It’s hot stove season, which means offseason rumors for the Detroit Tigers (and MLB’s 29 other teams, too) will only grow at this week’s MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida.
The biggest offseason story for the Tigers, and throughout baseball, is what president of baseball operations Scott Harris and his staff do with back-to-back American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.
The lefty ace is entering his final year under team control with the Tigers, with whom Skubal says he wants to be with “for a very long time.” The Tigers have exclusive negotiating rights with Skubal until the end of the 2026 season and could come to a long-term agreement, though it would likely require the biggest contract ever handed to a pitcher to get the deal done.
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The Tigers could also choose to keep Skubal through 2026 without an extension or move him before the July trade deadline, though Tigers owner Christopher Ilitch has the final call in his team’s ultimate decision.
The Tigers have already made one signing at the Winter Meetings, bringing back reliever Kyle Finnegan on a two-year contract.
Here are the up-to-date Tigers offseason rumors and moves around baseball that affect them, that we’re tracking from the MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando, Monday-Wednesday.
Ex-Tigers reliever Jason Foley lands with San Francisco Giants: Dec. 16
Right-hander Jason Foley will still be wearing orange in 2026 – but not for the Tigers. The 30-year-old signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday, Dec. 16, the team announced.
Foley was designated for assignment last month following season-ending shoulder surgery in May. Over four seasons (2021-24), Foley posted a 3.16 ERA with 35 saves, 150 strikeouts and 51 walks in 199â…” innings with the Tigers. That included a 2024 campaign in which he led the team with 28 saves.
Foley is expected to miss the beginning of the 2026 season while rehabbing, but should make his Giants debut midway through the year.
Tigers target Ha-Seong Kim opts for return to Braves: Dec. 15
After infielder Ha-Seong Kim declined his $16 million player option with the Atlanta Braves to return to the open market in the 2025-26 offseason, it was believed he could seek at least two years and $30 million, if not three years, $45 million.
Instead, the 30-year-old will take a big one-year payday, agreeing to a $20 million deal with the Braves, according to multiple reports.
For the second offseason in a row, the Tigers had been interested in Kim, who was coming off a .649 OPS last season as he recovered from shoulder surgery with the Braves and Tampa Bay Rays.
Ketel Marte doesn’t list Tigers on no-trade list: Dec. 15
Star Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte has been the subject of trade talks all offseason, with the USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale previously reporting that the Tigers had “checked in” on him. And while the Tigers currently have second base occupied with Gleyber Torres accepting his qualifying offer, the switch-hitting Marte could represent an offensive upgrade on the Tigers infield.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported on Monday, Dec. 15, that the Diamondbacks are still listening to offers for Marte, and that Marte has five teams on his no-trade list: the Athletics, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals. That leaves a trade possibility to Detroit open, even if there’s no word yet on how willing the Tigers would be to trade for him.
Kenley Jansen signs with Tigers in free agency: Dec. 13
The Tigers on Saturday agreed with the longtime closer on a contract in free agency. Jansen signed to a one-year contract for 2026 with a club option for 2027, the Free Press’ Evan Petzold reported. The Tigers had interest in Jansen last winter, too. He had 29 saves in 30 chances for the Los Angeles Angels in 2025, and the 38-year-old right-hander needs 24 saves to reach 500 saves in his 16-year MLB career.
Pete Alonso to Orioles in free agent signing: Dec. 10
Alonso, a first baseman, was the big right-handed bat on the open market, but he has reportedly found a home in Baltimore on a five-year deal worth $155 million, according to initial reports. The Tigers never made much sense as a landing spot for Alonso, despite their need for another right-handed bat. Alonso, 31, joins Edwin Diaz (Los Angeles Dodgers) in exiting the New York Mets in free agency during the Winter Meetings.
Tarik Skubal trade offer projections: Dec. 10
Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris didn’t shoot down the possibility of trading lefty ace Tarik Skubal when asked on Monday, Dec. 8, instead saying he “can’t do my job without listening.”
So our Tigers insider Evan Petzold put together five potential trade packages for Skubal from other MLB teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets and Boston Red Sox. Which is your favorite potential deal?
Kyle Finnegan signs two-year deal with Tigers: Dec. 9
The Tigers and relief pitcher Kyle Finnegan agreed to a two-year, $19 million deal on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
Finnegan came to the Tigers around the 2025 trade deadline and immediately became the team’s most valuable reliever, pitching to a 1.50 ERA over 18 regular-season innings and a 3.68 ERA over six playoff appearances.
After Detroit was eliminated in Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners, Finnegan expressed his interest in returning to the organization saying, “I loved every second of my time here … I can’t say enough good things about the Tigers.”
A deadline for talks with Tarik Skubal? Not according to agent: Dec. 9
Amid superagent Scott Boras’ efficient use of puns – “He’s truly a SABR-proof Tiger. If you want to look at the tale of the Tiger, without Skubs, they’re a Mystery Machine,” Boras told reporters Tuesday – there was this nugget: He and Tarik Skubal are willing to listen to offers from the Tigers.
The agent confirmed to reporters that there’s no self-imposed cutoff date for negotiations on a potential extension ahead of Tarik Skubal’s impending free agency after the 2026 season. “We’ve always been a listener,” Boras told Free Press Tigers insider Evan Petzold. “It’s always been our attitude. That’s up to Tarik as to how he wants to handle that. I have not discussed anything like that with him, but certainly at this point, my instructions are to listen to anything that they have to say.”
