More than playoffs are at stake for a swatch of Tigers farm teams as regular seasons close across Detroit’s minor-league terrain.
Jobs are on the line.
Roster spots are crowded. And the Tigers have some uncomfortable days ahead.
A fair number of players who can get squeezed from the Tigers’ 40-man list heading into 2026 can become big-league free agents. A potentially inviting group will be eligible for Rule 5 poaching, which can happen when players with heavy minor-league experience aren’t yet seated among a club’s top 40.