The Detroit Tigers have been one of the best teams in baseball this season. They could still use some upgrades at the trade deadline, and the Arizona Diamondbacks could provide them.
The Tigers could use some help in the starting rotation, and another bat in their lineup. Zach McKinstry has done fine at third base, but adding a third baseman would allow McKinstry to play in the outfield full time, potentially. Adding another starting pitcher could also help them make a deep run.
FanSided’s Jason Reed predicted that the Tigers would acquire both Eugenio Suárez and Merrill Kelly from the Diamondbacks in a blockbuster trade.
“Both players are entering free agency, so they do not represent a long-term investment for whoever adds them,” wrote Reed. “If there was ever a time for a small-market team like the Tigers to go all-in on a two-for-one, it’s now. The Tigers don’t have to worry about paying either player in the future and can get the tandem for a price that won’t derail things moving forward. Detroit is loaded with young talent and has one of the best farm systems in baseball. With two top-10 prospects and five top-100 prospects in the system, per MLB Pipeline, the Tigers have the means to take a swing.”
“Suarez would slot into the middle of the order as the every-day third baseman, allowing Zach McKinstry to move around the diamond,” Reed continued. “Kelly would slot in as an extremely overqualified No. 4 starter for the team’s playoff rotation.”
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Suárez was an All-Star this season, and is perhaps the best player available at the trade deadline. He has a National League-best 36 home runs and a league-leading 86 RBIs. His .924 OPS could change any offense. Kelly has a 3.32 ERA in 21 starts and would slot in fine in the middle of the rotation.
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