Tigers 2024-2025 Offseason: Trades, Free Agents, Call ups, Rule 5, tender, non-tender, Awards

[kalinecountry]

THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY

Spring training may be here but there are still free agents out there waiting to be signed. Some of them still without teams due to perceived talent, not finding the right fit or asking for t…

totallytigers.wordpress.com

THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY.
Totally Tigers

Spring training may be here but there are still free agents out there waiting to be signed. Some of them still without teams due to perceived talent, not finding the right fit or asking for too much money.
But for many of them, it’s about the length of the contract. Teams are much more willing to put a few extra dollars into each year’s salary but they are becoming increasingly concerned over the number of years that player will be on the roster.
It was the biggest speed bump when it came to Pete Alonso’s new contract. And it’s the primary reason why Alex Bregman remained unsigned until yesterday.
The Detroit Tigers certainly have had their share of contracts that became painful in the end even with first ballot Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera. And currently they are suffering from the Javy Baez contract that still has 3 long years to go. Ironically, that contract was created right after Jordan Zimmermann’s horrible contract ended.
Alex Bregman has stated that he does not want a short-term contract and insists on one of at least 6 years. No team yet, including the Tigers, has acquiesced to those demands because of his current age and the concern over when his contract would end.
Recently, we’ve seen the team lock down young prospects like Colt Keith to 6-9 year contracts. It’s an advantage in which the player would still be young at the conclusion unlike the free agent who is already older.
Which brings us to ask fans whether the Tigers should ever again offer a long-term contract (5 or more years) to a free agent?
Is it worth the risk? It is worth the reward? Are there better ways in which the organization can acquire some of the best talent without having to jeopardize their future?
What do you think?

Should the Tigers ever again offer a long-term contract (5+ yrs.) to a free agent?

1. Yes

2. Only one but it must be due to a unique situation.

3. No

VOTE

 

[tomdalton22]

Source confirms Alex Bregman to the Red Sox. Three years/$120 mil with two opt outs.​

Edit:

[Petzold] The #Tigers offered Alex Bregman a six-year contract worth just more than $170 million (with some deferred money), but Bregman picked the Red Sox on a three-year, $120 million contract with opt-outs after each season.​

Thank goodness he didn't sign that.

good! I'm glad he didn't sign with the Tigers for 6 years. I could have lived with the contract he signed with Boston...only 3 years.

 

[Mitchrapp]

good! I'm glad he didn't sign with the Tigers for 6 years. I could have lived with the contract he signed with Boston...only 3 years.

Detroit would have had to offer even more is my guess. 50 instead of 40 a year.

 

[tomdalton22]

Detroit would have had to offer even more is my guess. 50 instead of 40 a year.

probably correct! It is pretty clear that he didn't want to come here. I was listening to MLB radio on XM yesterday, and one of the guys made a great point regarding a shorter contract with opt outs. He said that if Bregman did sign one like that, it would most likely be with Boston and not Detroit. He said that Boston made the most sense because in that park, he would have the best chance to post great numbers

 

[gotime909]

probably correct! It is pretty clear that he didn't want to come here. I was listening to MLB radio on XM yesterday, and one of the guys made a great point regarding a shorter contract with opt outs. He said that if Bregman did sign one like that, it would most likely be with Boston and not Detroit. He said that Boston made the most sense because in that park, he would have the best chance to post great numbers

I dont buy that. Do you think teams don't see that kind of stuff when evaluating a free agent?

 

[kalinecountry]

Days of Roar Tigers Podcast: Alex Bregman signs with Red Sox. What now for Detroit Tigers?

The Boston Red Sox signed third baseman Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million contract with an opt-out clause after the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers offered six years, $171.5 million with an opt-out clause after the 2026 season. But Bregman turned down a long-term contract from the Tigers in favor of a short-term contract from the Red Sox, giving him $40 million per season and the option to return to the free-agent market as soon as the upcoming offseason. What's next for the Tigers at third base? Could a Nolan Arenado trade happen? Is Matt Vierling the everyday third baseman? What about prospect Jace Jung? This breaking news episode of the "Days of Roar" podcast examines every possibility for the Tigers with 2025 spring training underway.

