How far are the Detroit Tigers willing to go to maximize their title window?
In 2024, the Tigers sold at the trade deadline, then made a shocking run all the way to the American League Division Series. They not only won three-quarters of their games from mid-August on, but they showed real potential to compete with the best teams in the game.
With perhaps the best pitcher in the sport in Tarik Skubal, the Tigers are building something exciting. But the young core will also need to be supplemented on both sides of the ball if they want any shot at a pennant in the next couple of seasons.
Free agency is always the most scrutinized option at this time of year, but the Tigers could also look to the trade market to add a high-profile superstar. The St. Louis Cardinals, who are trending the opposite way of Detroit, could provide that superstar.
Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, an eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glover, is widely rumored to be available via trade. Matt Snyder of CBS Sports recently named the Tigers as a potential fit for Arenado, who has three years remaining on his $260 million contract.
"The Tigers are coming off a run to the ALDS and are looking to capitalize on the momentum, at least in theory. They don't have much money on the books moving forward, so this should be a fit," Snyder said.
"Adding Arenado would either block Jace Jung at third or move Spencer Torkelson from first to permanent DH at a young age, so it might not sound ideal, but there's a fit in there. Jung wasn't good in 34 games as a rookie last year, so it's not like he's a sure thing who must play every day in 2025."
Arenado, 33, had his worst season since 2013, his rookie campaign, with the Cardinals this year. His .719 OPS and 101 OPS+ were uncharacteristically mediocre, and he also failed to win a Gold Glove for the second-straight year after taking home 10 in a row to kick off his career.
But while some might see a player in decline, the Tigers might well see a superstar who just needs a change of scenery. If they can convince the Cardinals to eat some money or accept middling prospects in exchange for Arenado, they could jump-start their World Series pursuit.
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