Detroit Tigers strengthened their roster by acquiring two key players to close the gap with Cleveland.
Detroit Tigers Strengthen Roster to Close Gap on Cleveland
As Detroit sports fans shift their focus from football to baseball, the Tigers are gearing up for spring training in Lakeland, Florida. After finishing the 2024 season with an 86-76 record—6.5 games behind the division-leading Cleveland Guardians—Detroit has made key offseason moves to bolster its roster.
Payroll and Market Context
According to Sportrac, the Tigers’ current tax payroll stands at approximately $143 million, ranking 19th in Major League Baseball. This marks a significant increase from last year’s payroll of $104-114 million. In contrast, Cleveland’s payroll is listed at roughly $103 million, placing them 25th in the league.
Within the American League Central Division, most teams operate in small to mid-sized markets. The exception is the Chicago White Sox, who, despite being in a major market, have one of the league’s lowest payrolls at just under $68 million—ranking 29th, above only the Miami Marlins.
Key Additions to the Tigers’ Roster
To gain ground on the Guardians—who lost key players like Josh Naylor and Andres Gimenez—Detroit has brought in several new faces, including second baseman Gleyber Torres, starting pitchers Jack Flaherty and Alex Cobb, and reliever Tommy Kahnle. However, Cobb is currently dealing with a hip injury that will sideline him for about a month.
Gleyber Torres: A Notable Acquisition
One of the Tigers’ most impactful signings is Gleyber Torres, who joined the team on a one-year, $15 million contract in late December. The 28-year-old right-handed hitter provides additional power to a lineup filled with young left-handed talent.
Originally signed by the Chicago Cubs as an international free agent in 2013, Torres was traded to the Yankees in 2016 as part of the deal for Aroldis Chapman. A two-time All-Star (2018, 2019), Torres became a free agent following the 2024 season.
Last year, he posted a .257/.330/.378 slash line with 15 home runs, 63 RBIs, and 80 runs scored in 665 plate appearances. Over his seven-year career, he has accumulated 138 home runs and 441 RBIs, with an overall batting line of .265/.334/.441.
While Torres struggled defensively at second base last season, committing 18 errors, his offensive production could provide a significant boost to Detroit’s lineup. If he can consistently get on base, he’ll be a valuable asset to a team looking to compete for the division title.
