DETROIT -- Relievers are often the last dominoes to fall in free agency, and this winter is no exception.
Several notable arms remain unsigned with about a month left until the start of spring training.
The Detroit Tigers, while not in desperate need of bullpen help, could still dip into the market for a one-year deal to fortify their relief corps.
As it stands, the Tigers' bullpen has a solid foundation. Left-hander Tyler Holton and right-handers Will Vest, Beau Brieske, and Jason Foley have relatively safe spots heading into 2025.
Beyond that quartet, the Tigers have flexibility thanks to their starting rotation depth. At least one, and possibly two or three, starters could transition to the bullpen. Potential candidates include Kenta Maeda, Casey Mize, Keider Montero, Brant Hurter, Matt Manning, and Ty Madden.
That would leave one to three spots to fill. Right-hander Brenan Hanifee and left-hander Sean Guenther, who got key outs down the stretch and in the playoffs last season, are strong internal candidates. But both have options available and could be nudged to Triple-A Toledo to provide depth if the Tigers acquire another reliever or two.
The reliever market
Right-hander Tanner Scott is the headliner of the relief class and remains unsigned. But he's certain to require a rich contract and a multiyear commitment, so it would be a surprise if the Tigers pursued him.
Much more likely are the ample candidates on a one-year deal.
Ageless wonders Kenley Jansen, David Robertson and Kirby Yates would all make sense.
Jansen, 37, has been a full-time closer pretty much without interruption for 13 consecutive seasons. That's not easy to do. He's saved 447 games with a 2.57 ERA over his career, primarily for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He spent the last two seasons with the Boston Red Sox.
Robertson, who turns 40 in April, has bounced between closer and setup roles in his remarkably long career that has spanned 16 seasons and eight teams. Not only is he not showing age-related decline, he's coming off one of the better seasons of his career. He struck out 99 in 72 innings with a 3.00 ERA for the Texas Rangers in 2024.
Yates, who turns 38 in March, also spent last season with the Rangers, serving as the primary closer. He posted a 1.17 ERA in 61 2/3 innings, striking out 85 and walking 28.
How much would it cost to grab one of those arms for one year? Probably about $8-12 million, well within the Tigers' budget.
Among the other notable arms on the market is yet another ex-Ranger.
Jose LeClerc, 31, had the best strikeout-to-walk ratio of his career in 2024. He struck out 89 and walked 32 in 66 2/3 innings while posting a 4.32 ERA. He might be slightly cheaper annually than the trio of veteran closers, but he's probably also looking for a second year on his contract.
A.J. Minter, 31, leads the crop. He's quietly put together a phenomenal five-year stretch with the Atlanta Braves, posting a 2.85 ERA over 243 innings. But he battled injuries in 2024, which could make some teams cautious.
Other lefties worth checking out include Danny Coulombe, Tim Hill, Brooks Raley and Andrew Chafin.
Would the Tigers bring back Chafin, 34, for a third stint with the Tigers? He's likely to be considerably cheaper after a bumpy finish last year with the Rangers.