Rebuilding Tigers Ponder Trades

With two weeks until the trade deadline, Tiger fans are wondering which of their favorites will be changing uniforms in August.  MLB Trade Rumors released their top 60 trade targets and we see four Tigers on that list — three in the top 10.   

Nick Castellanos is ranked 8th on that list.  The 27 year old has put together several quality seasons at the bat, and continues to improve in the field. Castellanos, who is making just a skosh under $10 million this year, is a free agent after the season, so he’d be a rental.   No team is going to give up a top prospect for him, but plenty of teams could use his bat.

Matthew Boyd and Shane Greene are hovering in the top 10 too.  

Greene, a former starter, has really become a dominant closer, and could be a major addition down the stretch for playoff bound teams, as a closer or setup man.  Green has saved 22 games, and amazing total for a non-contending team,  and has a stingy 1.06 ERA.  He was the lone Tiger on the All Star Team, and probably the best player the Tigers have this season. 

Boyd is among the leaders in strikeouts in the majors, and keeps improving each season.   The Yankees, Phillies, Braves, Astros and Rays have all been scouting him. But Boyd could also be a valuable starter for the Tigers for several years and General Manager Al Avila will be asking for one or two top-notch hitting prospects, something he doesn’t currently have in the farm system.

Another trade-piece being discussed is Joe Jimenez, who many think could become a closer.  So far, he’s struggled, but has a great arm. 

Not including the six division leaders, there are at least a dozen teams with a shot at making the playoffs.   One difference this year is that there’s only one trade deadline. Teams need to pull the trigger by 4pm on July 31st, or stand pat with what they have.