The Tigers’ solid offseason positions them as AL Central favorites after their surprising playoff run last season, but they missed a golden opportunity with Alex Bregman.
Detroit shocked baseball by claiming the third AL Wild Card spot in 2023, knocking out the Astros before pushing Cleveland to the limit in the ALDS. They’ve since bolstered their roster by adding Gleyber Torres, Tommy Kahnle, Jack Flaherty and Alex Cobb.
What’s missing? The big bat they were chasing.
The Tigers pursued Bregman until he ultimately signed with Boston on a three-year, $120 million deal. After missing out, Detroit’s front office didn’t pivot to another significant offensive addition.
Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly believes this will become Detroit’s biggest offseason regret.
“If this had been a six-year deal, it would have made sense to pass. But for three years—and perhaps only one if he opts out next offseason—Bregman made a ton of sense for the Tigers, because he would have added another big bat to their lineup and a veteran presence on a young team,” Kelly wrote.
The Tigers have built an impressive young core, but they’re clearly lacking that veteran power presence to balance their lineup. Bregman’s three-year commitment represented the perfect timeline for a team on the rise.
Detroit could’ve easily matched or slightly exceeded Boston’s offer. The way the market played out, they might have secured him without breaking the bank long-term.
There’s still time to address this need. A reunion with J.D. Martinez could provide the lineup boost they’re seeking, though there hasn’t been any momentum toward bringing the former Tiger back to Detroit.
The front office might be banking on internal improvement from their young players, but that’s a risky proposition for a team that’s suddenly in win-now mode. They’ll likely be shopping for offensive help at the trade deadline if their lineup struggles to produce consistently.
All things considered, passing on Bregman might prove costly for a Tigers team that’s otherwise positioned themselves to compete in a winnable AL Central.
