DETROIT TIGERS: MO MONEY, MO PROBLEMS

The Detroit Tigers dropped a BAG in the offseason, leading to sky-high expectations in 2026 that ultimately were never met. I thought this team could win the American League, hands up. Little did I know it would be one of the most disappointing seasons of my lifetime…

CUT THE CHECK

Detroit Tigers spent this offseason. As many of you don’t want to admit, they SPENT. They just failed miserably with who they purchased. Through every single avenue you go down, they failed every time. Kenley Jansen, Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez, Kyle Finnegan.

Valdez: $20,000,000 signing bonus and making $38 million a year. But as much as I loved this signing when we made it, holy disaster. Highest ERA at 4.35, WHIP at 1.399, and lowest strikeouts per 9 at 7.2 in his last 6 seasons. Dropping the bag is great, but you have to make the right signings.

JUSTIN VERLANDER

VERRIFICT was the poster for Verlander I had hanging in my basement when I was growing up. The guy was an absolute legend at every turn. I don’t need to tell you about the MVP, multiple Cy Young winner, and Hall of Famer. Last season, he excelled in the back half with the Giants, going 75.1 innings with a 2.99 ERA. Now, I didn’t think he was going to be that. Could he be something of a sub-4.00 ERA while pitching every 5th day for you? Yes, I thought so. And instead, sadly, the legend that comes back doesn’t have the fairy-tale ending. With his one start on the season and injuries at every turn, the 12.27 ERA and -0.2 WAR hurt more than just the numbers. And you’re eating a one-year, $13,000,000 deal.

BULLPEN WOES

Kenley Jansen enters the game in the bottom of the 9th. And that’s a deep fly ball to left field. 1 year, $9,000,000 down the drain. Another legend of the game, future Hall of Famer, not able to be relied upon. At every single key moment, he has blown it. You needed the Kenley Jansen of 10 years ago… you got the chips you left on the counter overnight with the bag open.

STALE.

If he was legitimately an asset, this team would be in the playoffs, but doing what he’s done at every turn has led to a team that’s under .500 and 6 GB in its own division.

Kyle Finnegan has regressed, and sadly, is age a factor?? He was dominant for the Detroit Tigers in 2025 prior to his injury. The splitter isn’t working like it used to, there’s no command of his fastball, and $9,500,000 later, he gives up a home run. It feels like it happens in every pressure situation.

Scott Harris failed the team with these 4 moves. If he gets them right, the Tigers win the AL and battle the Dodgers in the World Series with Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize repping the Old English D. But because he failed, you are a team looking into the 2027 draft.

This bullpen blowing so many saves cost them the 2026 season and a chance to truly be great, to compete for a World Series. If they can spend right around Kevin McGonigle, Max Clark, Troy Melton, and Jackson Jobe, we can start to see the makings of a B.I.G. contender.

The Author

Nicholas Kohloff
Detroit Tigers Beat Reporter | Woodward Sports

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