With the Tigers (40-56) having dropped 19 of 23 to fall out of contention in the AL Central, they’re setting up as sellers as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches. And right-hander Michael Fulmer and right fielder Nicholas Castellanos, two above-average players who are under affordable team control past this season, stand out among the Tigers’ potential trade chips.
The 26-year-old Fulmer is the more valuable of the two, considering he’s a proven, in-his-prime starter who’s making a near-minimum salary this season and isn’t scheduled to become a free agent until after the 2022 campaign. Fulmer, who’s due to make his first trip through arbitration over the winter, has drawn wide interest in recent weeks, as his MLBTR page shows. As you’d expect, then, he’s not someone whom the Tigers are going to give up for an insignificant return. The belief is Detroit would want “an impact bat” back in order to deal Fulmer, according to Katie Strang of The Athletic (subscription required). Unsurprisingly, Strang suggests that hitter would need to be young – “within a year or two of reaching the major leagues,” Strang writes.
With the Yankees among teams interested in Fulmer, one of their young outfielders, Clint Frazier, could perhaps be part of a trade between them and the Tigers. Frazier, 23, has the potential to serve as a quality major league hitter, though playing time has been hard to come by in New York because of a crowded outfield which features the established quartet of Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks and Brett Gardner. Thanks to their presences, Frazier has totaled just 40 MLB plate appearances this year after racking up 142 a year ago. Further, with the possible exception of Gardner – who has a team option for 2019 – all of those players figure to start again for the Yankees next season. As such, the Yankees could cash in Frazier for a much-needed rotation upgrade – perhaps in the form of Fulmer.
The Tigers, for their part, are interested in both Frazier and teammate Tyler Wade, George A. King III of the New York Post reports. The 23-year-old Wade is versatile enough to play several positions, having lined up in the middle infield, at third base and at all three outfield spots in the minors. However, as with Frazier, there’s no clear path to playing time in New York for Wade – who has collected 114 big league PAs since 2017. In addition to their slew of capable outfielders, the Yankees have a set middle infield (second baseman Gleyber Torres and shortstop Didi Gregorius) and a potential long-term third baseman in Miguel Andujar (though he could be a trade chip if the Yankees upgrade at the hot corner with Manny Machado). That wealth of talent may help influence the Yankees to trade Wade, who was their 15th-ranked farmhand at Baseball America after last season.
Even though Frazier and Wade have piqued the Tigers’ interest, there’s no indication trade talks between them and the Yankees have gotten serious. In fact, New York hasn’t gone past the point of inquiring about Fulmer, per Marc Carig of The Athletic, who echoes Strang in noting the Tigers have placed a “high” asking price on him.
Castellanos, meanwhile, is “available,” Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets. An above-average hitter since 2016, the 26-year-old Castellanos is now enjoying a career season in which he has slashed an outstanding .306/.362/.523 with 15 home runs in 401 PAs. But despite that strong output – which, per FanGraphs’ wRC+ metric, has been 39 percent better than league average – there’s only “mild” interest in Castellanos, Strang writes. Teams are wary of Castellanos’ defensive shortcomings, Strang continues, after he struggled at third from 2014-17 and has been subpar across nearly 800 innings this year in right. In first extensive stint as an outfielder, Castellanos has posted a minus-5.2 Ultimate Zone Rating, minus-13 Defensive Runs Saved and a league-worst minus-16 Outs Above Average mark.
Despite his defensive questions, Castellanos could emerge as a major offensive piece for a contender if such a team acquires him in the next couple weeks. At $6.05MM, his 2018 salary doesn’t break the bank, and he still has another year of arbitration eligibility remaining. The Tigers reportedly had interest in handing him a contract extension after last season. No deal has come together, though, and thanks in part to that, Castellanos may be in the final weeks of his Detroit tenure.
scottstots
Brewers Trade Corbin Burnes, Domingo Santana and Corey Ray for Fulmer. Ray is having a good year after last year’s lackluster performance and was the 5th overall pick, Burnes is MLB ready and Santana is only a year removed from a 30 homer season.
