Tigers loosely linked to 2 outfield trade targets that would be huge for 2025 roster

Spring usually isn't the busiest time in baseball's trade calendar, but the start of Major League camps gives life to both new and existing roster battles that can have an effect on the MLB trade market.

At the start of spring training, Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report identified several players who could be (or who definitely are) on the trading block ahead of the 2025 season and suggested some teams who could be interested in acquiring them. In Rymer's analysis, the Detroit Tigers came up as a possible fit for a pair of slugging outfielders who could provide a boost to the middle of their lineup if they were to pursue a trade.

Tigers loosely connected to 2 outfield targets via trade that would be huge for 2025 roster

Starling Marte (RF/DH, New York Mets)

The New York Mets are paying Starling Marte $20.8 million to be a bench player in 2025 — yes, a bench player. Meanwhile, that same salary would make Marte the second-highest paid player on the Tigers' roster behind Javier Báez and Jack Flaherty, both of whom make $25 million apiece.

"As of December, the Mets were reportedly willing to eat money to facilitate a trade of Marte," Rymer wrote. "That will have to remain the case if they still want to move him, as Marte is 36 and hasn't been an impact player since 2022."

According to Rymer, Marte could be a fit for the Tigers due to their "weak offensive outlook in the outfield." Still, even if New York were to retain some salary, Chris Ilitch's money would probably be better invested elsewhere.

Wilyer Abreu (RF, Boston Red Sox)

If the Tigers are indeed looking to improve their offensive outlook in the outfield, 24-year-old Boston Red Sox right fielder could be a more intriguing option. He has been floated as a speculative trade candidate due to the emergence of Red Sox outfield prospect Roman Anthony, who currently ranks as the No. 1 prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline.

With Abreu set to earn $800,000 in 2025, the financial cost to acquire him would be significantly lower than that of Marte. However, given his multiple remaining years of team control, he would command a hefty return in a potential trade.

Given the Tigers' reliance on their own young, up-and-coming players, it's unlikely that they would be willing to part with any of them in order to meet Boston's asking price for Abreu. In theory, though, these are nice to think about, and you never know what could happen in the coming weeks/months.

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