The Detroit Tigers, in the middle of a great season, are looking to upgrade various parts of the Major League roster. With a clear need at third base, they do have an internal option, though, after his performance this year, his time in Detroit might be coming to an end.
In an article from Clay Snowden of Just Baseball, he is urging the Tigers to move on from third baseman Jace Jung. His struggles at the plate and the looming need at third make Jung a potential change-of-scenery trade candidate.
“This season, he showed improved defense at third, but ultimately, the Tigers were too good to let him get much run.” Snowden writes. “He’s closer to a three-true outcome player, but a lefty bat who will be 25 years old all of next year with first-round pedigree should have some teams interested in acquiring him for a relief pitcher or something of that nature.”
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While Snowden’s prediction for what Jung could get is more of a guess, it’s likely true that teams around baseball would be interested in taking a chance on the former 2022 first-round pick.
His stint in the Major Leagues this season didn’t go well. In 45 at-bats across 18 games, Jung hit just .111 with a .356 OPS. He was much better a year ago during his stint, but he was still below-average as a hitter.
The struggles from Jung, combined with the Tigers looking to add a third baseman, make his chances of making a return to the big leagues slim. Instead of keeping him in the minors, the Tigers should try to land some value in return.
Whether Jung lands a solid return for Detroit or not, Snowden wants the Tigers to move on from the former first-round pick. Jung hasn’t lived up to the potential in his brief stints in the Majors, and with the team competing now, trading him for immediate help would be a better use of resources than keeping him in the minor leagues.
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