The Detroit Tigers’ 2025 season is over, which means it’s time to start talking about their offseason preparations and 2025-26 MLB free agency.
The Tigers saw their season end in heartbreak Friday, Oct. 10, losing the longest winner-take-all MLB playoff game in history, 3-2, in 15 innings to the Seattle Mariners.
By a few measures, the Tigers have one of the most enviable payroll situations in baseball heading into the 2026 season, with very few long-term contracts on their books and a young core of talented players under team control.
This core includes All-Stars Tarik Skubal, Riley Greene, Zach McKinstry and Casey Mize, who are all in their arbitration years with team-friendly contracts through at least 2026, as well as infielder Colt Keith — signed on a relatively cheap deal through at least 2029 — plus perhaps the Tigers’ most feared hitter, Kerry Carpenter.
It’s a roster that, with some bolstering, should compete for a third straight playoff appearance in 2026. But it remains to be seen what Scott Harris, the Tigers’ president of baseball operations, has planned for the winter.
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Let’s take a look at the contract situations of each Tigers player on the major league roster, listed by the year they hit free agency through 2031.
Find MLB’s upcoming free-agent class.
Tigers free agents in 2025-26
The Tigers have a host of veterans and relievers who are free agents this winter and available to negotiate with any MLB team.
The biggest free agent this offseason is Gleyber Torres, who was an AL All-Star starter in 2025 with the Tigers and bet on himself playing on a one-year deal in 2025. Starting pitcher Jack Flaherty has a player option for $20 million. He made $25 million in 2025, but pitched to a medicore 4.64 ERA over 31 starts in the regular season.
Skubal is again arbitration eligible this winter. MLB trade rumors on Monday, Oct. 6, estimated a salary of $17.8 million for him in 2026, up significantly from the $10.15 million he earned in 2025.
Tigers free agents in 2026-27
The Tigers have three key players who after the 2025 season are set to enter their third and final year of arbitration. They become free agents after the 2026 season.
The biggest storyline here: Will the Tigers offer fair market value to Skubal once he hits free agency after the 2026 season? They have previously been rebuffed on their uncompetitive extension offer by Skubal’s agent, Scott Boras.
Tigers free agents in 2027-28
Outside of Báez, the Tigers have three regulars set to enter their second year of arbitration ahead of the 2026. All become free agents after the 2027 season.
Tigers free agents in 2028-29
The Tigers have a lot of young players, including three key sluggers, under team control for the next three years (2026-28).
Tigers free agents in 2029-30
The Tigers have four players entering their last pre-arbitration year in 2026. They are slated to become free agents after the 2029 season.
Additionally, the six-year, $28.6 million contract Keith signed ahead of the 2024 season has a club option that runs from 2030-32. If the Tigers don’t pick it up, Keith could become a free agent after the 2029 season.
Tigers free agents in 2030-31
The Tigers have 12 players entering their second year of team control in 2026. They are eilgible to become free agents after the 2030 season.
And finally, there are two more contributors on the roster whose service time begins in the 2026 season: pitchers Troy Melton and Drew Sommers, who become free agents after the 2031 season.
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers roster status, free agents entering 2025-26 offseason
Reporting by Christian Romo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
