The Detroit Tigers need to find a reliable home run source this offseason.

The Detroit Tigers are coming off a season in which power hitting was a glaring weakness: They finished below the league average in home runs, with only one player, outfielder Riley Green, hitting more than 20 homers. To be successful in 2025, the Tigers need a consistent power hitter who can anchor the lineup, drive more runs and create a more fearsome presence at the plate. With the opportunity to add a reliable slugger through free agency, the Tigers should prioritize filling that void and taking the pressure off Green as the team’s only significant source of strength.

The corner infield spots appear to be the best place to add some punch to the lineup next season, as both will combine for just 26 homers in 2024. top Jace Young, the club’s current leader, first base is a position the team could upgrade to this winter.

The initial need for an upgrade stemmed from the struggles of former No. 1 overall pick Spencer Torkelson. After hitting just .219 with ten homers in 381 at-bats this season, the 25-year-old was demoted to Triple-A Toledo in early June after posting a .201/.266/.330 line with just four homers on the season. the first two months. Although he performed slightly better after his return to the majors in mid-August, batting .240 with six homers in the final 45 games of the season, having a more reliable option ahead of Torkelson would allow the team to build on this season’s surprise postseason run.

While top free agent first baseman Pete Alonso is likely out of the team’s price range, one intriguing option is first baseman Christian Walker. The former Arizona Diamondback is a two-time Gold Glove winner who hit 62 homers over the past two seasons and was a key factor in Arizona’s surprise run to the World Series in 2023. Walker is already 34 years old and isn’t expected to sign for more than three years or so. , giving the Tigers the ability to mix and match first base and designated hitter while maintaining available playing time in the future.

Another short-term option is one of the three Carlos Santana, Paul Goldschmidt or Justin Turner. While they are all unarguably in the worst position of their careers, they all have reputations as good players and have the veteran experience needed to mentor one of MLB’s youngest groups of players throughout last season.

If the Tigers were looking to make a splash, signing outfielder Anthony Santander would instantly add a potent power threat to their lineup. The former Baltimore Orioles slugger hit 44 homers in a season at age 29 while possessing defensive versatility to see time in both the outfield and first base.

Adding a power forward to this lineup isn’t just about numbers—it’s about changing the dynamic of an offense that often lacks the ability to keep up with high-scoring games and providing veteran mentorship to a young roster. An experienced free agency slugger like Walker, Santander or Santana would provide a balanced solution to the Tigers’ offensive needs and help build a competitive roster for the 2025 season.