 

[kalinecountry]

The Tigers offered Alex Bregman six years and about $171 million with an opt out after 2026, per source. The Tigers did not want to give Bregman an opt-out after the first season
It's one thing to try to negotiate the best new contract. It's another when you're the last major free agent and ST has already started. You are now being inconsiderate of all the teams/managers/players of the teams vying for your skills. Talking about you, Alex Bregman.
Harris and Hinch still don't know who will be their 3Ber. Jace Jung has no idea what his career now holds.. Matt Vierling doesn't know if he'll be playing 3B or OF. And the entire team is distracted as they wonder what will happen.

 

[kalinecountry]

The deferrals on the Alex Bregman deal are significant -- the present-day value of his contract is expected to be assessed in the range of $90 million for three years.
Alex Bregman had a variety of offers. The Red Sox's had the big number -- $40M a year before deferrals.
The Tigers' had years and dollars: six and $171.5M, also with deferrals.
The Cubs' at four for $120M had neither years, dollars nor AAV. Tough to win when you trail all three.

 

[kalinecountry]

The Detroit Tigers 3rd base solution in 2025 - Tigers Minor League Report

The Detroit Tigers missed out on Alex Bregman. With third base still a question mark, the team looks to internal options.

tigersmlreport.com

The Detroit Tigers 3rd base solution in 2025.
TMLR

 

[kalinecountry]

The Detroit Tigers today signed right-handed pitcher John Brebbia to a one-year contract for the 2025 season, with a club option for the 2026 campaign. Brebbia will earn a base salary of $2,250,000 during the 2025 season, and $4,000,000 if his club option is exercised for 2026. There is a $500,000 buy-out if the club option is not exercised. Below is a breakdown of performance bonuses and escalators in the contract.
Performance bonuses for both 2025 and 2026 seasons:- $250,000 for each 50, 55, 60, and 65 games pitched- $250,000 for each 40, 45, 50, and 55 games finished.
Escalators for 2026 club option (based off 2025 performance), capped at $4,000,000:- $500,000 for 65 games pitched- $1,000,000 for each 45 and 50 games pitched- $2,000,000 for 55 games finished.
Brebbia, 34, joins Detroit for his eighth Major League season after stops with the St. Louis Cardinals (2017-19), San Francisco Giants (2021-23), Chicago White Sox (2024), and Atlanta Braves (2024). Brebbia has gone 15-21 with four saves, 63 holds, a 3.80 ERA (355.0IP/150ER) and 388 strikeouts in 355.0 innings pitched, an average of 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings, in 354 career appearances, with all but 21 coming in relief.
The righthander spent most of 2024 with the White Sox before joining the Braves for their playoff push on August 31. Brebbia made five relief appearances for Atlanta in September, posting a 2.70 ERA (6.2IP/2ER) with nine strikeouts and just two walks.Brebbia broke into the big leagues with the Cardinals in 2017 and turned in a 3.14 ERA (175.0IP/61ER) covering 161 relief outings in three seasons with St. Louis through 2019. After missing the entire 2020 season and much of 2021 due to Tommy John surgery, Brebbia spent 2021-23 with San Francisco and led the National League with 76 relief appearances in 2022 when he went 6-2 with a 3.18 ERA (68.0IP/24ER), his lowest ERA since his first big league campaign with St. Louis (2.44 ERA, 50 relief outings).
Born in Boston, MA, Brebbia attended Elon University (NC) from where the Yankees drafted him in the 30th round of the 2011 MLB Draft.

 

[Mitchrapp]

I dont buy that. Do you think teams don't see that kind of stuff when evaluating a free agent?

Teams, as in organizations, can be clueless on things like this. Detroit is not a desirable city. If it came between us and say Cleveland then maybe you don't have to overpay and have a shot. But Detroit is losing FA to many teams just because they're other teams, and not Detroit.

