Tigers urged to 'bring home' $79 million 301 home run slugger

Despite sitting atop the AL Central and the American League overall, the Detroit Tigers have a clear need at the MLB trade deadline. That need is a third baseman. With a few interesting names likely available, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan is urging the Tigers to land the top option at third base on the trade market.

"Bring Eugenio Suarez home." Passan wrote, "... Suarez's power would fit perfectly in the Tigers' lineup and is robust enough to get over the fence at Comerica Park, one of the largest stadiums in MLB."

Suarez and the Tigers have been linked ever since the Arizona Diamondbacks emerged as potential sellers. Between Suarez making his MLB debut with the organization, playing under A.J. Hinch, and the Tigers' desperate need, there is little reason why a deal wouldn't make sense.

However, it takes two to tango, and the Diamondbacks might be stingy despite Suarez being a free agent after the 2025 season. But if Suarez does become available, Passan wants to see Suarez return to the Tigers, where his big-league career started.

He's currently making $15 million this season and is in the final year of his $79 million contract. Suarez will turn 34 on July 18th, and would be another veteran bat added to the young Tigers lineup if they can pull off a trade.

In his 12-year MLB career, Suarez has hit 301 home runs, 1,376 hits, 250 doubles, and 899 RBIs. This season, Suarez is one of baseball's premier sluggers, as he has a 141 OPS+ and a .564 slugging percentage, which ranks 5th in baseball this season.

For Detroit, there might be no better trade deadline acquisition than Suarez. He's a dynamic power hitter and would solve the team's need at third base. They will have the assets to trade for him, so the only thing holding the Tigers back from making a splash is the Diamondbacks' reluctance to sell.

Passan is urging the Tigers to trade for Suarez and bolster their lineup with one of baseball's best sluggers in the past decade. He's one of a few options at third base, which would be a dream scenario for the Tigers at the MLB trade deadline, as they look to strengthen their roster for a World Series push.