There’s an adage in some circles that “parades are cooler than prospects,” and while Spencer Torkelson is no longer a possibility, it may be time for a new candidate. Detroit Tigers pay attention.

The Tigers selected Torkelson with the first-round pick of the 2020 MLB draft, and the first baseman would make his Major League debut just two years later. Since his debut, he has struggled to find consistent success in the field, batting just .221/.300/.392 with 49 home runs, 159 RBIs and a 94 OPS+ in 1,469 plate appearances in 361 plate appearances.

While an argument could be made that more consistent playing time at the Major League level could have helped solve Torkelson’s problems, Detroit made the postseason this year for the first time since 2014. If they intend to do this again in 2025, it may be possible. It’s time to find another answer.

As fate would have it, there is a veteran first baseman who will become a free agent this winter. He has provided consistent power and Gold Glove defense over the last three years and his name is Christian Walker.

Over the last three years, Walker batted .250/.332/.481 with 95 home runs, 281 RBIs and a 123 OPS+ in 1,880 plate appearances in 447 plate appearances. 2024 was the only year of the three in which he failed to hit 30 or more home runs, though he might have reached that total had a strained left oblique muscle not kept him on the shelf for more than a month.

Walker remained a consistent presence in the middle of the game. Arizona Diamondbacks staff for the better part of a decade. However, he did see an improvement late in his career, including a tremendous increase in his defensive ability.

The veteran has made 39 Outs above average over the last three years. Baseball MasterEven though he only played 130 games, including 13 this year. His 13 Outs Above Average this year placed him in the 97th percentile in all of MLB rankings, the second-best mark among all first basemen.

While Torkelson wasn’t anywhere near Walker’s offensive production levels, he was also much worse defensively, but he wasn’t exactly “bad.” Torkelson earned an Above Average rating this year, placing him in the 70th percentile in MLB and ranking 14th among first basemen.

Walker didn’t break the bank for the Tigers, either. spotrac The veteran is expected to sign a three-year, $66.2 million deal for an AAV of just over $22 million. The team’s payroll lists Javier Baez as making $25 million in 2025, and their next closest pick is an $11 million arbitration pick for Tarik Skubal.

Trading Torkelson might be the best course of action for Detroit and the young slugger. This would give Torkelson a change of scenery where the pressure to be the No. 1 overall pick would be immense and give the Tigers a way to move forward at the position with a proven veteran.

With four months left in the offseason, it’s now just a waiting game to see what Detroit decides to do at the position.