Although the Detroit Tigers are currently leading the MLB standings, they’re still not without flaws.
The Tigers, with an average age of 27.6 years, have the fourth-youngest roster in Major League Baseball. This leaves the door open for a trade deadline addition that, while not massive, could help boost their offensive output.
One MLB analyst offers the perfect fit for Motown.
Eugenio Suárez to the Detroit Tigers? One Analyst Makes the Case
The Tigers top MLB with 47 wins and have consistently shown they can shut down opposing offenses. At the plate, they combine power hitting with well-timed doubles, giving their lineup a balanced attack.
Still, even a strong lineup can benefit from adding another bat. Jim Bowden, senior writer for The Athletic and former MLB general manager, highlights the need for an upgrade. Bowden proposes a deal that sees Detroit acquire slugging third baseman Eugenio Suárez from the Arizona Diamondbacks for two prospects.
Eugenio Suárez gets the @Dbacks on the board with one big swing! 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/VV2xNNN9CN
— MLB (@MLB) June 15, 2025
“The Tigers need to lengthen their lineup by adding another power bat, and Suárez, who began his career with Detroit, would be the perfect fit. Suárez is having a great season, already smacking 21 homers and 13 doubles,” Bowden wrote.
With Zach McKinstry firmly at third base, why bring in another player for that position?
In reality, McKinstry is the stronger defender and will likely keep his spot, while Suárez would fit in as the designated hitter. The team’s current DH, Colt Keith, hasn’t shown enough power this season, with just four home runs, making a change necessary.
Additionally, McKinstry’s solid season might be an outlier for his career, and the Tigers should expect regression. Plus, McKinstry might be better served in a utility or platoon role thanks to his positional flexibility.
Suárez would serve as a steady, everyday presence in the lineup with legitimate pop. The Tigers are a good story, but they lack the force and presence that could help win over some skeptics.
On the other side of this deal, Arizona benefits by shedding the remainder of Suárez’s salary while infusing the organization with young talent. Plus, Suárez likely isn’t in their long-term plans, as many expect top prospect Jordan Lawlar to man third base starting in 2026.
“The Diamondbacks have one of the best prospects in baseball, Jordan Lawlar, who could immediately replace Suárez at the hot corner. Lawlar is tearing up Triple-A as he waits his turn, batting .324/.405/.583 with nine homers, 18 doubles, four triples, and 16 steals,” Bowden wrote.
MLB.com ranks the 22-year-old as the fourth-best prospect in baseball and highlights his excellent speed and range.
With a 36-36 record in the National League West, the Diamondbacks remain behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and San Diego Padres. One more key player getting hurt could crush the team and end any hope of making the playoffs this year.
General manager Mike Hazen recently declared his team as buyers barring a complete collapse in the coming weeks. With multiple important relievers and ace Corbin Burnes hurt for most of, if not the rest of, the regular season, Arizona can’t have anything else go wrong. If that happens, Suárez would represent a key piece to trade.
Adding Suárez helps the Tigers down the stretch, as the postseason means that home run hitting comes at a premium.
According to Bowden, if the Tigers were to offer prospects, Arizona needs to jump on the deal. Righthander Jaden Hamm and second baseman Max Anderson would be ideal additions to the Diamondbacks’ prospect pool. MLB.com ranks Hamm as the seventh and Anderson as the 21st-best prospects in the Tigers’ system.
In this trade scenario, both teams come out as winners, securing what they need at the major league level while freeing up space in their talent pipelines.