Michael Chaney
That seems too light, especially since Santana doesn’t really have any value at the moment
SuperSinker
That seems light??
therealryan
I think it’s light for Fulmer who has 4.5 seasons of control. Switch out Santana with Huira and you’re getting warmer.
scottstots
Lol Hiura is a top 10 prospect Fulmer is at best a #2 starter. the Brewers wouldn’t even trade Hiura for Fulmer in a 1 for 1 trade.
bencole
Yeah Fulmer is a solid pitcher but as a Cubs fan I’d love for the Brewers to do that. Fulmer’s K rate isn’t that good, which suggests that his stuff isn’t crazy good. That doesn’t mean he can’t be a good pitcher, but the Tigers don’t even get a discussion about Hiura 1 for 1. I actually think the Burnes, Santana, Ray offer is a good estimate.
thecoffinnail
BenCole: Agreed. Fulmer also has a pretty extensive injury history. His great rookie season has led Tigers fans to believe his value is higher than it actually is. He has a late load delivery which is going to continue to cause him elbow problems into the future. Burnes, Santana, and Ray might be a little light but it is pretty close. Huira probably isn’t going to happen unless the Tigers add someone else. I like the proposed Frazier/Wade trade from the article (if that is what the author was hinting at) and I think if the Yankees added someone with starter potential like Sauer, the Tigers might make the deal. I am not sure Fulmer is the starter that the Yankees need but he still has a ton of control and I would rather see them give up Frazier for him instead of a pitcher like Happ, who is just a rental.
jackstigers 2
That’s laughable. The Brewers wouldn’t trade the 30th best prospect for a pitcher who will be making about the same money, and controlled for several years to come? Yeah, sure.
ray_derek
Santana will never come close to that HR again, it’s going to take a lot more than that to get controllable pitching. He’s under contract until 2022…lol
jdgoat
I don’t know if I’m ready to write off Santana yet. He always had big power numbers in the minors and I have to assume it’s got to be hard on him mentally after they brought in a whole new outfield after his breakout. His value is obviously low, but if I’m a team like the O’s or Tigers, I’d definitely take him with his potential upside. He showed what he can do with everyday AB’s last year.
Add in Woodruff and Phillips to that package and I think the Tigers would take it.
fisher40
Your dreaming. There is no way the Brewers trade their top pitching prospect
scottstots
so some people say this is way to light and some think it’s way to much… that probably means it’s in the realm of reasonable right?
Mattimeo09
Nope. It actually just means that no one on this site actually knows what they’re talking about, and that there’s a reason we’re not GMs
deeetroit1
No Fulmer trade is going to happen ..
southi
Castellanos certainly has the heavy stick, but unfortunately he has an iron glove as well. Unless a team wants a full time DH (or maybe plan on using him at first base some) I don’t see much interest in him at the moment.
Melchez
Rockies are always looking for controllable pitching and they have some decent young hitters… Fulmer and one of their top prospect pitchers (Perez?) for Brendan Rodgers and David Dahl. Heck, I’d even throw in Hicks if they wanted to dump Ian Desmond. Rockies have Story at short and Rodgers is close to being ready, that would give Detroit a young stud shortstop. After thinking about it… I would want at least another prospect if I’m taking on Desmond… maybe 1B Chad Spanberger? I’m open to negotiate….
Tigers have depth at starting pitching… 5 top 75 pitching prospects. Mize, Perez, Manning, Faedo, Burrows… plus some very good youngsters that may come close… Alexander, Funkhouser, Soto… They have some decent MLB ready guys… Zimmermann, Boyd, Hardy, Fiers. They have plenty of depth there. Trade from their surplus to get an OF and a top infielder.
SuperSinker
Try again
hiflew
Rodgers is not moving. He will be taking over second for DJ LeMahieu next season.
