Torres, Flaherty Explain Decision to Stay with Tigers

The Detroit Tigers kept two of their most important building blocks by mid-November. Gleyber Torres and Jack Flaherty both decided to stay in Detroit instead of heading to free agency.

This blog digs into why each player chose to re-sign or exercise their options. It also looks at what their 2025 seasons brought and how Detroit’s busy offseason moves might shape the club for 2026.

Gleyber Torres re-signs with the Tigers on a one-year qualifying offer: what it signals

Torres accepted Detroit’s one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer. He’d signed in 2024 for one year and $15 million, so this was a step up.

He and his Octagon reps did test the market, but the pull to stay in Detroit felt real—the home vibe and the front office’s focus on winning mattered. Torres said coming back was an easy call, mostly because he’s comfortable here and believes in the Tigers’ player development path.

In 2025, Torres dealt with a sports hernia during the second half. The club pointed to that injury when weighing the QO’s fairness.

His first-half numbers looked strong: .281/.387/.425 over the early stretch. But after a 628-PA season, he finished at .258/.358/.387 with 16 homers, which isn’t quite as shiny after the All-Star break.

He had surgery in late October. Detroit still thinks the full package—health, defense, and on-base skills—made the QO a smart bet for a possible longer deal next winter.

Torres’s leadership and versatility add a left-right balance to the lineup that Detroit wants to use this season. By bringing him back, the Tigers keep a steady middle-infield presence and a veteran bat to anchor the order while the younger guys keep coming up.

The QO decision and the 2025 performance

The QO wasn’t just about one year’s stats. Detroit’s thinking is more about sustained value and planning ahead.

Even with the injury, the team feels good about Torres bouncing back as he recovers from surgery. The front office trusts his approach, leadership, and knack for getting on base to show up again in 2026—if his health cooperates.

He’s accurate at the plate and draws walks, which helps set the tone for Detroit’s lineup. Since the Tigers lean left-handed, Torres’s right-handed bat brings some much-needed balance and stability, especially when the rotation and lineup could get top-heavy at times.

Jack Flaherty stays in Detroit: opting in on a $20 million option

Flaherty chose not to opt out and instead picked up his $20 million player option for 2026. He originally signed a two-year, $35 million deal with a $5 million signing bonus and a $10 million base in 2026, plus incentives.

He wanted continuity and a shot to win with a staff he credits for his growth. In 2025, his numbers dipped—a 4.64 ERA across 161 innings, with decent strikeouts but too many walks and more hard contact than you’d like.

Detroit’s logic is pretty straightforward: they want stability in a pitcher-friendly park, a trusted coaching staff, and a lineup that can play to Flaherty’s strengths. His presence brings depth and a veteran floor as the Tigers try new combinations in 2026.

2025 statistics and the rationale for continuity

The 4.64 ERA and 161 innings in 2025 only tell part of the story. Detroit sees Flaherty as more than his stat line.

He can miss bats and pitch to contact when needed, and he fits the Tigers’ culture and staff. Keeping Flaherty gives the rotation a backbone that can grow with the team’s younger arms.

Offseason moves and rotation plans: where Detroit stands now

Detroit brought in Kenley Jansen and Drew Anderson to strengthen the bullpen. They also kept veteran Kyle Finnegan around for some stability.

The team locked up two experienced starters, Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander. That combo gives the rotation a mix of reliability and, honestly, a bit of star power.

With most of the lineup unchanged and still leaning left-handed, Detroit will need Torres and Spencer Torkelson to step up for right-handed production. It’s a bit of a puzzle, but the rotation plan looks ambitious.

• Rotation alignment: Tarik Skubal leads the way, with Valdez and Verlander filling out the top three. Flaherty probably lands as the No. 5 behind the vets.
• Lineup balance: The order is heavy on lefties, so Torres and Torkelson really have to carry the right-handed power and get on base.
• Depth and versatility: Finnegan, Jansen, and Anderson give Detroit options in the bullpen. They can close games or handle those tricky middle innings, which takes some pressure off the starters.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Torres, Flaherty Discuss Decision To Remain With Tigers