Edwin DÃaz signs with Dodgers: Dec. 9
Per Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Dodgers have signed free agent closer Edwin DÃaz. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the contract runs for three years and will pay DÃaz $69 million, well short of the $100 million he was reportedly looking for.
DÃaz was considered by many to be the top reliever on the free agent market, as he pitched to a 1.63 ERA over 66â…“ innings with the New York Mets in 2025, earning his third All-Star appearance. Detroit was not reportedly linked to DÃaz, but the Tigers are in the market for relievers, and his signing takes the biggest one off the board.
Ha-Seong Kim could be good fit for Tigers: Dec. 9
Our Tigers insider Evan Petzold reports that the Tigers are interested in free agent shortstop Ha-Seong Kim.
Kim split his time in 2025 between the Tampa Bay Rays (24 games) and the Atlanta Braves (24) as he recovered from offseason shoulder surgery, though he should be healthy for the 2026 season. Kim’s best season came in 2023 with the Padres when he slashed .260/.351/.398 while winning a gold glove at shortstop.
Kim would join an already-crowded infield in Detroit, but he could theoretically be an upgrade over Javier Báez at shortstop, with Báez still potentially able to provide utility value at second base or center field should Kim be added to the roster.
Kenley Jansen on Tigers’ radar: Dec. 9
The Tigers “checked in” on free agent reliever Kenley Jansen per Ari Alexander of Boston’s 7News.
The 16-year veteran is MLB’s active leader in career saves with 476 and had a resurgent year for the Los Angeles Angels in 2025, pitching to a 2.59 ERA over 59 relief innings and notching 29 saves.
Tigers not shooting down Tarik Skubal rumors; here’s why: Dec. 8
Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris had a very simple answer for folks wondering why the Tigers won’t just say “We’re not trading Tarik Skubal”: “I don’t believe in untouchables on any level, so like anyone in our organization,” Harris told our Tigers insider, Evan Petzold on Monday. “It’s not a commentary on Tarik specifically. It’s sort of a blanket team-building approach.”
Of course, that doesn’t mean the Tigers ARE trading their two-time Cy Young winning ace, either, just that Harris is “listening” if teams approach him with a deal.
Alex Bregman interest lukewarm: Dec. 8
Our Tigers insider Evan Petzold reported in a story published Monday the Tigers’ interest in Bregman “has been lukewarm so far,” but might heat up throughout the Winter Meetings.
According to Petzold, a Bregman deal became less likely when second baseman Gleyber Torres accepted a qualifying offer with the Tigers, filling up an infield position. The Tigers are more likely to prioritize bolstering their starting and relief pitching instead of going for a big-name position player.
CJ Abrams and MacKenzie Gore made available for trade: Dec. 8
The Washington Nationals have been shopping pitcher MacKenzie Gore and CJ Abrams, two of their young, cost-controlled stars, in trade discussions with other teams.
Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY reported the Nationals have been “receiving heavy interest” in the two players, though its unclear if the Tigers are among the teams showing interest in either player. Detroit would likely be more interested in Gore than Abrams with an already-crowded infield. Gore led Washington starters in ERA (4.17) and strikeout rate (10.4 per nine innings).
Ketel Marte on Tigers’ radar: Dec. 7
Nightengale reported the Tigers are one of many teams that have “checked in” on Arizona Diamondbacks star second baseman Ketel Marte. The 32-year old finished third in the National League MVP vote in 2024, but has also been the subject of much trade speculation this offseason.
Though the Tigers have second base filled with Torres and Colt Keith both on the roster, Marte could represent an upgrade over both while also providing some positional flexibility: He has made over 15% of his career starts at center field.
Brad Keller receiving interest as a starter: Dec. 5
With the Tigers potentially searching for a starter, Petzold reported a creative approach Detroit could take: signing free agent reliever Brad Keller and turning him into a starter.
Keller pitched 69â…” innings for the Chicago Cubs last season, all in relief. Keller has experience as a starter, however, starting 114 games in six seasons with the Kansas City Royals from 2018-23. Keller has been used exclusively as a reliever over his past two seasons with the Boston Red Sox (2024) and Cubs (2025), however.
Michael King and Pete Fairbanks could be Tigers pitching targets: Dec. 2
According to Petzold, the Tigers have shown interest in free agent pitchers Michael King and Pete Fairbanks.
King is arguably one of the most attractive free agent starters left on the market as he put up a 2.95 ERA over 173â…“ innings in 2024 for San Diego, though he was limited by injuries in his shoulder and knee in 2025.
Fairbanks has been effective over the past three seasons as the closer for the Tampa Bay Rays, recording 75 saves and a 2.98 ERA over 151 innings from 2023-25.
Kyle Finnegan and Tigers showing mutual interest: Nov. 29
The Tigers and reliever Kyle Finnegan are interested in a reunion in 2026, according to Petzold.
A midseason acquisition in 2025, Finnegan was by some metrics the team’s best reliever down the stretch. The 34-year old expressed his interest in returning to Detroit immediately after the Tigers’ season-ending Game 5 loss to the Seattle Mariners in the American League Division Series.
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers rumors tracker: Updates on Tarik Skubal trade, Alex Bregman
Reporting by Christian Romo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
