Tigers’ Top Trade Target Could Be Gone. What’s Plan B at Third?

The Tigers have been connected to Eugenio Suárez for weeks, but CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa doesn’t see him ending up in Detroit. In his latest round of deadline predictions, Axisa has Suárez going to the Brewers, which is ironic. Unlike several contenders, the Brewers don’t really need a third baseman but might be willing to pay up to keep one away from a rival.

If he’s right, the Tigers will have to pivot. The good news: there are still a few decent options on the board. The bad news: it’s a short list, and none are perfect.

Ryan McMahon could be the best fit.

If the Tigers want a legitimate offensive upgrade with some team control, McMahon might be the name to watch. The lefty slugger has been one of the Rockies’ few bright spots this season, hitting for power and playing steady defense at third.

He’s signed through 2027 at around $12 million a year—reasonable for a guy who brings left-handed power, defensive versatility, and playoff experience. The Rockies are going nowhere, and McMahon has been mentioned in trade talks. If Detroit is serious about upgrading at the hot corner, this might be their cleanest swing.

Ke’Bryan Hayes brings the glove, but the bat is a question

Hayes would give the Tigers a Gold Glove-caliber third baseman overnight. He’s signed through 2029, and his defense alone makes him a valuable piece. But the offense hasn’t kept up—his numbers this year are well below league average.

Still, there’s upside there, and Hayes fits the Tigers’ model: young, under control, and impact-caliber on one side of the ball. If Detroit believes in the bat, it’s worth a call.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa could be a quietly smart addition

If the Tigers decide not to go big, Kiner-Falefa could be the kind of move that pays off anyway. He’s not a headliner, but he can play just about anywhere—and Hinch values that kind of flexibility. He’s hit well in a utility role with Toronto, and he’s only owed a few million the rest of the way.

This wouldn’t be a splash, but it would make the roster better. That’s not nothing.

If Suárez ends up somewhere else—and Axisa thinks he will—the Tigers will have to act fast. McMahon offers the best combination of bat and contract. Hayes brings elite defense. Kiner-Falefa brings versatility and a low acquisition cost.

None of them is perfect. But with the deadline creeping closer and few other third basemen on the market, the Tigers won’t have the luxury of waiting.