Tigers insider’s offseason speculation could complicate Spencer Torkelson’s future

The Detroit Tigers have an obvious hole at first base, one that was expected to be filled by former No. 1 overall draft pick Spencer Torkelson.

But when the Tigers optioned Torkelson to Triple-A Toledo in June for the second time in three MLB seasons amidst his continued struggles at the plate, fans' confidence in the once-highly-regarded prospect began to fade.

Understandably, questions have begun to pop up regarding Torkelson's future with the franchise. In his weekly mailbag for MLive.com, Tigers beat writer Evan Woodberry fed into the speculation that Torkelson may no longer be part of the club's long term plans at first base.

In response to a reader's question about potential offseason targets, Woodberry said that he hoped the Tigers would target a first baseman this winter because it's the "quickest, easiest and relatively cheapest way to upgrade the offense." He mentioned pending free agent Christian Walker, as well as potential targets on the trade market such as Yandy Diaz of the Tampa Bay Rays and Josh Naylor of the Cleveland Guardians, as viable options for the Tigers to shore up their first base situation.

Tigers insider’s offseason speculation could complicate Spencer Torkelson’s future

Exploring free agency and the trade market, Woodberry said, is what the Tigers should do this offseason. What they will do, however, is still a mystery that centers around Torkelson. Understandably, the Tigers don't want to cut ties with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft and are likely giving him a longer leash as a result. But after continued performance issues that resulted in his second demotion, it's easy to wonder whether that leash may be getting shorter.

In the 2024 season, Torkelson is hitting .201 with four home runs, 16 walks (7% rate) and 56 strikeouts (24.4% rate) in 54 MLB games with -5 defensive runs saved at first base. The 24-year-old is a career .218 hitter with a .683 OPS in 323 games, a span of 1,318 plate appearances at the major league level.

If the Tigers truly plan to make Torkelson their everyday first baseman, Woodberry said he should probably be on the major league roster "now or in the very near future." If there's still a question as to whether Torkelson is still Detroit's guy at first base, the fact that he's still in Toledo could be the answer.

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