DETROIT >> If there was an overriding theme from the end-of-season press conference with Tigers president Scott Harris and manager AJ Hinch Monday, it was that of unfinished business — that the work, even after the first winning season in eight years and the first playoff season in 10, was just beginning.

“We did our best to give this city a team to be proud of,” Hinch said. “I don’t ever want to say we exceeded our expectations because our expectations are always going to be greater than anyone else’s, but we did our best. And as I told our players, we want this to be the floor.,

“We want his feeling to resonate throughout the offseason so we can come back even more determined. We do need to be proud of where we are and what we’re doing while continuing to push toward bigger and better things.”

The Tigers were the best team in baseball over the final 50 games of the season. They won their first playoff series since 2013. They brought playoff baseball back to Comerica Park for the first time since 2014. And they did that with the youngest roster in the league.

Harris acknowledged all of that and then, in the same breath, added, “This has to get a lot better. A bunch of these young players can get a lot better. They are just starting to get comfortable at this level.”

He referenced the growth of center fielder Parker Meadows, in particular, who was sent back to Triple-A in April, made significant adjustments and, by the end, was the team’s catalyst down the stretch and arguably their best player in the playoffs.

He referenced that players like shortstop Trey Sweeney, infielder Jace Jung, catcher Dillon Dingler and pitchers Jackson Jobe, Brant Hurter, Ty Madden and others barely were in the big leagues for a half-season.

“We have to stay focused on the things that got us here,” Harris said. “I don’t think there isn’t anyone in this building who doesn’t think that on an individual level and on a team level that this team can’t get a lot better.”

The Tigers finished the season with the No. 28 payroll (third-lowest) in the league (just under $112 million). Presently, their total allocations for 2025 are just under $42 million. Harris said that he does expect to add to the roster externally, either through free-agent signings or trades.

But the process of improving the roster is more nuanced than just going out and buying players.

“Regardless of what we do this winter, the majority of our growth has to come from within,” Harris said. “There are too many young players on this roster that can and must improve this offseason. The gains that they access this offseason with the help of this coaching staff; when we add all those things up when we get to Lakeland in February, they have to outweigh anything we do via external additions.

“Because there is just too much opportunity on our roster.”

The Tigers are going to give Jobe, Madden, Hurter, Bryan Sammons and Matt Manning, along with veterans Casey Mize and Kenta Maeda, every chance to come back strong next spring and compete with Tarik Skubal, Reese Olson and Keider Montero for spots in the rotation.

They are going to push Jung, Spencer Torkelson, Sweeney, Wenceel Perez and others to take their game up another level.

“We can’t ignore the growth that has to come from within,” Harris said. “That’s not to say there won’t be external additions. There will be external additions. I don’t know exactly what positions they’re going come from yet because it’s been 48 hours since we played.”

Harris said he thought the team had become too left-handed-heavy and will look to add another right-handed bat, either infield or outfield.

He also said he will continue to add to the pitching depth.

“I’m really proud of the versatility we built into this team,” he said.

“It gives us the opportunity this offseason to add in different places.”

Harris singled out Matt Vierling as a player who gives him flexibility with his offseason targets.

“He can play on the dirt (infield) and on the grass (outfield),” he said.

“If we find an addition on the grass that can help us, Matt can move to the dirt. If we find an addition on the dirt who can help us, Matt can move to the grass.

“It’s the reason we built this team this way.”

Harris, as he is every year at this press conference, was pressed on the payroll. How much is he willing to spend; how much is he able to spend on free agency?

“I understand that dollars spent is the most convenient measure of activity in a given offseason,” he said.

“It’s not really how we think about it.

“We don’t chase payroll thresholds. We chase talent.”

Harris said they will pursue all avenues, trades, free-agent signings and waiver-wire additions.

But for the first time since he took over the reins two years ago, he said he would consider spending prospect capital if it meant getting the player they wanted.