 

[tomdalton22]

I dont buy that. Do you think teams don't see that kind of stuff when evaluating a free agent?

who knows what they think. The Tigers signed a 37 year old pitcher who wanted to retire, and gave him $15M

 

[kalinecountry]

Alex Bregman signs three-year $120 million deal with the Red Sox

The Tigers made a good offer, but Bregman clearly wasn’t too keen on signing here.

www.blessyouboys.com

Alex Bregman signs three-year $120 million deal with the Red Sox.
The Tigers made a good offer, but Bregman clearly wasn’t too keen on signing here.
BYBTB

Tigers, AJ Hinch lose top free agent target Alex Bregman to former staffer

Alex Bregman spurns the Tigers for the Red Sox after an exhausting, drawn-out free agency.

motorcitybengals.com

Tigers, AJ Hinch lose top free agent target Alex Bregman to former staffer.
MCBTB

Alex Bregman won't be joining Tigers; he agrees to deal with Red Sox

Bregman can opt out after the 2026 and 2027 seasons to become a free agent again.

www.detroitnews.com

Alex Bregman won't be joining Tigers; he agrees to deal with Red Sox.
Detnews

Detroit Tigers strike out as Alex Bregman signs with Boston Red Sox

Alex Bregman, who turns 31 in late March, hit .260 with 26 home runs, 44 walks and 86 strikeouts across 145 games for the Houston Astros in 2024.

www.freep.com

Detroit Tigers strike out as Alex Bregman signs with Boston Red Sox.
Freep

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2025/02/13/detroit-tigers-opening-day-roster-alex-bregman-signs-boston-red-sox/78497198007/

Detroit Tigers 2025 roster prediction 3.0: Searching for answers without Alex Bregman.
Freep

Tigers unfazed as Alex Bregman signs with Red Sox: ‘We move forward’

The Tigers made a competitive offer but now refocus on internal options for third base.

www.mlive.com

Tigers unfazed as Alex Bregman signs with Red Sox: ‘We move forward’.
Mlive

 

[kalinecountry]

Tigers' contract offer to Alex Bregman reveals failure in deferred money strategy

The Detroit Tigers' six-year, $171.5 million offer to Alex Bregman contained deferred money, but it didn't need to.

motorcitybengals.com

Tigers' contract offer to Alex Bregman reveals failure in deferred money strategy.
MCBTB

 

[kalinecountry]

Detroit Tigers sign free agent reliever John Brebbia

The veteran reliever adds depth to the Tigers’ bullpen, but he has a key flaw they’ll need to work around.

www.blessyouboys.com

Detroit Tigers sign free agent reliever John Brebbia.
The veteran reliever adds depth to the Tigers’ bullpen, but he has a key flaw they’ll need to work around.
BYBTB

 

[gotime909]

Teams, as in organizations, can be clueless on things like this. Detroit is not a desirable city. If it came between us and say Cleveland then maybe you don't have to overpay and have a shot. But Detroit is losing FA to many teams just because they're other teams, and not Detroit.

This is the first player I know of that turned them down and he did it because Boston offered more money. Again, who are these players that didn't want to come to detroit?

 

[Mitchrapp]

This is the first player I know of that turned them down and he did it because Boston offered more money. Again, who are these players that didn't want to come to detroit?

The players who aren't here. You think we know all offers to players in the past years? They probably make tons of offers we know nothing about.

 

[kalinecountry]

BYE, BYE BREGMAN

by Holly Horning Well, the drama is finally over. On the eve of having to report to spring training, Alex Bregman finally signed. He’s the Boston Red Sox’s problem now. It&#…

totallytigers.wordpress.com

BYE, BYE BREGMAN.
Totally Tigers

 

[gotime909]

The players who aren't here. You think we know all offers to players in the past years? They probably make tons of offers we know nothing about.

No, it's always known what teams are in on legit impact players. This is the first all star caliber player they've offered in forever. They've only been spending on 1 or 2 year prove it deals since harris took over.

 

[Mitchrapp]

No, it's always known what teams are in on legit impact players. This is the first all star caliber player they've offered in forever. They've only been spending on 1 or 2 year prove it deals since harris took over.

He's barely been here two years. This goes well beyond Harris. Though what about Sasaki? According to Tigers president Scott Harris, the team has submitted all the necessary materials and presentations to Joel Wolfe, the agent for Sasaki, and is now awaiting confirmation on whether they will be granted a post-holiday meeting to make their pitch.

Though they never got that meeting Harris said we were in on it. Also a guy like Arenado (a trade would need to happen) with his NTC has already stated he does not want to come to Detroit.

Detroit is just not a designation where bigger names come - hasn't been for a long time. To get them we need to trade for players, no NTC, or overpay or already have them here. Like a resign i.e. JV, Miggy (and most people hated his contract). Or those 1 year Max S. deals.