Tigers Acquire Infielder Tsung-Che Cheng in Offseason Trade with Red Sox

The Detroit Tigers completed a minor offseason trade on October 30, acquiring middle infielder Tsung-Che Cheng from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations. This move fits the pattern of the Tigers' recent approach under baseball operations president Scott Harris and general manager Jeff Greenberg, who often make strategic, low-profile additions while managing the 40-man roster.

Cheng, 25, is a left-handed hitter who plays shortstop and second base. Originally signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019, he has since moved through several organizations, including the Rays, Mets, Nationals, and Red Sox, often via waiver claims. He made his major league debut with the Pirates in 2025 but saw limited action before joining Boston, where he recorded his first MLB hit in June 2026.

During the 2026 season, Cheng appeared in 14 games for Boston, batting .256 with five RBIs. He spent most of the year with Triple-A Worcester, posting a .241 average with eight home runs and 30 RBIs over 94 games. Notably, Cheng also played alongside Tigers infielder Hao-Yu Lee on the Chinese Taipei roster in the recent World Baseball Classic, contributing with solid plate discipline and base-stealing.

With eight players currently on Detroit's 60-day injured list, the team must clear roster spots by early November. Acquiring Cheng before potential waiver claims allows the Tigers to have an additional infield option, likely serving as organizational depth. The front office faces decisions on how to open space on the 40-man roster, including the possibility of removing Cheng if necessary.