MLB Rumors: 3 Detroit Tigers Who Won't Be Back in 2026

The Detroit Tigers came agonizingly close to reaching the American League Championship Series. A heartbreaking 15-inning loss in the instant classic Game 5 of the ALDS with the Seattle Mariners means that the Tigers' remarkable rollercoaster season has finally come screeching to a halt. 

The team's offense, despite the lack of any true superstars, had a fine regular season, finishing 12th in the majors in team OPS and 10th in home runs.

But the pitching, aside from Cy Young lock Tarik Skubal, let the Tigers down on a few fronts. Both in the rotation and the bullpen, changes will be made, and these three Tigers head the list of those who won't be back in 2026:

Jack Flaherty, SP

It was a frustrating season for Flaherty, who wasn't able to replicate his success of the previous year. The veteran hurler was a huge piece of the Tigers' rotation in 2024 after a surprise 'prove it' signing of a one-year deal. He posted a 13-7 record last year (split between the Tigers and the LA Dodgers, whom they traded him to at the deadline) with a 3.17 ERA and 10.8 K/9. 

All he was able to land last winter, however, was a two-year, $35 million deal with an option, back with the Tigers. Now, with a $20 million option on 2026, it's up in the air whether Flaherty will decline it to enter free agency, or just play it safe this time around and take the $20M in hand. He didn't have a great ride in the Motor City in 2025, losing the most games of any pitcher in the American League, with 15, while posting a 4.64 ERA. 

Either way, the Tigers could look to move on from Flaherty. 

Paul Sewald, RP

It was a flyer, at best, when the Tigers took a chance on acquiring the former closer at the trade deadline, even though he had missed most of the season with a shoulder injury. He pitched only four mediocre innings for Detroit upon his return in September, and wasn't on the playoff roster. With a mutual $10M option for next season, there's no chance the Tigers pick it up, and they'll let Sewald walk in free agency.

Chris Paddack, SP

The Tigers acquired Paddack from the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline, hoping he'd provide a potential depth piece for the back end of the rotation. It was a gamble that did not pay off. The 29-year-old posted a 6.32 ERA in 47 innings for Detroit across 12 appearances (seven starts). He surrendered a brutal 2.7 homers per nine innings and struck out a career low 5.6 per nine innings. As a free agent, it's highly unlikely that the Tigers saw anything that would encourage them to re-sign Paddack. 

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