The 2025 season was a roller coaster for the Detroit Tigers. They went from owning the best record in baseball to blowing a 15.5-game division lead and barely sneaking into the postseason. In the span of a few months, Detroit showcased both its incredible potential and its alarming inconsistency.
After being the exciting young surprise team in 2024, the Tigers entered new territory in 2025—they became legitimate contenders. And with contender status comes higher expectations. Beating the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Wild Card Series was a step forward, but getting eliminated by the Seattle Mariners in the ALDS made it clear that this roster still has flaws that must be fixed to reach the next level.
Fortunately, Scott Harris appears to have a vision for the future of the franchise. Unfortunately, that plan doesn’t seem to fully align with where the team stands heading into this crucial offseason.
After extending manager AJ Hinch to ensure long-term stability in the dugout, Scott Harris offered insight into how the Tigers plan to approach the offseason. The answer? Surprisingly little.
“I expect the players that posted dominant years in Double-A to factor into our big league team next year,” Harris said. “Does that affect what we do this winter? Absolutely—how could it not?” He also emphasized the importance of “preserving opportunities” for young players, even while acknowledging the Tigers will be expected to contend in 2026.
Two prospects stand out as part of this strategy: Kevin McGonigle, the No. 2 overall prospect in baseball, and Max Clark, ranked No. 8. Harris even singled out McGonigle, who has seen time at shortstop, second base, and is now getting additional reps in the Arizona Fall League.
These prospects do align with areas of need. With Trey Sweeney’s unreliability and Javy Báez’s wildly inconsistent season, shortstop should be a top priority. If Gleyber Torres leaves in free agency, second base becomes another hole. Meanwhile, Tigers third basemen combined for a 76 wRC+, 26th in MLB. McGonigle could help—but only at one spot.
Clark could eventually replace Parker Meadows, who has struggled both to stay healthy and to produce. And that doesn’t even touch the pitching staff. The rotation needs stability behind Tarik Skubal, and the bullpen needs a near-total overhaul.
Other issues linger. Detroit was the fourth-most strikeout-heavy lineup in baseball, leading to the bizarre decision to pinch-hit for their 2025 home run leader in the postseason. And while they have several good bats, they lack a true impact hitter—the type who can carry a team in October. That deficiency was laid bare in Game 5 of the ALDS, when the Tigers’ No. 2-5 hitters went a combined 0-for-23 with 10 strikeouts.
Harris was criticized at the trade deadline for acquiring only short-term stopgaps that made marginal impact. Based on his recent comments, it now appears that even in July, he was planning to lean on the farm system to fill out the 2026 roster.
But if he fully commits to this approach, he risks keeping the contention window technically “open” without ever making it wide enough to actually break through. That leaves Detroit stuck in purgatory: good, but not great—never truly positioned to win it all.
Successful franchises balance young talent with high-end veterans. Lean too far in either direction, and you pay the price. Right now, Harris appears to be tipping too heavily toward youth. Unless he supplements his rising stars with top-tier free agents, the Tigers could remain stuck in neutral instead of taking the final step toward a championship.