Diana: What a season it was. Seventy-six wins, second in the AL Central, and a roster that feels like it’s waking up from a long nap just as the sun comes up on free agency. If you think the hot stove is about to explode, you haven’t been listening to this network lately.
Adam: It’s definitely heating up. We’ve got Tarik Skubal hitting the market, Jackson Jobe stepping into that ace role without him, and a bullpen that needs serious reshaping. The Tigers are at a crossroads.
Diana: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Diana, and joining me is Adam. Today is a mailbag episode, which means you guys are driving the bus. We’re answering your questions about the Skubal fallout, the infield hierarchy, and whether this team can actually compete next year.
Adam: That’s right. We’ve got three segments planned. First, we tackle the biggest question: what does the rotation look like when Skubal is gone? Then, we dive into the depth chart battles at third base and shortstop. Finally, we do a lightning round of hypotheticals and quick takes before we wrap up.
Diana: We’ve been talking about Jackson Jobe solidifying his role alongside Jack Flaherty for the last few days, but today we’re letting you ask the hard questions. Let’s get into it. Segment One: The Skubal Void.
Diana: First question comes from Marcus in Cleveland. He asks: 'With Tarik Skubal leaving in free agency, who is actually taking over as the number one starter? Is Jackson Jobe ready?' This is the elephant in the room.
Adam: Marcus brings up the key point. Look at the roster. You’ve got Jackson Jobe listed as a SP. We’ve seen his rise. He’s young, he’s got stuff, and frankly, after talking about him for the last three episodes, I feel confident saying he’s the primary ace now. But 'primary' doesn't mean 'unquestioned.'
Diana: Right. And then there’s Jack Flaherty. We mentioned him yesterday as the other half of that duo. So it’s Jobe and Flaherty?
Adam: Exactly. That’s the backbone. But look at the rest of the paper. You’ve got Jake Miller, Keider Montero, River Ryan, Andrew Sears, Troy Melton, and even Framber Valdez and Jackson Wolf on the list. It’s deep, but it’s unproven outside of Jobe.
Diana: Framber Valdez? On the Tigers? That’s a huge name drop for a mid-tier starter role. Does that change how you view the innings distribution?
Adam: It changes everything. Valdez is a veteran arm. If he’s here, he’s eating innings. You don’t start him every five days if you have Jobe and Flaherty. He’s your reliable fourth starter or fifth, someone who can go six strong and let the bullpen breathe. That’s crucial with the current bullpen setup.
Diana: Okay, so Jobe and Flaherty are the top two. Valdez is the stabilizer. Next question from @TigerState98: 'The bullpen is scary. With Skubal gone, who closes games? Kyle Finnegan or Drew Anderson?'
Adam: This is where the 76-86 record hurts. You don’t know yet. Finnegan has the experience, but Anderson has been pitching well. We have Beau Brieske, Sawyer Gipson-Long, Brenan Hanifee, Tyler Holton, Brant Hurter, Ty Madden, and Drew Sommers too. It’s a committee until proven otherwise.
Diana: A committee. That sounds like a recipe for inconsistency. Are you worried about the late-inning leverage spots?
Adam: I am. You need a closer who can handle pressure. Finnegan is the incumbent, but if he struggles, Anderson is there. Or maybe they bring in someone new in free agency. But right now, based on this roster, it’s a gamble.
Diana: Gamble. That’s the word of the day. Let’s move to Segment Two: Roster Battles. Sarah from Rochester asks: 'Jace Jung vs. Colt Keith at third base. Who wins the job? And what happens to Spencer Torkelson at first?'
Adam: Sarah, we talked about this yesterday. Jace Jung won the job. He’s the everyday guy. Colt Keith is the backup/utility option. Jung has the plate discipline, the OBP skills. Keith is more of a power hitter but less consistent at the dish.
Diana: So Jung is locked in. What about Torkelson? He’s still at first base?
