The season ended with the 88–74 Tigers finishing runner-up in the American League Central, eight games in back of the Cleveland Indians.
After a trip to the 2006 World Series that ended with a defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals, the Tigers started the offseason by trading pitchers Humberto Sánchez, Kevin Whelan, and Anthony Claggett to the New York Yankees for outfielder and designated hitter Gary Sheffield.
Plus, they re-signed players from the previous season's team; first baseman Sean Casey, second baseman Omar Infante, outfielder Craig Monroe, left-handed starting pitcher Nate Robertson, and right-handed relief pitcher Fernando Rodney all returned with the Tigers for the 2007 season.
As of July 18, the Tigers had sold 2,712,393 tickets at Comerica Park for the 2007 season, setting a new single-season home attendance record for the team.
In 1961, the AL MVP award was given to New York Yankee slugger Roger Maris who hit 61 home runs.
On October 9, 2007, the Tigers announced that they were picking up the $13 million, fifth-year option on Iván Rodríguez's contract, keeping him on the roster through at least the 2008 season.
The same day, the Tigers received outfielder Jacque Jones in a trade with the Chicago Cubs for utility man Omar Infante.
The same day, the Tigers swapped pitchers with the Colorado Rockies, acquiring Denny Bautista for prospect José Capellán.
The Tigers lost minor-league pitchers Randor Bierd, Corey Hamman and Jose Fragoso.
The following day, the Tigers avoided arbitration with outfielder Marcus Thames, signing him to a one-year, $1,275,000 contract.
On the 18th, the team was able to avoid arbitration with all of their eligible players by signing Miguel Cabrera to a one-year, $11.3 million contract.
On February 4, center fielder Curtis Granderson signed a 5-year, $30.25 million contract extension, keeping the speedy lead-off man on the roster through at least 2012.