DETROIT – With five players added to the 40-man roster and six relievers designated for assignment, plus Jack Flaherty opting in for 2026 and Gleyber Torres accepting the qualifying offer, we now have a much clearer picture of the Detroit Tigers’ projected payroll as we head into hot stove time.
According to MLB’s Jason Beck, Tigers general manager Jeff Greenberg told reporters that Detroit plans to prioritize pitching this offseason -- both in the starting rotation and in the bullpen.
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Earlier this offseason, Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris also addressed owner Chris Ilitch’s stance on payroll.
“I know that Chris is going to support us with everything we need, both in terms of player payroll but also non-player payroll,” Harris said.
“All of the infrastructure investments. All of the investments in key staff members that can help us bring a World Series here. So I have no concerns.”
With that in mind, let’s take a look at where the payroll stands as the hot stove begins to heat up.
Detroit Tigers’ guaranteed salaries
- Javier Báez - $24,000,000
- Gleyber Torres - $22,025,000
- Jack Flaherty - $10,000,000
- Colt Keith - $4,330,000
Total guaranteed salaries: $60,355,000
Detroit Tigers’ arbitration eligible players
*All arbitration estimates are courtesy of SpotRac*
- Tarik Skubal ~ $22,500,000
- Casey Mize ~ $5,500,000
- Spencer Torkelson ~ $4,500,000
- Riley Greene ~ $4,300,000
- Zach McKinstry ~ $4,000,000
- Kerry Carpenter ~ $3,500,000
- Jake Rogers ~ $3,250,000
- Matt Vierling ~ $3,005,000
- Will Vest ~ $3,000,000
- Tyler Holton ~ $1,750,000
- Andy Ibáñez ~ $1,500,000
- Beau Brieske ~ $1,250,000
Total arbitration salary estimates: ~$58,055,000
League minimum salaries
Outside of the four guaranteed salaries and the 12 players who are arbitration eligible, that leaves 10 players on the 26-man roster who will receive at least the league minimum salary of $780,000.
Total league minimum salaries: ~$7,800,000
Projected payroll going into free agency
Combining the guaranteed salaries, arbitration salary estimates, and league minimum salaries gives the Tigers a total payroll of ~$126,210,000, pending any free agency or trade acquisitions to be made this offseason.