Detroit's lack of urgency in free agency leaves them with few options

Mack Baltes

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Detroit's lack of urgency in free agency leaves them with few options image

The Detroit Tigers have made minimal moves in the 2026 offseason, seeming content to let other contenders pass them by.

Despite leading the American League for most of the season in 2025, a late season collapse caused Detroit to fall into a Wild Card spot.

That said, they defeated the Cleveland Guardians in the Wild Card round and came within one game of making it to the American League Championship Series, falling to the Seattle Mariners in seven games.

As free agency continues, the Tigers seem to have one option left to improve their lineup. With the signing of Alex Bregman and the recent trade of Nolan Arenado, options at third base seem to be dwindling. 

However, Eugenio Suarez is still available and signing him would accomplish a lot of things.

For starters, it'd give them a premier power bat to add in the middle of the order. Last season between the Mariners and Diamondbacks, Suarez clubbed 49 home runs and drove in a career-high 118 runs. 

The move would also allow Zack McKinstry to be used as a utility man, as opposed to an everyday third baseman. This would keep McKinstry in a position he's excelled at, but would also add depth to Detroit's infield.

Finally, the move would also take away from one of their American League rivals. In signing Suarez, the Tigers would take away an established veteran bat from the Mariners, another contending team that eliminated them last season.

Considering who's left unsigned, if Detroit decides against a reunion with Suarez (he played 85 games in Detroit during his rookie season), they are better off spending money elsewhere than signing another third baseman.

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Staff Writer