The Detroit Tigers are cruising through the season and own the best record in the American League at 54-33 entering Thursday’s series finale against the Washington Nationals. With the Tigers’ playoff probability climbing to 99.3% according to FanGraphs, they have earned the right to be buyers ahead of the MLB trade deadline on July 31.
The Tigers have several needs, including a right-handed bat, starting pitching and help in the bullpen. But while rumors have already started to fly, one potential trade partner has already poured cold water on Detroit’s deadline plans.
Diamondbacks GM Doesn’t Sound Like He’s Ready to Sell to Tigers
The Arizona Diamondbacks have been connected to the Tigers in early rumors, especially in the case of third baseman Eugenio Suàrez. But during an appearance on The Show podcast with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman of The New York Post, Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen doesn’t sound like he’s ready to throw in the towel on his team ahead of the deadline.
“I want this team to put us in a position to buy,” Hazen said. “I want this team to put us in a position to be right beneath where we need to be. We don’t have to be all the way back in [playoff position] or ahead; we just need to be within a distance that we feel we’re being responsible in adding to this team.”
This sounds like bad news for a Tigers team that could use a bat like the one Suàrez has displayed this season. A former Detroit farmhand, Suàrez is hitting .250/.319/.555 with 26 homers and 69 RBI. While the 33-year-old has defensive issues with an MLB-high 11 errors and a minus-2 in defensive runs saved at third base, it may be worth the headache. Andy Ibàñez, Zach McKinstry, Jace Jung, Javier Báez and Colt Keith have all spent time at the hot corner this season but have put up a combined .224/.286/.353 batter’s line and the sixth-lowest OPS (.639) in the majors.
But while Hazen wants to be a buyer at the deadline, he may be facing a grim reality in the next few weeks. The Diamondbacks have been ravaged by injuries and recently lost Corbin Carroll to a wrist injury. While the former All-Star is hopeful to return by the All-Star break, Arizona has also lost starting pitchers Corbin Burnes and Jordan Montgomery and bullpen arms Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk to season-ending injuries, while catcher Gabriel Moreno has been out with a broken finger.
With several key players on the shelf and a three-game deficit in the National League Wild Card standings, the Diamondbacks will have a pivotal month that includes a three-game series against the Tigers at Comerica Park from July 28-30. If Arizona can’t make up ground, there’s a chance that Hazen may have to eat his words and a player like Suàrez could be changing dugouts later this month.