The Detroit Tigers are cruising toward a second straight playoff berth and own an 8.5-game lead in the American League Central heading into Monday’s action. With a team that is firmly established as one of baseball’s best, the conversation at the trade deadline will be who the Tigers can get to bring it all together.
Many believe that the Tigers will be looking for a right-handed bat at the deadline to add some more punch to their lineup. Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez, Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr., and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward are also some names to monitor as the July 31 deadline gets closer. But don’t rule out the chance that someone steps up to fill the void.
One Tigers outfielder is doing his best to solve the problem, and his sudden power surge may be enough to change Detroit’s deadline plans and shift their attention to another pressing need.
Wenceel Peréz Could Be the Bat the Tigers Are Looking For
Wenceel Peréz was called up by the Tigers on May 27, and he hasn’t stopped hitting since he made his way back to the major leagues. In 22 games since his call-up, Peréz is hitting .296/.346/.648 with six homers and 13 RBI in 78 plate appearances. That includes a solo home run in Detroit’s 9-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday and three homers in the past six games.
Wenceel for the lead 🚀 pic.twitter.com/BZ6zj3JCHF
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) June 22, 2025
Tigers fans are used to surprises like this. Names like Trey Sweeney, Dillon Dingler, and Colt Keith have become regular contributors for Detroit over the past year, and Peréz could be the next on the list. But the biggest question for the front office is whether this can continue and update their shopping list for the deadline.
Perèz’s career suggests that it may not be the case. He played in 112 games for the Tigers on the way to the postseason last year and hit just .242/.300/.383 with nine homers and 37 RBI. His power also didn’t show up in the minor leagues, hitting .250/.307/.424 with 15 homers and 50 RBI over 134 games. Unless you account for his 2022 season, where he hit .295/.269/.534 with 14 homers and 66 RBI between High-A West Michigan and Double-A Erie, there hasn’t been a high-production season on his resume, suggesting Perèz is going through a hot streak.
But what happens if it’s a stretch that rides through the next month? The chances of the switch-hitting Peréz turning into Barry Bonds are a stretch, but it could pay dividends if he’s a functional part of the lineup.
The Tigers have been using a combination of Parker Meadows and Javier Bàez in the outfield this season, but Báez has returned to shortstop amid Sweeney’s struggles this season. Getting Peréz as an outfield bat could act as an addition and help the Tigers turn their attention to a starting rotation that looks thin even with the pending return of Reese Olson and the potential debut of Alex Cobb.
If the Tigers are going to spend big, it may be worth getting an additional pitcher just as much as getting one more bat. If Peréz is the answer to the offensive side of the puzzle, the Tigers could work to make a solid rotation even stronger for a deep playoff run.