The Tigers, despite a stellar record and a highly-regarded minor league system, are facing several difficult decisions the next two months.
Fortunately, they involve having so much depth it presents a dilemma.
The usual question of whether the Tigers will be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline is irrelevant. They undoubtedly should be looking to significantly add.
There are still nearly two months before the deadline, and much can change. Yet, with the bats beginning to cool after unexpectedly hot starts by several players, the Tigers need more hitting. They also need to augment their bullpen, which hasn’t been quite as deep as anticipated.
Third base and shortstop remain iffy, although it’s an interesting development Colt Keith played third this week. He had been excluded from the position because of a shoulder injury suffered three years ago in A-ball. Keith’s arm strength ranks in the bottom 15 percentile, according to the technological measures of Baseball Savant.
Depending on the status of ailing starting pitchers Reese Olson and Jackson Jobe, more starting pitching would help.
A beauty of the Tigers’ minor league system is they have numerous prospects that would genuinely interest other organizations but may be blocked one way or another from moving up the chain in Detroit. It should give them an edge if they are looking for a rental player of impact because they wouldn’t necessarily be sacrificing the future.
An example is Toronto shortstop Bo Bichette. He had a terrible season in 2024, but has regained some of his effectiveness this year, his last before free agency. Whether Bichette is available depends fully on if the Blue Jays, who have pulled above .500 after a slow start and are in the thick of the wild card race, are still there at the deadline.
This you can count on: the Tigers will not deal Max Clark, Kevin McGonigle or Bryce Rainer. Thayron Liranzo and Josue Briceño should not be as untouchable, even as potential stars.
Organizations will be interested in Erie second baseman Max Anderson, a second-round pick in 2023 who is having a breakout season, and pitchers Troy Melton and Jaden Hamm. All are advanced prospects in Double-A.
Also among the Tigers’ decisions is when to promote their current players. Clark, Briceño and McGonigle belong in Double-A. The issue is, Erie has one of the best teams in the minor leagues with a run differential of plus-144 and a 37-17 record.
The Tigers need a sense of urgency. Yes, they will likely be a contending team for several years. Yet, they cannot afford to waste the presence of Tarik Skubal. Time is running out as he approaches free agency following the 2026 season. With the Tigers in position to strike deep into the playoffs, trading Skubal is out of the question, even after the season.
The odds seem to be that he will leave as a free agent. That means the easiest decision for the Tigers is being in 'win now' mode.
They are no longer just building for the future.
It has arrived.