The MLB trade deadline presents an opportunity for the Detroit Tigers to shore up the roster for a deep postseason run. While the team is expected to pursue more relievers, the team is also being linked to a third baseman at the deadline.
For Jim Bowden of The Athletic, the Tigers could "make a ton of sense" for a third baseman from the St. Louis Cardinals. Bowden thinks a Nolan Arenado trade with the Tigers could work for both sides.
"The Cardinals could still move Nolan Arenado and be willing to pay down his contract," Bowden writes, "a team like the Tigers makes a lot of sense in that scenario because St. Louis could include a reliever in the deal as well."
It's an interesting scenario from Bowden. The Tigers could land Arenado, one of the game's best third basemen, and a reliever from the Cardinals in a trade deadline blockbuster.
While Arenado isn't up to his usual performance, hitting just .241 with a .680 OPS, he'd still be a solid pickup for the Tigers. Those numbers aren't terrible, but they are below-average.
But, as Bowden mentions, the Tigers could also add a reliever in this deal. Ryan Helsley is the Cardinals' top option, though combined with Arenado, it might be too steep a price for the Tigers to pay.
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Phil Maton or Steven Matz are the more likely relievers that could be included in a deal like this. Arenado and a reliever would cost the Tigers a lot, but it'd plug two holes on the roster: reliever and third base.
In this scenario, the Cardinals would pick up some of Arenado's remaining contract. He signed through the 2027 season on a huge $275 million deal. While the Tigers wouldn't be on the hook for all of the remaining salary, it'd still be a huge investment.
The ten-time Gold Glove winner and six-time Platinum Glove winner would be a great addition to the Tigers' roster. He'd improve the defense at third base, and also could provide a spark in the lineup.
However, there's a huge requirement for any deal with Areando: he needs to waive his no-trade clause. He has control over where he goes, and if he doesn't want to head to Detroit, then he can nix any deal that he's involved in.
While Bowden thinks an Arenado to Detroit trade makes a lot of sense, Arenado could see it differently and shut down such a deal before it can cross the finish line.
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