The Detroit Tigers are positioning themselves as serious contenders heading into the 2025-2026 offseason, but they’re not just focused on adding talent from outside the organization.
While everyone expects them to chase free agents and explore trades, the Tigers are also eyeing extensions for their own rising stars. Tarik Skubal gets most of the attention in these conversations, but there’s another player who makes perfect sense for a long-term deal.
Joel Rueter of Bleacher Report identified Riley Greene as one of 10 players most likely to receive contract extensions this offseason. The 24-year-old outfielder is having a career year, and the timing couldn’t be better for Detroit to lock him up.
Strike Now or Pay Later
Greene won’t hit free agency until after the 2028 season, which gives the Tigers a window to negotiate without competing against 29 other teams. That’s where smart front offices make their move.
The math is simple. Sign him now at a reasonable number, or watch his price tag skyrocket once he hits the open market.
“They won’t all sign long-term deals,” Rueter writes, “but it would be a mild surprise if at least one or two of these guys are not locked up this winter.”
Teams across baseball are extending young stars earlier than they used to. Look at Skubal – he’s going to be the most coveted free agent after 2026, which makes a pre-free agency extension unlikely given what he’ll command on the open market.
Greene’s Breakout Season
But Greene? That’s a different story entirely.
He’ll turn 25 at the start of the 2026 season, right in his prime years. This season has been his best yet across the board:
- 32 home runs (career high)
- 136 hits (career high)
- 101 RBIs (career high)
- .840 OPS (career high)
- One double shy of his career-high 28
Sure, he leads the AL with 169 strikeouts, but that comes with the territory for power hitters in today’s game. The production more than makes up for it.
What makes this different is Detroit’s farm system depth. They’ve got promising prospects working their way up, which means they can afford to spend on Greene while filling other positions with cheaper, younger talent.
Window of Opportunity
The Tigers find themselves in a sweet spot. Greene’s having his best offensive season, but he’s still three years away from free agency. If they wait much longer, his price will only go up.
From where I’m sitting, this looks like a no-brainer. Greene’s a core player who fits their timeline perfectly. He’s productive, he’s young, and he’s not going anywhere if they handle this right.
The way I see it, the Tigers have learned from watching other teams let homegrown talent walk. They made the playoffs this year with Greene as a key contributor, and they’re not looking to rebuild that chemistry from scratch.
All things considered, locking up Greene should be Detroit’s top priority this winter. The longer they wait, the more expensive he becomes.
