Welcome to a series of articles that will look at the various free agents who will be hitting the market once the World Series is over. We will take a look if the player the Tigers may target would be an ideal fit and why and why not.  Last time, we focused on right-hander Devin Williams. Today, we look at lefty Caleb Ferguson. 

LHP Caleb Ferguson

This isn't the big name that Tigers fans may think of when it comes to relievers to sign, but with the mix of lefties that the Tigers threw out there in 2025, perhaps stability isn't a negative trait to look at. While Tyler Horton was probably the most consistent one of the bunch, the rest of the time, it was like the feature movie of the week on network TV.

Drew Sommers made the jump from the minors but wasn't ever consistently around, and Brant Hurter battled through a back injury.  Ferguson has quietly built a reputation as a reliable, matchup-neutral arm capable of handling late-inning work when healthy. 

Why He’s a Fit

Ferguson’s 2025 campaign showed a return to form built on command and pitch diversity. He deployed a four-pitch mix — four-seam, cutter, sinker, and slurve — that allowed him to neutralize hitters on both sides of the plate. Against left-handers, he leaned on his sinker (23%) and slider (46%) to generate weak contact, while using the four-seam (39%) and slurve (33%) more heavily versus right-handers. 

The result was improved control and steadier outcomes. His 1.16 WHIP was his best since 2020, and he held opponents to an expected batting average under .240. For Detroit, that combination of stability, handedness flexibility, and ground-ball control could provide needed relief depth. 

Ferguson also brings postseason experience and familiarity with high-leverage innings — qualities the Tigers’ younger bullpen arms could benefit from. His ability to handle 65+ innings across 70 appearances suggests he could slot into multi-inning relief or setup duty under A.J. Hinch.

Why He’s Not a Fit

Despite the strong year, Ferguson’s strikeout rate remains modest for a late-inning reliever, hovering around 22–23%, and his walk rate still approaches double digits. While his ERA and WHIP improved, his expected metrics (around 3.32 xERA) indicate he benefitted from solid defense behind him.

Additionally, Ferguson doesn’t possess the overpowering fastball or swing-and-miss secondary pitch that the Tigers' bullpen currently lacks. Detroit ranked near the bottom of the league in strikeouts per nine innings, and adding another contact-oriented arm may not solve that underlying issue.

From a roster-construction standpoint, Scott Harris and the Tigers’ front office have avoided multi-year deals for non-closing relievers. If Ferguson’s market rises into the $6–7 million range annually, Detroit might pivot toward younger, controllable lefties from within their system instead.

Verdict

Ferguson’s profile is one of durability, command, and dependability,  not dominance. But those traits matter for a bullpen that has struggled to stay healthy or consistent across a 162-game season.

If the Tigers focus on building bullpen stability around cost-effective veterans, Caleb Ferguson makes plenty of sense. He won’t headline the offseason, but he’d quietly make the group better,  and that’s the kind of incremental progress Detroit’s front office values.