As the MLB Winter Meetings approach, the Detroit Tigers enter the week with more questions than answers. The organization has taken noticeable steps forward developing young talent, but the big-league roster and upper-minors depth chart still reveal gaps that must be addressed if Detroit expects to get to the ALCS and beyond.

Detroit isn’t in teardown mode anymore, but it also isn’t deep enough to withstand injuries or slow development curves. That reality makes next week a pressure point. It has been quiet, minus the “The Tigers are interested” in this name, and they were in the hunt for Ryan Helsley as reported by Evan Petzold of Freep.com

Here are the three biggest areas the Tigers need to clarify.

Advertisement

1. Rebuilding a Bullpen That Can Survive Six Months

The Tigers’ bullpen was stretched thin for most of 2025 of guys that had high K rates, and the acquisition of Kyle Finnegan was huge, but he is still unsigned, so it leaves the group short on reliable, high-leverage options. Detroit has been active in the reliever market, but they still lack a defined setup bridge and another dependable strikeout arm.

The issue isn’t just performance — it’s durability. Detroit’s bullpen has been tasked with heavy innings due to a rotation that struggled to consistently pitch deep into games. The front office can’t assume that internal growth alone will solve that. Whether it’s a swing-and-miss right-hander, a lefty with command, or someone who can handle multi-inning stints, the Tigers need two legitimate additions.

If the goal is meaningful contention, this group cannot enter 2026 with the same level of volatility.

Advertisement

2. Figuring Out Third Base: Internal Trust or Free Agent Upgrade?

The Tigers’ next move at third base will reveal how they view both Colt Keith and their timeline for competing.

Internally, Keith has the bat to make the job his. His swing decisions, hard-hit ability, and adjustments at the MLB level show real offensive upside. But the defensive questions linger. Detroit has cycled through instability on the left side for years; committing to Keith full-time requires a belief that his defense can catch up quickly.

The external option is the loud one: Alex Bregman. He would instantly stabilize the infield, bring postseason experience, and deepen the lineup with on-base consistency. But Bregman will be costly, and signing him would signal that the Tigers are series and upped their offer from last season.

Advertisement

The Winter Meetings may not finalize this decision, but they should clearly signal Detroit’s direction to patience with development, like having Kevin McGonigle start the season in Toledo or a major acquisition that fast-tracks expectations.

3. Restocking Rotation and Bullpen Depth in Toledo and Erie

Detroit’s upper-minors pitching depth is dangerously thin, the result of injuries and stalled development across 2024–25. Triple-A Toledo and Double-A Erie both spent much of the past season patching rotations, and now the Tigers risk losing arms such as RJ Petit, who could be selected due to his size, traits, and production.

The concern goes beyond losing one pitcher. The Tigers don’t have enough ready arms to cover rotation needs, multi-inning relief, or emergency call-ups. Contending teams churn through pitchers all season; Detroit, as constructed, would have to reshuffle the big-league pitching plan after just one injury.

Advertisement

Adding inventory, swingmen, strike-throwers with options, starters, and relievers with at least one carrying pitch, is essential. Toledo and Erie don’t just need innings-eaters; they need pitchers who could reasonably help the major-league club in 2026. Projecting the rotations right now in December for Toledo and Erie seems rather pointless, because while it is early in the winter, before you blink, pitchers, and catchers will have to report to spring training.

Final Thought

The Tigers aren’t entering the Winter Meetings with a chaotic roster, but they are entering with uncertainty in key areas. Rebuilding the bullpen, defining third base, and improving upper-level pitching depth are the action items that can turn incremental progress into a credible AL Central push. What Detroit does next week should set the tone for the rest of the offseason and determine how ambitious the organization truly is.

Follow me on “X” @rogcastbaseball.