Adam: He is. Unless they trade him, Torkelson is the starting first baseman. He’s got the power. But does he fit the lineup construction? If you’re going for contact and speed, maybe not. But right now, he’s the guy.
Diana: Okay, so Jung at third, Torkelson at first. Next question from @MotorCityMike: 'Shortstop. Javier Baez vs. Tsung-Che Cheng. Who starts?'
Adam: This is interesting. Baez is the big name, but Cheng is the younger, more athletic option. Baez has the experience, but his defense is... let’s say, unpredictable. Cheng might be the better defensive fit long-term.
Diana: But Baez is the star. Do you bench the star for the rookie?
Adam: Not necessarily. You play Baez, but you keep Cheng ready. Kevin McGonigle and John Peck are also on the roster. It’s a logjam. But if I had to pick a starter, I’d lean toward Baez for the bat, but expect Cheng to see significant time.
Diana: A logjam. That’s what we’re seeing everywhere. Depth is good, but competition is fierce. Let’s head to Segment Three: Hypotheticals and Lightning Round.
Diana: First hypothetical from @BaseballNerd42: 'If the Tigers could sign ONE free agent this winter, who is it? A starter? A closer? An outfielder?'
Adam: Starter. Without a doubt. You have Jobe and Flaherty, but you need a true number two. Someone like a Chris Sale type, or even a Gerrit Cole if you can afford him. You need to protect Jobe’s workload.
Diana: Agreed. A number two helps everyone else. What about the outfield? Riley Greene is there, Max Clark is coming up. Is there a need there?
Adam: Greene is your left fielder. Max Clark is center. You have Brett Callahan and Corey Julks in the mix. Ben Malgeri and Zach McKinstry are options too. Outfield isn’t the biggest hole. It’s the pitching.
Diana: Okay, so pitching is the priority. Next question from Lisa in Ann Arbor: 'Robot umpires are flipping 54% of challenged calls. How does that affect our hitters like Dillon Dingler or Eduardo Valencia?'
Adam: It forces better plate discipline. Dingler is a catcher, so he knows the strike zone. Valencia is a DH. They can’t cheat the zone anymore. If they swing at bad pitches, they strike out. It rewards patience. It rewards OBP.
Diana: So patience pays off. What about the catchers? Dillon Dingler and Thayron Liranzo. Who gets the nod behind the plate?
Adam: Dingler is the everyday guy. Liranzo is the backup. Dingler has the offensive upside. You want your catcher to contribute at the plate.
Diana: Dingler it is. Let’s do a lightning round. Quick answers only. Question one: 'Can the Tigers make the playoffs in 2027?'
Adam: Yes. If they address the rotation and keep Jobe healthy, they’re in the hunt. We projected 78-84, but that’s a floor. Ceiling is higher.
Diana: Question two: 'Who is the most underrated player on the roster?'
Adam: Spencer Torkelson. Everyone talks about Jung and Jobe, but Tink’s power is real. He just needs to stay consistent.
Diana: Question three: 'Best case scenario for the bullpen?'
Adam: Finnegan locks down the save, Anderson handles the seventh, and the rest of the arms hold the line. It’s possible.
Diana: Alright, we’re winding down. Before we go, I want to take a second to talk to you. We put out a fresh show every single day, digging through rosters, analyzing stats, and bringing you the latest news. It takes a lot of work, and it costs money.
Adam: We love doing this. But to keep it free and daily, we rely on supporters like you. If you enjoy the analysis, please consider chipping in. It helps us keep the lights on and the mic running.
Diana: You can find the link in the episode description. Every bit helps. Now, let’s recap. We talked about Jobe as the ace, Valdez as the stabilizer, Jung at third, and the need for a number two starter.
Adam: The Tigers are building. It’s not done yet, but the foundation is there. Jobe, Jung, Torkelson, and a revamped bullpen. It’s exciting.
Diana: Thanks for listening. Subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts. Share this with a fellow Tiger fan. Go Tigers!