The Detroit Tigers have brought back a franchise legend to help them win the American League Central Division in 2026. 

Justin Verlander signed a one-year contract in February, returning to the city where he started his career in 2006.

Verlander has won three AL Cy Young awards, once with Detroit and twice with the Houston Astros. The Tigers traded him to Houston in 2017. He helped them win two World Series championships in 2017 and 2022.

The 43-year-old right-hander is not the ace he once was. In 2024, he posted a 5.48 earned run average in his final season with Houston. He regained some of his form in 2025, with a respectable 3.85 ERA in 29 starts for the San Francisco Giants.

Cody Stavenhagen covers the Tigers for The Athletic. He says Verlander has two jobs: stabilize the back end of the starting rotation and excite nostalgic fans.

“I’m sure you can expect a lot of packed crowds, a lot of Verlander jerseys in the stands, and a lot of good vibes,” he says. “People are certainly excited to have him back.”

The Tigers open with a pair of aces

Joining Verlander in the rotation is former Houston teammate Framber Valdez. The 32-year-old left-hander was one of the top pitchers on the free agent market in the offseason. Detroit signed him to a contract in February.

Stavenhagen says Valdez is one of the top lefties in the majors. He posted a 3.66 ERA in 2025, started 31 games, and struck out 187 batters. That was good for 3.6 wins above a replacement player.

“He has the best groundball rate in the game,” Stavenhagen says. “This guy is really good.”

Valdez’s signing surprised baseball insiders because of the price. His contract has an average annual value of $37 million.

That’s twice as much as the Tigers offered to their ace, Tarik Skubal. The two-time AL Cy Young Award winner is in the final year of his contract. His agent, Scott Boras, and Tigers executives were unable to work out a new deal in the offseason. The team offered him $19.5 million for 2026. An arbitrator awarded him $34 million.

Stavenhagen says this could be Skubal’s last season in Detroit. 

“He’s going to have a good shot to set a record contract for a starting pitcher,” Stavenhagen says. “I wouldn’t be shocked if he commands at least $400 million [in a multiyear deal].”

If the Tigers don’t sign Skubal, he can become a free agent after this season. If he signs with another team, Detroit would get nothing in return. They could also trade him in exchange for several younger players and minor league prospects.

Keep an eye on Kevin

One prospect who drew a lot attention in Spring Training is infielder Kevin McGonigle. The 21-year-old earned a spot on the Tigers’ Opening Day roster and can play several positions. 

McGonigle is the second highest-rated prospect in Major League Baseball. Stavenhagen says he’s one of the best hitting prosects the Tigers have had in a long time.

“He’s the real deal,” Stavenhagen says. “Really good bat-to-ball skills, really good plate approach. He walked more than he struck out.”

World Series or bust?

If McGonigle plays up to his potential as a rookie, he could help the Tigers avoid last year’s late-season collapse.

Detroit led the division by 10 games on Sept. 3 but lost 15 of their final 21 games. They finished one game behind the Cleveland Guardians. The Tigers beat Cleveland in the AL Wild Card round, then lost a heartbreaking 15-inning contest against the Seattle Mariners in the deciding game of the AL Championship Series.

Stavenhagen says that’s all behind them now.

“You didn’t hear a lot about that during Spring Training,” he says. “The hope is that they can be more like the team they were in the first half of last season.” 

Stavenhagen says if the pitching stays healthy, the Tigers can win the division—and maybe the AL pennant.

“It’s certainly the best all-around roster the Tigers have had in at least a decade,” he says.