The Detroit Tigers Bolster Their Squad with Two Important Additions to Overcome Cleveland's Challenge
Detrotit Tigers fans might've put their heartbreak over the Lions' Division Championship loss aside, but the excitement is back in town. Spring training is kicking off this week in Lakeland, Florida for the Tigers, who looked solid during the 2024 season with an 86-76 record. Despite falling short of first-place Cleveland in the Central Division by 6.5 games, the Tigers have plenty to look forward to in the baseball season.
Moolah Matters
According to sportrac.com, the Tigers currently sport a tax payroll of $143,000,416, ranking 19th among Major League Baseball teams. While this is an increase from the $104-$114 million spent in the previous season, the Tigers are still playing in a smaller market compared to other teams within the American League Central Division. Speaking of which, look at the Chicago White Sox with a $67,829,999 tax payroll and ranking 29th. Only the Miami Marlins are lagging behind the White Sox.
This Offseason
The question on everyone's minds is, have the Tigers done enough to catch up to the Cleveland Guardians, who are grieving the loss of powerful first baseman Josh Naylor and Gold Glove second baseman Andres Gimenez? With the recent additions of Gleyber Torres, Jack Flaherty, Tommy Kahnle, and Alex Cobb, the Tigers are certainly making some moves to make their way to the top.
Faces to Watch
Descending upon the Tigers this offseason are two standout players who will shake things up in Detroit. Let's take a peek at these fresh faces:
1- Gleyber Torres
Grabbing a one-year, $15 million contract, Torres can send a mighty boom from the right side of the plate into a lineup filled with impressive, young left-handed hitters. At 28, Torres has made a musical chairs routine going from the Chicago Cubs to the New York Yankees, then hitting free agency, and finally joining up with the Tigers.
Last season he smashed 15 home runs with 80 runs scored and 63 RBIs in 665 plate appearances, while supervising 18 errors at second base for the Yankees - his highest total to date. But Torres's plate discipline and ability to get on base could be a valuable addition to a promising offense.
2- Jack Flaherty
Coming in with a two-year, $35 million contract, Flaherty is like an old friend, making his comeback to an almost familiar rotation. Originally selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the 2014 draft, Flaherty has had some time for a reunion with the Tigers.
Including parts of seven seasons with St. Louis, one stint with Baltimore, and now back with the Tigers, Flaherty has the experience and the fire to step into a crucial role. His career 3.63 ERA in 153 starts and 829.2 innings thrown is impressive, and if he can stay healthy in 2025, he could make a big splash in the Tigers' starting rotation.
With these standout players accompanying the Tigers this offseason, Detroit sports fans have a lot to cheer about as baseball season kicks off.
The Tigers' increased tax payroll of $143,000,416 in 2025 is still lower than some of their divisional rivals, such as the Chicago White Sox with a tax payroll of $67,829,999. This offseason, the Tigers have bolstered their roster with notable additions like Gleyber Torres and Jack Flaherty, who could help alleviate the absence of players like Josh Naylor and Andres Gimenez from the Cleveland Guardians. Torres' one-year, $15 million contract brings a powerful right-handed bat to a lineup filled with left-handed hitters, while Flaherty's two-year, $35 million deal will provide stability in the starting rotation.
