The Detroit Tigers need offensive help despite sitting atop the American League standings. Third base remains their most glaring weakness, and there’s one player who makes perfect sense as a deadline target.
Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report identified Eugenio Suarez as an ideal fit for Detroit. “They’re a perfect candidate to get in on Eugenio Suarez if the Arizona Diamondbacks pull the plug,” Rymer wrote.
That’s the key phrase here – if Arizona pulls the plug.
The Diamondbacks lost Corbin Burnes for the season, but they’re still hanging around the Wild Card race. If they stay within striking distance come deadline time, Arizona won’t be moving their veteran pieces. For Detroit, that would mean watching their ideal target stay put in the desert.
Tigers fans might find themselves rooting against the D-backs over the next few weeks. Arizona’s struggles could be Detroit’s gain.
What makes Suarez such an appealing fit? The power stroke that’s defined his 12-year career. He’s sitting on 297 career home runs and showing no signs of slowing down.
Through 258 at-bats this season, Suarez has mashed 21 homers – already tied for the eighth-most he’s hit in any full season. And he’s only played 71 games. Do the math on that pace and you’re looking at monster production.
The slash line tells the whole story: .233/.307/.527 for an .834 OPS. He’s not getting on base at an elite clip, but when Suarez connects, the ball travels. That .527 slugging percentage speaks to legitimate middle-of-the-order thunder.
If he could bump that on-base percentage even modestly, you’re talking about one of baseball’s most dangerous hitters. As it stands, he’s already pretty formidable.
For Detroit’s needs, Suarez checks every box. Power-hitting third baseman on an expiring deal? That’s exactly what contending teams hunt for at the deadline.
There’s also a full-circle element here. Suarez broke into the majors with Detroit back in 2014. In roughly the same number of at-bats he’s had this season, rookie Suarez managed just four home runs. Safe to say he’s developed since then.
The Tigers have to hope Arizona’s season goes sideways between now and the deadline. If the Diamondbacks decide to sell, Suarez becomes the type of rental bat that could push Detroit’s championship aspirations over the top.
