent.

But for the upcoming 2026 season, the Tigers could have a strong one-two punch at the top of the starting rotation, giving them more of a chance to win games. With them playing in a weaker AL Central division, Detroit could look to push the cards in to go after a World Series right now.