Is Spencer Torkelson's hot streak driving up trade value or solidifying his place with Tigers?

There was a time when Spencer Torkelson was thought to be one of the most prodigious hitters the Tigers would have a chance at developing.

He was the first overall pick in the 2020 draft, coming off of a college career at Arizona State that included him breaking multiple Sun Devils records — some set by Barry Bonds. He rocketed through the minors and ended up in Triple-A by the end of his first professional season before he was called up the next year.

2022 offered a tantalizing glimpse at what he might be capable of. If he was hitting 31 homers and 94 RBI in just his second professional season, what about when he was really in his prime?

Of course, things haven't gone totally according to plan with Tork. His performance has ebbed and flowed, giving him a reputation as one of the streakier guys on the Tigers' offense. He'll hit five homers in five games, then turn around and go into a drought for weeks.

We're seeing one of those upswings right now. He's hitting .286 with a 1.005 OPS, four homers, and nine RBI in September after hitting .238/.638 in August. But there are also hints that he's plateauing in a decent way.

The question of what to do with him — to trade or not to trade — has burdened the Tigers' front office on and off over the last few offseasons, and it might this year. He's not making it any easier on them this year.

Spencer Torkelson is going to create another conundrum for the Tigers' front office this offseason

Torkelson still has two years of team control and is averaging about 21 homers and 62 RBI per season. That's respectable production that would make him a decent trade chip in the offseason. There have been suitors before; both the Pirates and Mets have been floated as potentially interested parties in offseasons past.

The Tigers also have Josue Briceño in Triple-A, and he should be knocking on the door sometime next season. Torkelson has already been relegated to a platoon at first base with Colt Keith. Detroit could get a reliever and a prospect in a decent haul back.

But, as we've seen, the Tigers aren't eager to trade their homegrown guys. They only let fellow first overall pick Casey Mize go when they absolutely had to. They've dealt with the infield glut decently this year, and they could be satisfied with just continuing along those lines until Torkelson hits free agency.

Any team that needs a first baseman will probably come calling on the offseason, but the Tigers might still find it hard to part with him.

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