Tigers given 'A' grade for huge Tarik Skubal, pitching staff decisions

The Detroit Tigers entered the 2026 MLB offseason with the potential to have one of the worst in all of Major League Baseball.

But, ESPN's David Schoenfield gave the Tigers an "A" grade, the best in MLB, tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox.

The reason? Not only were the additions of Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez huge, but the decision the Tigers made to keep Tarik Skubal this offseason helped make this winter a great one for the Tigers.

Tigers given 'A' grade for pitcher-heavy offseason

"The Tigers salvaged the offseason with the late signings of Valdez and Verlander," Schoenfield writes, "but their most important move was the one they didn't make: trading Tarik Skubal."

By keeping Skubal and then turning around to sign Valdez and Verlander, the Tigers have formed what could be the best starting rotation in all of Major League Baseball.

Skubal, Valdez, Verlander, Casey Mize, and Jack Flaherty make up the new starting five. Only the Red Sox and Dodgers can even remotely compare.

In regard to one-two punches atop a rotation, it's hard to find one better than Skubal into Valdez. And if Verlander can have a vintage season, then the Tigers would be very clear AL Central favorites and serious World Series contenders.

More: Tigers' contract details for Framber Valdez make for absurd record-breaking deal

But it's not just the rotation that improved. Kyle Finnegan is back, and Kenley Jansen is also joining the bullpen in Detroit. Combined with the departure of struggling veteran Tommy Kahnle and Gleyber Torres coming back, the Tigers are set up nicely for 2026.

What makes things even better is that the Tigers have Kevin McGonigle and Max Anderson as top prospects who can make the MLB lineup early in the season.

The Tigers are a lot better now than they were at the start of this winter. They're also spending $62 million more in 2026 than in 2025. Compared to the scenario where Skubal is traded away, this all-in approach is a fantastic outcome for the offseason for the Tigers.

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