Not many foresaw the Detroit Tigers being the best team in the American League in 2025, but that's exactly what they've been so far.
The Tigers sit at 27-15, punctuated by a 14-2 curb-stomping of the Boston Red Sox on Monday night. They've pitched just enough and hit just enough to get to this point, but they could certainly use more firepower ahead of their playoff push.
One position of need for Detroit is center field, where an unlikely resurgence from Javier Báez has distracted from the loss of Parker Meadows to the 60-day injured list. Perhaps either or both players can be the long-term starter, but it might not be wise to bank on it.
Instead, one baseball writer believes Detroit should try to trade for a struggling star outfielder from a division rival.
In a recent article, Zachary Howell of ClutchPoints named Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. as a top deadline trade target for the Tigers.
"Luis Robert Jr. is arguably the best outfielder that could be on the trade market. He has a Gold Glove and a Sliver Slugger award in his career and is an All-Star talent despite playing on a lackluster team," Howell wrote.
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"It will take a lot to pry him off the White Sox, but he fits perfectly in Detroit if they make the move. While Baez would need some convincing to move back into the infield, he provides way more on both sides of the ball than Trey Sweeney and Robert Jr. is too good to pass on."
Robert, 27, is having a brutal start to the season, slashing .186/.293/.326 through his first 37 games. He's also dealing with a sore right knee that has kept him out of action since Friday, though he won't likely go to the injured list.
With a $50 million contract that pays him $15 million this year and includes club options for $20 million in 2026 and 2027, Robert's future is in limbo. But if he can put together a solid month or two, a team like Detroit could pounce at the chance to add one of the more talented players in the sport.
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