Detroit Tigers 2025: Why Trading Spencer Torkelson Would Be A Huge Mistake – (Opinion)
Photo Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Tigers are heading into 2025 with serious optimism. After having a great second half of the season in 2024, making the playoffs, and finishing one win short of the ALCS, Detroit will not be taken lightly this season.
As of this post, the Tigers have signed two big names over the off-season, relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle and 2nd baseman Gleyber Torres. The two former Yankees will now call Motown home. These two moves are great and should only help the Tigers in their quest to win the AL Central in 2025 and hopefully make a march to the ALCS and beyond.
Detroit also had what I like to call a very “odd moment” this offseason. It came hours after the Tigers announced that they signed Torres.
That’s when Tigers’ President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris announced the team’s plans on the right side of the infield in the wake of the Torres signing.
Harris said that 2nd baseman Colt Keith will move to first in 2025, making way for Torres to be the full-time second baseman. (Listen to the first 1:30 of the tweet below.)
Wait, what? Doesn’t that spot belong to Spencer Torkelson?
First off, why is Harris making such a statement? Second, talk about tipping your hand. So the Tigers are now moving a player to first base, who has NEVER played the position? And it is to replace a No. 1 draft pick – who is just 25-years-old?
If the Tigers were/are planning on moving on from 1st baseman Spencer Torkelson, they sure started the process very poorly.
Tork’s upside is still at an incredibly high level in my opinion. Yes, he has struggled at times, and last season was nothing to write home about. Torkelson played in 110 games in 2024 and finished with just 10 home runs and 37 RBI, while hitting .219.
Still, the Tigers are giving the strong impression by having Harris announce this move so quickly – and at a pretty bizarre time – that Colt Keith will be moving to 1st base in 2025 and Spencer Torkelson is now on the block.
Giving up on one of the best hitters in college history after three seasons is ludicrous.
I mean, that must be what they are planning to do, right? Why else would Harris make such a statement?
Let’s not forget that Tork had a very good second season in 2023. While his average was just .233, Torkelson hit 31 homers, and drove in 94 runs. These numbers, plus a chance to start the season healthy, make me believe that Torkelson is poised for a great 2025 season.
Last but far from least, if the Keith move to first is taking place, does this mean the Tigers think Torres will stay beyond 2025?
Remember, the Tigers signed Torres to a one-year deal – and their track record on one-year deals has been a flop of late. They get fans excited by inking players like Michael Lorenzen, Gio Urshela, and Jack Flaherty, just to deal them away before the season is complete.
I may be alone on an island with this one, but giving up on Spencer Torkelson right now is a flat-out mistake.
