Tigers predicted to pull off major trade for $50M slugger

Detroit Tigers predicted to pull off major trade for $50 million slugger

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Evan Massey | Last updated Mar 28, 2025 4:05 PM ET

The Detroit Tigers are hoping to take another step forward in 2025. After an impressive run to the playoffs in 2024 that also saw them knock off the Houston Astros in the postseason, the next step would entail becoming a legitimate World Series contender.

During the MLB offseason, the Tigers made some quality moves. They improved the roster from where it was last year.

Among the bigger moves were signing starting pitcher Alex Cobb, infielder Gleyber Torres and starting pitcher Jack Flaherty.

Those three moves added more talent to the roster, but Detroit could be aggressive ahead of the trade deadline. If they start off the season hot, the Tigers could be a buyer to watch in trade discussions.

Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report has made a prediction about one major trade Detroit could make. He thinks Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. might be an option.

He suggested a trade that would see the Tigers acquire Robert — who is signed to a six-year, $50 million contract — in exchange for No. 4 prospect Jace Jung.

"Robert is an injury risk in his own right, having played in 100 or fewer games in three of the last four seasons. Yet he's dynamic when he's right, particularly as he showed with a 38-homer, 20-steal, 5.3-WAR season in 2023," Rymer wrote.

He also noted that Robert could be a long-term addition for Detroit.

"Would the Tigers really sacrifice Jung to get Robert? Perhaps it's a reach, but bear in mind that the 27-year-old Robert need not be a rental," he wrote. "His contract has $20 million club options for 2026 and 2027."

Last season with the White Sox, Robert played in only 100 games. He hit 14 home runs to go along with 35 RBI and a slash line of .224/.278/.379.

If he can get back to his 2023 numbers of 38 home runs, 80 RBI and a .264/.315/.542 slash line, this trade could put the finishing touches on the Tigers' lineup.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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