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Tigers Trade Target Says 'I Don’t Want to Leave' As Deadline Buzz Grows
Owen Ziliak/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Just as the chatter around a potential Eugenio Suarez–Tigers reunion is starting to build momentum, one voice threw a wrench into the idea. The All-Star third baseman himself offered a reminder that this isn’t just about lineup holes and good fits on the field.

“I don’t want to leave Arizona,” Suarez told The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. “Obviously, we know how the business of baseball is. But right now, I feel comfortable. I feel every time we win a game, we’ve got a chance to make the playoffs. Every time we lose, maybe something like that pops in my mind. Which is not good for me. I don’t want to get traded.”

Suarez doesn’t control his fate, he can be traded at the will of Arizona GM Mike Hazen. But the GM has made it clear in recent interviews that he has no intention of selling at the trade deadline—at least, not yet. Like Suarez, Hazen is holding out hope the Diamondbacks can stay in the playoff picture and avoid turning the summer into a clearance sale.

That complicates things for Detroit and every other team needing a slugging third baseman.

The Tigers are one of the hottest teams in baseball, but third base remains one of the few holes in an otherwise energized roster. Suarez has been a popular name among insiders in trade talk. He is a proven veteran, a familiar face, and a realistic rental if Arizona flips the switch.

But this isn’t fantasy baseball. Suarez has been traded three times in his career, never during a season. He’s finally found some stability. And it’s clear from his words that he’s hoping, just this once, to be left out of the midseason rumor mill.

Whether that happens is another story. The Tigers may still need a third baseman. The Diamondbacks may still decide to sell. And Suarez, despite what he wants, may still be on the move.

But, now, teams trading for him know he’s not exactly excited by the idea of joining their roster. 

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

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