The Detroit Tigers enter the 2026-27 offseason with a starting rotation that offers more questions than clear answers, even after a season that saw them fall short of expectations.
Beyond Framber Valdez, the group leans heavily on pitchers who have struggled to stay healthy or who still need to prove they can handle a full major-league workload at a high level.
With financial flexibility available after moving on from some high-profile names, the front office appears positioned to make a significant addition rather than relying solely on internal options or a long free-agent negotiation.
Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report identified Texas Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom as the most logical target for Detroit in that search.
Miller argued that the Tigers have room in the budget for a big splash and could prefer acquiring one expensive year of a two-time Cy Young winner over attempting to re-sign their own former two-time Cy Young winner to what would almost certainly be a massive long-term deal.
He pointed to deGrom’s 3.44 ERA since joining the Rangers in 2023 as evidence that the veteran remains a stabilizing force despite the wear that comes with age and previous injury issues.
deGrom is still under the five-year, $185 million contract he signed with Texas ahead of the 2023 season.
That deal calls for him to earn $37 million in 2027, its final guaranteed year, with a $20 million club option available for 2028.
Trading for him would therefore give Detroit an immediate, high-upside arm for one season without the multi-year commitment that often accompanies top free-agent starters.
At the same time, the Rangers would shed a substantial salary in the final year of a contract that has not always delivered the volume of innings originally envisioned.
Whether Texas would actually move deGrom depends on how aggressively the club chooses to retool after another season that fell short of its championship window.
deGrom’s presence on a full no-trade clause adds another layer of complexity, as he would need to approve any destination.
For Detroit, the appeal lies in the chance to insert a proven ace into a rotation that currently lacks one, buying time for younger arms to develop while avoiding the risk of another historic free-agent contract.
If the two sides can align on value and deGrom is willing to waive his trade protection, the deal would represent one of the more straightforward ways for the Tigers to upgrade their staff heading into 2027.
