Lost in the vibes of the Detroit Tigers signing Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander over the past week is the fact that Reese Olson will miss the entire 2026 season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum.
Over the last three years, Olson has flashed signs of being a staple in the Tigers' rotation, but injuries have capped his potential. The arrival of Valdez and Verlander should provide cover for the loss of Olson, but there's a larger point that remains.
As the Tigers look to maximize the perceived final year of Tarik Skubal in Detroit, there's been a sense that they should look to restock their farm system.