4 Detroit Tigers starting pitchers to pursue in free agency

The Detroit Tigers heading into free agency looking to make some improvements and take this team to the next level after an impressive finish to the season.

As the Tigers approach 2025, the two main areas they look to improve on are adding another starting pitcher to help compliment Tarik Skubalas well as adding a bat for the middle of the order.

Since Detroit was able to exceed expectations in 2024, they won’t be flying under the radar this offseason. Skubal leads the rotation and Riley Green in the middle of the order, the Tigers will be contenders again in 2025.

However, some improvements need to be made to help take this team to the next level. With their ace needing starting pitching, here are four players Detroit should pursue in free agency.

One of the pitchers most likely to hit the free agent market after opting out of his $16 million player option would be Michael Wacha. Tigers know Wacha well Kansas City Royals and it could be a move that helps Detroit and weakens the team in their division.

The right-hander posted a 13-8 record, 3.35 ERA last season as he has really developed into a reliable player over the past few years.

It’s been a tough few seasons for Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed because he has come a long way since his second Tommy John surgery. He’s starting to look like his old self in the postseason, though, as he’s had two straight strong starts against New York Mets and New York Yankees.

Buehler’s value on the free agent market will certainly be interesting, as he could be one of the best pitchers in the game when healthy. He can sign a one-year deal in 2025 and then seek a bigger contract next offseason.

At the age of 32, Sean Manaea was able to have the best season of his career with the Mets as the southpaw changed his pitch slightly to a more lateral angle and it led to a lot of success.

Manaea will be one of the top pitchers this offseason. With a 3.47 ERA and some postseason experience as the ace of the Mets staff, the southpaw could be a solid second option behind Skubal in the rotation. Also, at his age, he shouldn’t cost the Tigers an exorbitant amount of money.

Perhaps the best potential move for the Tigers would be to reunite with Jack Flaherty. Detroit traded the right-hander at the deadline when they believed their playoff chances were over, and he continued to be a big part of the starting rotation for Los Angeles Dodgers during postseason work.

Since Flaherty already signed with the Tigers once as a free agent and performed well, a reunion makes a lot of sense for both sides. The veteran right-hander would give Detroit a very capable No. 2 behind Skubal.