Gleyber Torres to Return to Detroit Tigers for 2026 Season

The Detroit Tigers just locked in a big piece for 2026. Second baseman Gleyber Torres accepted the team’s $22.025 million qualifying offer.

Torres is coming off an All-Star year. His return brings some much-needed stability at second base and sets up an interesting offseason ahead.

He battled injury late in the season, but his on-base skills and offensive spark helped drive the Tigers’ playoff run. The team will be watching his health closely as spring training approaches.

With Torres back, Detroit can finally shift its focus to the infield hole at third base. There are bigger roster decisions looming, too.

Gleyber Torres: Cornerstone of Detroit’s 2026 Roster

Torres decided to stick around, keeping one of the American League’s top second basemen in a Tigers uniform. At 29, he played 145 games in 2025 and started every postseason matchup—pretty impressive durability, honestly.

He posted a .358 on-base percentage, which ranked fourth in the AL and led all second basemen. Tigers president Scott Harris praised Torres for his knack at getting the offense going, especially early in the year.

Production, Injury, and Recovery

September was rough for Torres—he hit only .209 during that stretch. Turns out, he was dealing with a sports hernia that needed offseason surgery.

So, those late-season numbers? They don’t really tell the whole story. The club expects Torres to be healthy for spring training, and there’s hope that renewed stamina will boost both his defense and offense.

The Ripple Effect on the Infield

With second base settled, Detroit’s biggest question is what to do at third. Filling that spot is going to matter for lineup balance and depth.

Internal Options to Watch

Detroit has a handful of in-house candidates for third base:

• Colt Keith – Young, promising, and showing some pop at the plate.
• Zach McKinstry – Versatile, can play all over, and brings a lefty bat.
• Andy Ibanez – Steady glove, makes contact, and helps round out the bottom of the lineup.
• Matt Vierling – Athletic, fast, and can play lots of spots.

But the real wildcard? Kevin McGonigle. He just took home Arizona Fall League MVP honors, and his breakout fall adds some real drama to the spring roster battle.

Potential Additions and Roster Decisions

Even with all that internal competition, Detroit’s not ruling out outside help. Free agent Alex Bregman keeps popping up in rumors—a right-handed bat with playoff experience could make a big difference for this young team.

Arbitration Call Looms

There’s also the matter of 12 arbitration-eligible players, with decisions due Friday. Some bigger names up for discussion:

• Zach McKinstry – His future might hinge on how the third base battle shakes out.
• Spencer Torkelson – Big-power first baseman, still trying to put it all together.
• Tarik Skubal – Lefty starter, looks like he could anchor the rotation.

These contract calls will shape Detroit’s payroll and how they keep their core together heading into 2026.

Outlook for the Tigers

Torres’ signing gives Detroit a boost on the field and in the clubhouse. When he’s healthy, Torres brings steady at-bats and sharp plate discipline.

He also offers reliable defense, which isn’t easy to find these days. With one big position set, the Tigers can finally approach the rest of their offseason with a little more focus.

Third base is still the wild card. That’s the spot that could take Detroit from playoff hopefuls to real World Series threats.

Will they pick a rising prospect? Maybe an established veteran, or even go bold with a big-name free agent? We’ll see soon enough how they choose to finish out the infield and shape their 2026 squad.

For Tigers fans, Torres’ return feels like more than a roster tweak. It’s a clear signal—Detroit plans to keep its core together and push further next October.

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