Tigers Predicted To Cut Ties With Prospect Acquired In Jack Flaherty Trade

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Zach Pressnell is a Newsweek contributor based in Columbus, Ohio. His focus is MLB content. He has an extensive knowledge of professional baseball and all things that come with it after working closely with the sport for years. Zach has been with Newsweek since November 2024 and previously worked at FanSided and OnSI. He is a graduate of Bethany College (WV). You can get in touch with Zach by emailing z.pressnell@newsweek.com.

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The Detroit Tigers took a bit of a conservative approach at the trade deadline, opting to add to their roster, but not in a huge way.

As a result, they held onto a lot of their young players. Still, they could look to make a few big moves in the coming months involving some of their young players, especially if they have top prospects coming to replace them.

Colin Keane of Motor City Bengals recently suggested the Tigers could cut ties with young infielder Trey Sweeney in the offseason after holding onto him at the trade deadline.

“Sweeney made his MLB debut last season for the Tigers and ended up playing 36 games, finishing the year with a .218 batting average to go along with four home runs and 17 RBI,” Keane wrote. “This season, Sweeney is slashing .208/.275/.303 with five home runs and 27 RBI in 231 at-bats (entering Wednesday). Detroit’s farm system is loaded with high-end talent in the infield, with studs like Hao-Yu Lee knocking on the door and the franchise’s No. 1 prospect, Kevin McGonigle, soon to follow.

“In other words, the Tigers will soon have multiple in-house upgrades to Sweeney. That doesn’t mean Sweeney’s trade value in the eyes of other clubs is dead, though. He’s still just 25 years old and was a first-round pick for a reason. There’s still time for Sweeney to unlock things in the batter’s box, and there are teams out there who will think they can provide the key.”

Sweeney was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Jack Flaherty trade last season. He hasn’t given the Tigers much, but he’s played a role for the time being.

Now, Detroit will have some top prospects cracking into the big leagues next season and they could take Sweeney’s place.

Even if the top prospects aren’t ready, the Tigers will need to upgrade from the infielder. He’s not showing enough promise to be a starter on a World Series contender.

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