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DETROIT -- For the first time in 16 years, the Tigers do not have Miguel Cabrera on their payroll. If Eduardo Rodriguez opts out of his contract, Detroit could have Javier Báez as their only guaranteed long-term deal.

This is a byproduct of the club's rebuild around its farm system. And as the Tigers enter the Hot Stove season with their best payroll flexibility in years, president of baseball operations Scott Harris is staying true to building around their young core.

“When I think about what we’re trying to do here, we can spend to complement a core. We can’t spend to build a core; that’s not a viable strategy in this market,” Harris said at season’s end. “We are going to walk the line of being active in free agency and trades to find outside additions that can help us without blocking our young players.”

Here are five questions facing Detroit this offseason:

1. Will Tigers try to keep Rodriguez, or will they try to replace him?
Rodriguez has five days after the World Series ends to opt out of the three years and $49 million remaining on his contract. If and when he does, he’ll be a free agent. Harris said after season’s end that they’ve had no talks with Rodriguez or his agent and didn’t expect to before the opt-out decision.

If/when Rodriguez hits the market, the Tigers would essentially have to come up with a new deal for a pitcher who turns 31 next April. They haven’t signed a pitcher long term beyond his age-33 season since Jordan Zimmermann in 2016. Detroit’s only other recent pitcher in that category was Justin Verlander. Harris’ track record has trended toward bringing in pitchers with upside on short-term deals. With Detroit’s investment in pitching development starting to pay dividends, the Tigers could move on and endure the disappointment of losing Rodriguez for nothing after a Trade Deadline deal to the Dodgers fell through.

2. Can Tigers use their pitching depth to trade for offensive help?
If there’s any part of the organization the Tigers could leverage in a trade, this is it, especially with more young arms on the way. Still, there’s risk, especially if Rodriguez leaves. Tarik Skubal looks like an ace, winning AL Pitcher of the Month for September, and he has three seasons before free agency. He’s also the only established starter in Detroit’s rotation besides Rodriguez. Harris’ predecessor, Al Avila, gauged trade interest in Skubal in 2022 and found no big deal out there. Skubal has had a dominant stretch since then, but he also had flexor tendon surgery.

Alternatively, the Tigers could shop younger starters with more team control. Beyond Reese Olson and Sawyer Gipson-Long, they have ranked prospects Jackson Jobe, Ty Madden, Wilmer Flores, Brant Hurter and Keider Montero. All pitched effectively at Double-A or higher.

3. Where can Tigers upgrade offense without blocking young players?
Harris wants to keep opportunities open for youngsters. But with a bevy of outfielders -- soon to include Justyn-Henry Malloy -- Colt Keith on the way at second base and Jace Jung not far behind at third, that could require a balancing act. Third base could still be a stopgap option, as could catcher alongside Jake Rogers. There’s also another position that just opened up …

4. What happens at designated hitter?
The Tigers have essentially had a full-time DH since Victor Martinez arrived in 2011. With Cabrera retired, manager A.J. Hinch would like to keep DH open, giving him leeway to field a potent lineup and play matchups while still working to address defensive questions. Yet if the Tigers could add an impact hitter with defensive liabilities on a short-term deal, would Hinch and Harris pivot?

5. What about Austin Meadows and Spencer Turnbull?
Meadows’ decision to prioritize his mental health limited him to just six games this season; he has played just 42 games in two years as a Tiger. The 28-year-old outfielder has one more season of arbitration eligibility, but while everyone wants to see him healthy and back on the field, Meadows and the Tigers have to figure out if that can happen in Detroit.

Turnbull’s career is at a crossroads two years after his no-hitter. The 31-year-old made just seven big league starts upon return from Tommy John surgery, then missed much of the summer with a neck issue and a cracked toenail before struggling at Triple-A Toledo. He has two seasons before free agency, and Harris said Detroit expects Turnbull to compete for a rotation spot next spring. But it was an awkward situation at season’s end that will have to be smoothed over.