The ball is in your court, Scott Harris.
There’s a reason Alex Bregman hasn’t signed yet. It’s not because he’s washed up—he’s still a high-level hitter and an elite defensive third baseman. It’s not because of a lack of interest—the Tigers, Cubs, and Red Sox are all hovering. And it’s certainly not because he doesn’t want to win. If anything, the delay in his free agency suggests he’s holding out for a franchise that really wants him.
So, Detroit: Are you that franchise?
Let’s be honest. The Tigers have done a masterful job rebuilding. Scott Harris took over a mess and reshaped the organization from the inside out. A.J. Hinch has this young core believing they can win, and they proved it by shocking the Astros in the playoffs last year. The pitching development has been a revelation. The culture is changing. But at some point, a team that wants to win has to prove it. Signing Alex Bregman is that moment.
Bregman Needs a Franchise That Will Go All In: Bregman isn’t just looking for a paycheck. If money were the only factor, he would have already taken Houston’s reported six-year, $156 million offer. But that deal came with an expiration date: The Astros were only willing to go so far. That’s what makes the Tigers so intriguing. Detroit has financial flexibility, a massive need at third base, and a championship window opening right now. If Bregman joins this team, the Tigers instantly become AL Central favorites. And yet, he’s unsigned. Why? Because he’s watching. He’s watching to see if Detroit is really serious about winning or if they’re just happy to be competitive again. He’s watching to see if they’re willing to commit fully to this window or if they will play it safe. In other words, he’s waiting for Detroit to prove they’re worth the risk.
The Tigers’ Front Office Has a Decision to Make: If you’re Scott Harris, you’ve already done the hard part. You’ve rebuilt the farm system. You’ve made shrewd signings—Jack Flaherty, Alex Cobb, Gleyber Torres, Tommy Kahnle—all great additions that make the team better without breaking the bank. But those are safe moves. Bregman isn’t a safe move. Bregman is a championship move. A seven-year, $200 million deal? That’s a bet on yourself.
–A deal like that says, We aren’t just trying to compete for a Wild Card spot—we’re coming for the AL pennant!
–A deal like that says we believe in our young core enough to surround them with a veteran leader who knows how to win.
–A deal like that says that Bregman might not be a superstar at 37, but we’re willing to pay for his next five prime years to make a run while we have Skubal, Greene, Torkelson, and Carpenter on the rise.
And honestly, that’s what a championship team does.
If Not Now, When?: Detroit’s last big free-agent signing was Javier Báez. It was a disaster. Everyone knows it. But that can’t be an excuse to be afraid of spending again. There’s a difference between spending recklessly and spending to win. This team is in a position to win. So what’s it going to be? Will the Tigers be the team that says, We’re close, but let’s wait another year? Or will they be the team that says, “We’re close, so let’s finish the job!”
Bregman is waiting. Detroit fans are waiting. And whether this deal happens or not, we’ll know exactly what kind of franchise the Tigers want to be. The ball’s in your court, Scott Harris. It’s time to prove this rebuild was for something bigger.
