Tigers might've just ruined their most optimistic trade deadline plans with one pitch

UPDATE: Suárez may have evaded the worst again, just as he did during the All-Star Game. X-Rays were reportedly negative, and he's day-to-day (despite his fingers being "tender to the touch").

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez is possibly the most coveted candidate at this year's trade deadline. The Detroit Tigers are among the many teams that have been linked to him. On Monday evening, that interest got very complicated with one pitch.

Up 5-1 in the ninth inning, Tigers hurler Will Vest hit Suárez on the hand with a 96 mph fastball. He exited the game in clear pain.

That sound you heard was every fervent buyer at the trade deadline, from Chicago to Milwaukee to Cincinnati to, yes, Detroit, gasping in unison.

Tigers' Will Vest hurts trade deadline plans with Eugenio Suárez hit-by-pitch

The Tigers could use some reinforcements at the hot corner. Zach McKinstry is their everyday third baseman, and while Suárez wouldn't be a defensive upgrade, he would spark Detroit's slumping offense. McKinstry is slashing .266/.348/.437 with eight homers over 97 games this year, and Suárez is batting .246/.318/.576 with an .894 OPS and 36 home runs in 105 games.

The Tigers have a strong farm system and could net plenty of strong trade candidates to make them more competitive for the second half. MLB insider Bob Nightengale categorized Detroit as "one of the strong suitors" for Suárez, which has had fans on the edge of their seats as the deadline inches closer.

Unfortunately, according to John Gambadoro, a longtime radio host on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Phoenix, the Tigers' interest in Suárez is "largely overblown," even before Monday's incident.

Gambadoro also noted that Detroit is most interested in trading for bullpen reinforcements ahead of the trade deadline. He characterized third base as "not a pressing need," and the Tigers' focus remains elsewhere.

The Tigers shifted their attention to pitching additions on July 28 when they traded for Chris Paddack from the Minnesota Twins. Reese Olson was placed on the 60-day injured list with a shoulder strain, effectively ending his season and slashing some of Detroit's pitching depth in the process.

Suárez is on an expiring contract, and it serves the Diamondbacks to find a trade suitor for him before he walks in free agency. The Tigers have been clear that they don't plan to trade any top-100 prospects this deadline, of which they have five, and it may take such a player to pull one of the most highly coveted trade candidates of this deadline.

Unfortunately, that moment might've entirely crashed in a heap at the tail end of Monday's game.