The Detroit Tigers have given the Motor City plenty to celebrate throughout the 2025 MLB season. The Tigers have a real shot at their first 100-win campaign in over 40 years as they sit at a 55-34 record through 89 games, making it interesting to see how A.J. Hinch's club will further establish itself as a World Series threat in the season's second half.
Solidifying themselves as championship contenders will likely require the Tigers to make some tough decisions. A World Series can't be brought to Detroit as long as certain players are failing to meet expectations, which is why the Tigers must cut ties with this struggling infielder, potentially before this month's MLB All-Star break.
Tigers SS Trey Sweeney Must Be Kicked Out of Detroit
There's a good chance that Trey Sweeney might not have that much of a future in Detroit. The former 2021 first-round pick has been in the Tigers' system following last year's Jack Flaherty trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and it hasn't taken long for him to wear out his welcome.
A solid spring training performance resulted in Sweeney making the Opening Day roster. Since then, it's been a struggle. The former Eastern Illinois product slashed a forgettable .221/.280/.314 with four home runs, 23 RBIs, 18 walks, and two stolen bases in 70 games. That's without mentioning how his defensive play has been more detrimental than beneficial.
With no sign of improvement in sight, the Tigers optioned Sweeney to Triple-A Toledo on June 28. He went on to register one hit in eight appearances across two games with the Mud Hens before being promoted back to Detroit on July 2.
Since rejoining the Tigers, Sweeney has started one game while coming off the bench in two others. The fact that he's mostly operated in a bench role since the beginning of June suggests that he's no longer an integral part of Detroit's future, especially with infielder prospects like Kevin McGonigle, Bryce Rainer, and Hao-Yu Lee waiting in the wings.
If any team is willing to take Sweeney on via trade, the Tigers must pounce on that opportunity. Although Sweeney is still young enough to have a lengthy MLB career, Detroit is too loaded at shortstop to keep him around for much longer.
Unless he finds an unlikely way to make himself untouchable, Sweeney's time with the Tigers could end sooner rather than later.