The Detroit Tigers 2025 season is over, but the team’s offseason moves can begin very soon.
After suffering the biggest MLB division collapse of all time and then bowing out in a gut-wrenching ALDS loss against the Seattle Mariners, the Tigers have a few roster issues to settle before aiming to contend in 2026.
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The biggest question surrounding the Tigers likely involves ace pitcher Tarik Skubal, who is entering his final year of team control before entering free agency.
The Tigers have exclusive negotiating rights with Skubal over the next year and have the ability to keep him in Detroit with a long-term contract, one that could eclipse $400 million and make him the highest-paid pitcher ever.
Tigers owner Christopher Illitch avoided answering the contract question when asked during the Tigers playoff run. President of baseball operations Scott Harris said Monday, Oct. 13, at his end-of-season news conference he had “no concerns about” Ilitch’s willingness to hike the payroll to retain Skubal.
Here are the key offseason dates and questions Tigers fans should know as the MLB postseason advances to the end, from MLB free agents to spring training to 2026 Opening Day.
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When does MLB free agency start?
Free agency begins for MLB players the day after the last World Series game. Game 4 of the 2025 World Series is scheduled for Oct. 28 and Game 7 is scheduled for Nov. 1, which means free agency will begin at some point between Oct. 29 and Nov. 2.
ANALYSIS: Top 2026 MLB free agents the Tigers could target in offseason
Which Tigers are 2026 free agents?
The biggest potential free agents for the Tigers are second baseman Gleyber Torres and starting pitcher Jack Flaherty, though Flaherty could exercise a $20 million option for 2026 that would bring him back.
Every Tigers player set to become a free agent this year.
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SP Jack Flaherty (player option).
RP Paul Sewald (mutual option).
When does Tarik Skubal become a free agent?
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) celebrates with teammates after 6-3 win over Cleveland Guardians in Game 3 of AL wild-card series at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025.
The Tigers have Skubal under team control until the end of the 2026 season, which means he can be on the roster for at least one more year.
But that doesn’t guarantee the Tigers will keep him.
The Tigers essentially have three options with Skubal ahead of the 2026 season.
The Tigers and Skubal could agree on a record-breaking long-term extension (unlikely).
The Tigers and Skubal could agree on a one-year deal for his final year of arbitration (projected at $17.8 million by MLB trade rumors) and try to negotiate a longer deal after the 2026 season when he is set to become a free agent.
They could trade Skubal, either before or during the 2026 season, presumably for a big haul of prospects and/or MLB-ready players.
POLL: Should Tigers trade Tarik Skubal this offseason? You decide
Which 2026 free agents could Tigers go after?
The Tigers have a lot of positions on their roster set even with the potential departure of Torres, but that doesn’t mean they can’t bolster their roster with a few free-agent signings.
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Here are some of the top potential free agents available in the 2025-26 MLB offseason.
RF Kyle Tucker, 29 years old.
3B Alex Bregman, 32 (via opt-out).
1B Pete Alonso, 31 (via opt-out).
OF Cody Bellinger, 30 (via opt-out).
ANALYSIS: Tarik Skubal, Kevin McGonigle and the Tigers’ biggest offseason questions
MLB calendar of key offseason dates
Nov. 21: Non-tender deadline.
Dec. 8-11: Winter meetings.
Dec. 9: MLB draft lottery.
Dec. 10: MLB Rule 5 Draft.
What is MLB non-tender deadline?
This is the last day MLB teams can offer contracts to players under team control, or players with less than six years of major league service time. A player under team control who is not offered a contract is considered “non-tendered” and enters free agency.
What is the MLB Rule 5 Draft?
The Rule 5 Draft is a draft of players not on an MLB 40-man roster, allowing teams to select minor league players from other organizations and place them on their 26-man roster in exchange for a $100,000 payment to the player’s original team. Teams can choose not to draft any player.
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The Tigers did not make a Rule 5 selection in 2024, but did lose catcher Liam Hicks to the Miami Marlins and infielder Gage Workman to the Chicago Cubs, though Workman is now back in the Tigers’ organization.
When do pitchers and catchers report in 2026?
The Tigers have not announced their 2026 spring training schedule, though pitchers and catchers are expected to report Feb. 11 to TigerTown in Lakeland, Florida.
When is Tigers’ 2026 Opening Day?
The Tigers will play the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego on Thursday, March 26, for their first game of the season. The Tigers’ home opener in Detroit will be Friday, April 3, against the St. Louis Cardinals.
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Here’s the Tigers’ entire 2026 schedule.
You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers offseason dates for 2026 MLB free agency, spring training