The 2025 MLB season is flying by, meaning it won't be much longer until the trade deadline is here. The Detroit Tigers could be one of the more active teams next month, as they currently lead the Majors with a 51-31 record as of Thursday. A trade splash or two could further cement them as World Series contenders in the second half of the campaign.
While sometimes it only takes a few small deals to improve a team's championship odds, Tigers fans wouldn't complain if the front office pulled off a blockbuster trade before July 31. It's now looking like one potential trade target for Detroit is someone whom the club tried to lure to the Motor City not too long ago.
Tigers Could Reportedly Target Red Sox 3B Alex Bregman Before Trade Deadline
The Tigers chased after a handful of big-name free agents this past winter, including two-time All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman. Detroit Free Press' Evan Petzold reported in February that Detroit offered Bregman a six-year contract worth $171.5 million; however, the former Houston Astros 3B opted to sign a three-year, $120 million deal with the Boston Red Sox instead.
"If the Red Sox shop (Bregman), (the Tigers are) all in again, still in need of a third baseman," USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale wrote on Wednesday. "The Tigers realize this is their chance to return to the World Series for the first time since 2012, and win it for the first time since 1984."
Even though the Tigers failed to sign the elite infielder in the offseason, they still have a chance to bring him to town. The Red Sox are on pace to miss the MLB playoffs with a 40-42 record, which could leave them open to trading their star winter addition.
As great as Detroit's season has gone so far, upgrading third base is a must before the deadline. Zach McKinstry and Andy Ibanez are far from irreplaceable at this point in the season, and it isn't hard to see how Bregman would be an instant upgrade over the duo.
Since being drafted second overall by the Houston Astros in 2015, Bregman has gone on to rack up 202 home runs, 698 RBIs, a 42.5 WAR, and a .274/.366/.486 slash line in 1,162 regular-season games. He also boasts nearly 100 playoff games under his belt, too, with his biggest postseason accomplishments being his two World Series rings.
Despite the Red Sox's litany of on- and off-field issues this season, Bregman has still found a way to block out the noise to be productive. He's slashing .299/.385/.553 with 11 HRs, 35 RBIs, and 22 walks in his first 51 outings, which would put him on pace for 35 HRs and 111 RBIs in 162 games had he not missed time due to injury.
With up to two years remaining on his deal, Bregman could be the perfect addition to help the Tigers maintain their contender status for the foreseeable future. Even if it costs a promising top prospect or two, it's a price worth paying to help the Motor City end its 40-year World Series title drought.
That alone makes trading for Bregman a path worth exploring for the Tigers in the lead-up to next month's trade deadline.