Jim Bowden picked the worst possible 'perfect' trade candidate for Tigers

For some reason, former MLB general manager Jim Bowden is obsessed with Luis Robert Jr. Every single year for the last many years, around the trade deadline and Winter Meetings, he's named Robert as a trade candidate for some article in The Athletic. It's uncanny, how regular it is. Bowden must've been thrilled when the Mets actually took him off the White Sox's hands this offseason — though look how well that's worked out for the Mets.

He's most frequently named the Dodgers as a potential landing spot for Robert (the Dodgers did have some reported interest back in 2023 and 2024), but he's also pointed to the Guardians, the Reds, the Giants over the years. And now, the Tigers.

While trying to find "the perfect trade target for every contending MLB team," Bowden starts off by insisting that trading Tarik Skubal would be the best thing for the Tigers, but goes on to say that if they have to buy, they should take Robert off the Mets' hands.

Does Bowden have some sort of shady handshake agreement with Robert and agent Scott Boras to hamstring him into every article of this nature? It certainly seems like it.

Jim Bowden names Luis Robert Jr. as a potential Tigers trade candidate

The only part of Bowden's argument that makes sense is this: the Tigers could use a right-handed bat. Seriously, that's it.

There are many reasons why Robert is not the right solution for the Tigers in that department. He's too expensive for the Tigers' liking in a couple of different ways. Even though they'd only have to pay what's left on the $20 million he's owed this year, the Mets might try to up their asking price because he has an extra year of club control in 2027.

He's also never healthy, which is the last thing the Tigers need when half of their roster has been on the IL at one point or another this season. The Mets knew they were taking on a health risk when they traded for him, but it's been somehow worse since he got to New York. He's played in only 27 games before and after a nearly three-month absence with a herniated disc.

The Tigers could certainly use a stronger bat than James Outman, who currently takes most reps in center field, but Robert is both too expensive and to unhealthy and Javy Báez is working his way back. Try again, Jim.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow