Desperate for a Bat, Tigers Face High-Stakes Deadline Decisions

The Detroit Tigers have landed on The Athletic’s list of themost desperate teams to add a bat before Thursday’s trade deadline. The Tigers are the third most desperate according to the list, since their offense spiraled in July.

Back in mid-June, The Athletic speculated Detroit might need an upgrade “in 50ish days.” Fifty days later, here we are. Surprise.

The Tigers entered Sunday with the second-worst OPS in MLB this month (.593), ahead of only the Pirates. They've averaged just 2.4 runs per game in July, dropped 13 of their last 15, and until Kerry Carpenter’s return Sunday, had gone six straight games without a win.

Javier Baez has regressed since returning to shortstop, while Trey Sweeney was sent back to the minors to get more work in. Riley Greene and Gleyber Torres have been productive, but the lineup around them has cratered.

Detroit has been connected to Eugenio Suarez, though the asking price remains high—and the Yankees, once considered a top competitor, are now out after trading for Amed Rosario and Ryan McMahon. That could clear a path, but it’s unclear if Tigers president Scott Harris is willing to part with top prospects.

A more realistic fit could be Yoan Moncada, a switch-hitting rental with decent power and a modest price tag. Internal options like Jahmai Jones remain available, but don’t offer much in the way of pop.

Detroit’s deep farm system gives it options. They have four players on The Athletic's top 60 prospects. They can afford to make a big deal if they want to.

But as The Athletic pointed out, the need is real now—and unless the Tigers want to punt on the rest of the season, help has to come fast. They’ve already hit the desperation tier. The question now is whether they’ll act like it.