The Detroit Tigers are looking to strengthen their rotation ahead of the 2026 season. As of now, the club’s starting pitching is headlined by Tarik Skubal. The two-time reigning Cy Young award winner is widely regarded as one of the best pitchers in baseball. Skubal’s future in Detroit, however, is very much in the air, and he may not be on the roster in 2027.
Even with the superstar, the team’s starting rotation is below average overall. In fact, the Tigers finished 2025 with just 52 total quality starts on the season. This figure was ranked 19th among all Major League Baseball teams. Skubal was also responsible for nearly half (24) of these quality starts. The award winner was the only Detroit pitcher to post a WAR above 2.0 on the campaign as well.
Due to the clear positional need, the Tigers are interested in bringing in a new starter soon. The Athletic previously reported that Detroit is potentially eyeing Lucas Giolitto. The veteran posted a 2.1 WAR to go along with a 3.41 ERA with the Boston Red Sox in 2025. Nevertheless, Detroit Free Press reporter Evan Petzold is now claiming that Chris Bassitt, Nick Martinez, and Jose Quintana are also possibilities.
Bassitt would seemingly be the top player of the trio. After all, the pitcher posted a 2.1 WAR, 3.96 ERA, and 166 strikeouts in 171 innings with the Toronto Blue Jays last season. Bassitt also performed very well coming out of the bullpen for the reigning American League Champions throughout the recent postseason.
Nick Martinez Emerges as Potential Best Fit for Detroit Tigers
GettyNick Martinez is widely viewed as one of the better swingmen in baseball.
Petzold, however, believes that Martinez could ultimately be the best fit for the Tigers. The versatile pitcher was used by the Cincinnati Reds as both a starter and reliever in 2025. Although his combined numbers were not exactly off the charts, he performed much better out of the bullpen. In fact, his ERA was two points lower as a reliever on the season.
As Petzold points out, the Tigers could utilize Martinez in the rotation to start 2026 and then transition him to the pen later in the year. This tactic would give rising prospects Troy Melton and Ty Madden more time to develop before jumping into the rotation. It could also allow the injured Jackson Jobe time to recover from Tommy John surgery.
If Detroit misses out on Bassitt and Martinez, Quintana would then become a potential option. The former Met recorded a 1.3 WAR, 3.96 ERA, and 89 strikeouts in 131 innings during 2025. All of his appearances on the campaign came as a starter. The veteran previously made the All-Star team with the Chicago White Sox in 2016.
Starting Pitching is Currently Detroit’s Biggest Need
The Tigers currently have Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize, and Reese Olson locked into the rotation. Without a new addition, the club would likely pick between Melton and newly acquired right-hander Drew Anderson for the fifth spot. Nevertheless, Detroit is clearly trying to strengthen its pitching by adding more talent.
Bleacher Report also recently hinted that the Tigers have a glaring need for another pitcher. In fact, outside of the Skubal situation, the outlet claimed that bringing in a starter should be at the top of the team’s wishlist.
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