For the Detroit Tigers, they have a couple of major needs despite being the top team in the AL Central. Detroit could use a starter, reliever, third baseman, and even an outfielder. With those needs, one player the Tigers could target is a polarizing outfielder from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
According to Stephen Parello of Motor City Bengals, the Tigers are predicted to be one of the teams involved in the Oneil Cruz trade market at the deadline. The Pirates are open to trading nearly anyone, and Cruz would be the most interesting player to add.
“A player like Cruz won’t come cheap,” Parello writes. “But with his talent, tools, and control, he can join the rest of the Tigers’ foundational pieces to elevate the best team in MLB, making him a gamble that’s very much worth taking, even at a high prospect cost.”
Detroit has the prospect depth to swing a deal for Cruz, even if he costs a lot. And with the Tigers in firm contention for the top spot in the AL, Cruz could be a massive piece of a postseason run.
Cruz is one of baseball’s most polarizing players. Cruz has some of the best pop (100th percentile average exit velocity) and speed (NL leading 27 stolen bases) in baseball. He’s one of the game’s most dangerous hitters, but he has some major flaws.
In the past week, Cruz was benched for a lack of effort. He’s misplayed balls in the outfield due to his poor effort, and also has struck out the most in the Major Leagues halfway through the year.
There are red flags with Cruz; however, he’d be such a fun addition to the Tigers, and on a championship contender, Cruz’s effort issues might be resolved. Playing on a team with something to play for, unlike the Pirates, could be the impetus for Cruz to rekindle his love of the game.
Detroit would have to give up a lot, but Cruz’s potential is sky-high, and they’d have him through the 2028 season. Cruz is one of the most interesting players in baseball, and the Tigers could put him in the outfield to provide a spark to their offense and add another level to the Tigers as they aim for the 2025 World Series.
