The Detroit Tigers didn’t land any top players at the trade deadline, settling for quantity over quality of players. While Kyle Finnegan has been great, the Tigers could’ve used more help offensively.
But, they didn’t make such a trade, focusing on pitching instead. However, come the offseason, the Tigers could look to improve their offense.
For Christopher Kline of Fansided.com, the Tigers are one of the more realistic landing spots for Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte. He’d be the Tigers’ big addition in the offseason and would be around for the long haul.
Why Ketel Marte Fits With Detroit
While the Tigers could look to improve other areas of the roster, there could be a major hole to fill in the offseason. Gleyber Torres is a free agent at the end of the year, and he could decide to depart in free agency over stay in Detroit.
Such a decision would leave the Tigers with a massive hole at the position, and Marte, who’s been the subject of trade speculation lately, could be an incredible option. And not only would he be a good fit, he’s arealistic target in the mind of Kline.
“Detroit has an excellent farm system, chock full of middle infielders for Arizona to tab as Marte’s replacement.” Kline writes. “The Tugers need a huge bat in the middle of the lineup to really level up. Marte fits the bill and he’s on a great contract value-wise, even if age (and apparently ‘rest’) are concerns long, long term.”
Bryce Rainer, Hao-Yu Lee, and Max Anderson could all be options for Detroit to send to Arizona for Marte. While it’d likely cost more than just one of those prospects, the Diamondbacks likely wouldn’t be able to land either of the top two Tigers prospects, Max Clark or Kevin McGonigle.
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Getting the chance to land the 31-year-old All-Star is something that the Tigers shouldn’t pass on. He has been one of the best-hitting second basemen in baseball in recent seasons. His .952 OPS this season is an incredible number, as is his 160 OPS+, which is a career high for the 11-year MLB veteran.
Over the last three seasons, Marte has had a .287 batting average with a .901 OPS. Few second basemen in baseball can compare to Marte, and he’d be an immediate upgrade for the Tigers if they could land him.
Torres does make this an interesting situation for the Tigers, but Marte has been better in his career, and rarely does a player of his status become available. Even if it costs a decent amount, Marte should be strongly pursued by the Tigers in the offseason.
He’ll be 32 years old in 2026 and signed for the next five seasons on a very reasonable deal, which is as low as $12 million in 2027 and as high as $22 million in 2029 and 2030.
The Tigers should be involved in the Marte sweepstakes if the Diamondbacks do plan to trade him in the offseason. And as Kline mentions, the Tigers are one of a couple of teams that are the most realistic fits for the Diamondbacks’ All-Star second baseman.
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