A revamped rotation puts a massive target on the Tigers' backs

For a large part of the offseason, fans were not sure if the Detroit Tigers would keep Tarik Skubal or trade him away before he is set to become a free agent after the 2026 season ends. 

Luckily for fans, they have kept their ace and even bolstered the depth behind him. Detroit shocked many when they came to terms with Framber Valdez on a three-year, $115 million contract, but that was not all. 

The front office also brought back Justin Verlander. The two sides agreed on a one-year, $13 million deal, which excited the fanbase for him to return after starting his career out in Detroit.

MORE: Tigers' Tarik Skubal gets bold prediction that would make for ultimate contract year

A revamped rotation puts a massive target on the Tigers' backs

Detroit comes into the 2026 season with quite a scary rotation. Teams will have to be prepared to face Skubal, Valdez, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize, and Verlander. 

That is quite the stretch of starters to try and get past, and if Flaherty can turn it around this season, there could be a case made about this being one of the best rotations in all of baseball. 

Factor in Detroit coming to terms with Kensley Jansen, and it's not just the starting rotation teams have to worry about. 

Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly has a lot of faith that Detroit can improve from its 87-win season from last year, even if it has some trouble in the division. 

"Somehow, the Cleveland Guardians will probably end up pushing them. But with a strong offseason in terms of adding pitching, the Tigers should improve on their 87-85 record from a season ago."

If they can do this, it would be hard to deny them a postseason spot, and with the depth they have in the rotation, this could be a tough team to take down in October.

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