The Detroit Tigers have secured their starting catcher Jake Rogers for the 2025 season with a $2.64 million contract, a notable increase from his $1.7 million salary for 2024. Rogers, who was drafted by the Houston Astros and later traded to the Tigers in the Justin Verlander deal, is in his second full major league season. He faces one more year of arbitration eligibility before becoming a free agent in 2027.

Despite being nominated for a Gold Glove due to his exceptional defensive skills, Rogers struggled offensively in 2024, hitting just .197 with a .607 OPS, a significant drop from his previous season's performance. He managed only 10 home runs compared to 21 in 2023. With limited competition behind the plate, Rogers has a crucial opportunity to enhance his offensive output while maintaining his defensive prowess this upcoming season.

The Detroit Tigers have signed right-handed reliever Ryan Miller to a minor league contract, which includes a non-roster invitation to MLB spring training. The 26-year-old will start the season with Triple-A Toledo and could earn $800,000 if he makes it to the majors.

Miller made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels in August 2024, posting a 4.15 ERA in 13 relief appearances. He was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2018 and has had a journey through various leagues before joining the Tigers.

The Detroit Tigers have bolstered their catching depth by signing veteran catcher Brian Serven to a Minor League contract, which includes an invitation to Spring Training.

Serven, who was drafted by the Colorado Rockies, has had a tumultuous career with various teams. After struggling in 2023, he played 28 games for the Toronto Blue Jays, showing slight improvement. With limited competition at the major league level, Serven has a chance to compete for a backup role with the Tigers.

The MLB offseason is slow to start, with minimal excitement from recent signings by the Angels and Rockies. Yusei Kikuchi's move to the Angels raises concerns about his situation, despite his past success with the Blue Jays and Astros in controlling the running game.

Teams like the Kansas City Royals excelled at preventing stolen bases, while the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers struggled. Interestingly, the correlation between stolen base prevention and team ERA is weak, suggesting that Kikuchi's new environment may not be as detrimental as initially thought.

The Houston Astros made a pivotal move in their successful era by acquiring Justin Verlander from the Detroit Tigers in 2017, leading to their first World Series title. This deal has been a cornerstone of their dynasty, with Verlander contributing significantly to their success.

As Verlander nears the end of his career, speculation about a potential return to Detroit has emerged, fueled by his brother's comments. Both the Astros and Tigers could benefit from his experience, but Detroit's need is more pressing.