The Tigers missed the postseason for the seventh straight year in 2021, but there were signs of improvement. Detroit finished 17th in ERA (4.32). Their bullpen had 42 wins, 28 losses, and 42 saves while posting a 4.50 ERA (22nd). Offensively, the Tigers remain a bottom-tier team in runs (697 – 22nd) and home runs (179 – 24th). However, they did become more aggressive on the base paths (88 steals – 9th).
Sensing a chance to compete in the AL Central, Detroit signed SP Eduardo Rodriguez and SS Javier Baez. They decided to move on from SP Matthew Boyd, SP Jose Urena, 2B Niko Goodrum, and SP Julio Teheran.