Tigers named potential trade fit for former AL batting champ, but they can do better

Houston Astros v Tampa Bay Rays
Houston Astros v Tampa Bay Rays | Kevin Sabitus/GettyImages

A lot can happen before the July 31 trade deadline, but the Tigers — 39-21 through their Sunday afternoon victory over the Royals, the best record in baseball — tentatively look like they'll be buyers. Third base is a perennial problem for Detroit, the bullpen could use another high-leverage backend reliever, and a starter could be on the wishlist if the rotation keeps getting unlucky with injury, but otherwise, things are looking pretty good.

What the Tigers don't need is a first baseman, despite CBS Sports naming the Tigers a potential landing spot for Rays veteran Yandy Díaz, who has a .690 OPS through 54 games.

There was a world in which first base could've been an issue, if Spencer Torkelson hadn't done a total 180 and become one of the lineup's biggest threats. There was also a world in which the Tigers were still in desperate need of some power, if Torkelson, Riley Greene, and Kerry Carpenter weren't on track for breakout seasons.

But Torkelson is doing a 180 and solidifying his place back at first, and he, Greene, and Carpenter have a combined .494 slugging. Díaz might've been the American League's leader in batting average back in 2023, but even if the Tigers might benefit from another experienced bat in the lineup, they could do better than him.

Tigers named a potential landing spot for Rays veteran Yandy Díaz by CBS Sports

Díaz has been a relatively consistent bat throughout his career with the Guardians and Rays, but he's had a steep drop off so far this season, batting .241 with a .690 OPS. The drop in his OBP has been perhaps the most worrisome part of his line — .286, almost 100 points down from his career .373 from 2017-2024 — and his walk rate has only been decreasing since 2022, when it peaked at 14%. This year, it's 5.9%.

Gleyber Torres has been an exemplary veteran bat so far, with a .386 OBP and 14.2% walk rate. So if the Tigers already have a veteran who can get on base and a first baseman who can rake, why would they need Díaz?

The Tigers would be far better off focusing on pitching at the deadline. Jace Jung is back to hitting well in Triple-A, so maybe he'll be able to clean up his act and become the third baseman the Tigers have been dying for instead of making them negotiate a trade. Either way, they're good without Díaz.