Amidst the impending MLB trade deadline chaos, there is one known for the Detroit Tigers: Gleyber Torres wants Eugenio Suárez.
The Arizona Diamondbacks' third baseman remains the hottest commodity on the market, and it should be a matter of hours before he is dealt to a contender.
Torres and Suárez have already shared the field for Team Venezuela at the World Baseball Classic, and the slugger would fill some major holes for the Tigers. The price will be high, with teams such as the New York Yankees involved.
But, there are also reports that the Yankees will not trade for Suárez, and that could potentially open a path for other teams.
Here is what Torres, who used to call New York home, had to say about Suárez, via Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press:
"If he comes here at some point, it's going to be awesome," Torres said. "He treats people the right way. He's easy to talk to. He always wants to help the players. It would be a really, really good addition for us."
"I think he's a better person than player," Torres added. "I have a really good relationship with him. He is a humble guy, an awesome person. I've known him for many years. Our relationship is really good."
Suárez, 34, is the exact player Detroit needs. He is batting .248 with an .898 OPS, a 143 OPS+, 36 home runs, a Majors-leading 87 RBIs, albeit a devastating 29:116 BB:K ratio. Utility man Zach McKinstry has been phenomenal at third this year and was recognized as an All-Star.
But, adding Suárez would give them another dangerous bat along with McKinstry, Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene, and Torres. The infield defensive configuration would be a bit clustered, with a possible McKinstry to shortstop and Javier Baéz to the outfield switch necessary.
Regardless of how the Tigers line up, Suárez is too valuable at the plate to ignore. The American League is also wide open, and there is no reason Detroit, behind this injured yet still formidable staff, can not compete.