Despite losing a big lead in the American League Central, the Detroit Tigers had a successful season. After Tarik Skubal was named AL CY Young for a second consecutive season, the Tigers’ championship window is now.
The second half of the 2025 season showed that Detroit had flaws, and now that MLB’s hot stove season is here, the Tigers’ front office can make the necessary additions/decisions to improve the team’s chances in 2026. The Tampa Bay Rays recently exercised the option on second baseman Brandon Lowe’s contract, which might make him a prime trade candidate.
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Why the Rays Could Move on From Brandon Lowe.
Mark Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that the Rays are exercising the $11.5 million club option on Brandon Lowe.
Lowe is entering the final year of his deal, but the option being exercised is no surprise if you take into account how valuable Brandon Lowe has been, but that doesn’t leave out a trade possibility.
MLBTradeRumors.com’s Steve Adams explained why Lowe may be a top trade candidate this offseason:
“The only real uncertainty surrounding Loweâs option was whether itâd be the Rays or another club picking it up. With just one more year of control on his deal and the Raysâ penchant for trading veteran players as the end of their control windows near, Lowe stands as an obvious trade candidate.”
That primes the Detroit Tigers as a possible destination. They have prospect capital and could offer cheaper options like Trey Sweeney and Wenceel Perez to the Rays for Lowe. Or, since the Rays may lose Pete Fairbanks as well, they could ask Detroit for a leverage reliever from the bullpen.
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GettyTigers manager AJ Hinch
Brandon Lowe is a two-time All-Star who hit 31 home runs this season and turned in a 116 OPS+ over 134 games. Lowe has yet to have a season in his eight-year career with an OPS+ below 100 (league-average). This would be a big splash for Detroit to make, as they are thought to need infield depth. Colt Keith and Zack McKinstry saw time at second for the Tigers this season. Both are solid hitters, but neither possesses the power Lowe does.
Detroit Tigers’ Offseason Outlook
Aside from an infielder, the Tigers are thought by many analysts and insiders to need another depth starter. Almost every team in MLB needs starting pitching, but Detroit is a serious AL Pennant contender if they make a splash signing or trade in free agency.
Detroit has a very solid overall roster; however, there will be other big spenders in the AL, like the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays, who will go for the big-name free agents.
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