The Detroit Tigers sit at the top of the American League with a 60-42 record and a commanding nine-game lead over Cleveland in the AL Central. But they’re not sitting on their hands.
With the trade deadline approaching, Detroit’s in a completely different position than last year. In 2024, they were sellers who ended up making a second-half run to snag a Wild Card spot. Now they’re the ones looking to add pieces.
Third base remains their biggest need, and there’s a familiar name that could make sense.
Eugenio Suarez from Arizona has emerged as a potential target, according to Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report. It’s an intriguing fit – Suarez actually broke into the majors with Detroit back in 2014 before getting traded to Cincinnati.
“As the Tigers are still early in their contention cycle, there is the question of whether they should be prioritizing controllable players over rentals. But in a market like this, beggars can’t be choosers.”
The 34-year-old is having a monster year. He’s slashing .254/.325/.598 with 36 home runs, 86 RBI, and a .924 OPS that earned him his second All-Star selection. His 3.4 WAR shows he’s contributing well beyond just the power numbers.
What makes this interesting is Arizona’s position. The Diamondbacks are sitting below .500 and haven’t committed to buying or selling yet. That uncertainty could create an opportunity for Detroit to swoop in.
From where I’m sitting, Suarez gives the Tigers exactly what they need – a proven bat who can help them pull away from the rest of the AL. The power numbers speak for themselves, and he’s on pace for some really strong totals this season.
The question becomes whether Detroit wants to prioritize a rental like Suarez or focus on younger, more controllable options. But when you’re leading the AL and have a real chance at something special, sometimes you take the proven commodity.
We’ll see how aggressively the Tigers approach the third base market, but Suarez feels like the kind of move that could make the difference in October.
