Cost to bring back same Tigers rotation could exceed $100 million for next season

The Detroit Tigers have built their roster with a win-at-all-costs attitude the last few seasons.

After their fourth-straight playoff appearance without a World Series title, that approach is about to be put to the test, particularly in regards to their starting rotation.

Tigers general manager Dave Dombroski and the club's front office face difficult contract decisions this winter, notably the status of pending unrestricted free agent starter Max Scherzer.

Scherzer is set to hit the open market after rejecting a six-year, $144-million extension prior to spring training, while fellow starting pitchers David Price and Rick Porcello are both arbitration-eligible this offseason.

As noted by MLive.com's Chris Iott, the cost to bring back the same starting rotation in 2015 would likely require a commitment of more than $100 million for Detroit's five starters alone.

Given the free agent status of key position players such as Victor Martinez and Torii Hunter - and with $38 million already due to Miguel Cabrera and Ian Kinsler next year - it seems unlikely the Tigers would shell out the dollars needed to bring back the same starting pitching staff.

Pivoting off Iott and MLB Trade Rumors' projections, here's a look at how expensive this year's Tigers rotation could be in 2015:

Only Verlander and Sanchez are under contract next season, with a combined salary of $44.8 million. Using the projections above, low-end estimates put the cost to bring back the same five at $98.8 million.

Considering Scherzer already turned down a contract worth $24 million per season, and Price and Porcello (who's coming off a career year) are both in line for raises, the Tigers' 2014 pitching staff as we know it may have priced itself out of Detroit.