Detroit Tigers Eyeing 4 Pitchers in Free Agency

The Detroit Tigers have the best pitcher in baseball to head up their rotation, in two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. Jack Flaherty, in essence, should be a good No. 2 (if he's more like the 2024 version rather than 2025). Casey Mize and Reese Olson are solid mid-to-back end arms.

But the Tigers are still in need of more depth in the rotation, and they're looking for another reliable starter. As Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports, they're swimming in the 'mid-tier' market for the middle of their rotation.

Their No. 1 target is a veteran swingman who can start or relieve:

Nick Martinez

The 35-year-old has been solid since returning in 2022 from a four-year stint in Japan. Petzold calls Martinez "the most prominent swingman in baseball. He might be the best fit for the Tigers". It's ideal, because he could start the season in the rotation, then head to the 'pen to make room for either a developing Troy Melton, prospect Ty Madden or an expected late-season return of the injured Jackson Jobe.

Chris Bassitt

Bassitt is Mr. Reliable, with four straight years with over 30 starts, and a solid ERA each and every season. He, too, could transition into a bullpen role if absolutely necessary, as he showed in the postseason during the Toronto Blue Jays' run to the World Series.

Jose Quintana

Quintana, 37, is a bit older than both of the above names, but has also been solid consistently for the last four seasons, with solid ERAs always below 4.00 over that period.

Lucas Giolito

The youngest name on this target list at 31, Giolito came back in 2025 after missing the previous campaign following elbow surgery. And he performed surprisingly well for the Boston Red Sox in 26 starts, over 145 innings, posting a 10-4 mark with a 3.41 ERA.