Could the Detroit Tigers have a viable Alex Bregman backup plan at third base?

It is no secret that the Detroit Tigers have a huge hole at third base. That had been occupied by Gio Urshela for most of 2024 until the team cut ties with the veteran infielder towards season's end. Asa. result, Matt Vierling filled in for a while before rookie Jace Jung made his MLB debut.

While Vierling is a fine player, he doesn't exactly strike many as an everyday third baseman. In the meantime, Jung's performance was lackluster at best — he hit just .241 with minimal power, logging only five extra-base hits.

The Tigers' main rumored target this offseason has been Alex Bregman, who is tied to Detroit because his former manager in Houston, AJ Hinch, is now in the Motor City. There are other lesser options for the team, but a big splash seems necessary at this point. Bregman would be a great fit for the team, but it seems as though there is a backup plan available should Bregman choose to play elsewhere (or the Tigers opt not to pay him).

Tigers should explore Nolan Arenado trade if Alex Bregman isn't an option

Recently, there has been a growing feeling that the St. Louis Cardinals are interested in trading away veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado, who has been a household name in MLB for a decade now and, despite his age, still puts up productive numbers.

Arenado slashed .272/.325/.394 with 16 home runs in 2024. Partner that with continued stellar defense, and that is a player Tigers' fans should be excited about. He would also bring solid veteran leadership and playoff experience to the team.

The question would essentially be what the price would be if the Cards decide to move him. With a hefty contract of three years and $52 million left through his age-36 season, there may be an opening for a lower trade price. The Tigers have some prospects that they could be willing to part with, or even some more established players like Matt Manning that the Cardinals may be interested in.

There are pros and cons to a potential Arenado trade. The quality of the player is obvious, and the leadership qualities that he brings are beyond valuable. The contract and the slugger's age are of concern, but it is up to the Tigers to determine if they can overlook spending more than they'd prefer. There's good reason to lean either way, and Bregman would be a more ideal fit for the team, but this just shows that there are options if the Tigers decide to get creative and fill their need at third base.