Although I could see a package of Raimel Tapia and Colton Welker along with a young pitcher that’s not going to work at Coors like Jeff Hoffman in a package for Fulmer and Alex Wilson.
thecoffinnail
hiflew: I am surprised more teams are not interested in Hoffman. He has been a decent albeit unspectacular pitcher on the road who gets absolutely abused when he pitches at Coors. He has a solid pitch arsenal and a high 1st round pedigree. With the cost of good young pitching being so high these days, teams like the Yankees and Red Sox should be offering solid prospects for someone like Hoffman. He has the tools to become that #2 the Yankees are searching for and would cost far less than someone like Fulmer. If the Yankees do trade for a rental like Hamels or Happ, I hope they also acquire someone like Hoffman, who would dramatically improve his stats by simply playing somewhere else for half of his games.
hiflew
If the Tigers are looking for hitting prospects, one location I could see Fulmer going would be the Reds. If the Reds are intent on keeping Scooter Gennett, I don’t really see them parting with Senzel for Fulmer, but I could see them offering 2 of Taylor Trammell, Shed Long, and Jose Siri. The Reds are flush with lots great hitting prospects, so losing them would barely be noticed. I could them packaging those two along with one of their young starters that is MLB ready, but not made a big league impact yet like Rookie Davis or Robert Stephenson or Cody Reed or even Brandon Finnegan. The Tigers gets two really good hitting prospects, an MLB starter with a ceiling of not quite Fulmer, but close. The Reds get a quality veteran controllable starter that they desperately need. For me, it would reminiscent of when Cole Hamels went to the Rangers when no one expected them to be buyers. They ended up getting hot and going on a playoff run anyway.
I could see the Reds doing something similar to the 2009 Rockies when Clint Hurdle was fired in May with a poor record and Jim Tracy took over and led them to the Wild Card. They might not make it this year, but the majority of the team is signed for next year and the momentum for 2019 would be great.
PopeMarley
Why on God’s green earth would the Reds part with Trammel?
redsfan48
I wouldn’t part with Trammell for Fulmer (and obviously not Senzel either). If I was going to trade Trammell, it would have to be for DeGrom or Syndergaard. But if they can start with Long and Siri and add another prospect or two for Fulmer, I’d be all for it.
PopeMarley
Boy that would be tough either way. I’m really excited to see Greene an Trammel in the futures game tomorrow.
hiflew
Because Trammell is just a OF prospect and they have several of them along with 4 current big league starting OFs. OF prospects are not really that hard to come by now. For that matter, neither are big league outfielders. If you can move an outfield prospect for a #1 or #2 starter, do it. It’s not like Trammell is the #1 prospect or anything. He is in the mid 30s.
hiflew
Too slow on the edit. What I was trying to add was this.
The Reds OF at the big league level over the next few years is probably set. Jesse Winker will be there for 5 years at least. One of Adam Duvall and Scott Schebler will take another spot for a few years. The third spot is probably going to be a converted Jose Peraza when they bring up Senzel to take short. If not Peraza, the Reds would still have Phil Ervin, Jose Siri (I wouldn’t think the Tigers would want Trammell and Siri), and three other top 15 team prospects in Fairchild, Aquino, and Friedl. The Reds are STOCKED at the OF position both in the bigs and in the minors. They do not have a #1 or #2 controllable starter like Fulmer and you are not going to get him for scraps. A #1 or #2 starter is far more valuable than just about any OF prospect.
redsfan48
But Trammell is the most likely to be a superstar, 5-tool outfielder. And there’s no way Peraza ends up in CF.
hiflew
If they have Scooter at second and Suarez at third and Votto at first, either Peraza or Senzel are going to have to move to the OF or be traded.
hiflew
That may be true about Trammell, but teams don’t give away young controllable starters like Fulmer for 4th outfielders and long relievers.
ThePriceWasRight
andujar, Frazier and whitlock for fulmer
yanks02026
Lol
dust44
Frazier and a low level guy is about the right price. If ur giving up Andujar AND Frazier it better b for Thor and another young arm
rocky7
Agree, with Fulmer exactly who are you getting….the guy who is having difficulties presently or the pitcher who flashed that he has potential for being a top to middle rotation guy.
Given that the Yankees Sonny Gray acquisition hasn’t worked out very well….they need to be careful as to who is included in this potential trade…..wouldn’t give up both Andujar and Frazier….would only give up one with a lower level guy.
Either with Wade would be off the table also…..Fulmer is showing to be a 4+ERA guy who need bullpen help aound the 5-6th inning…..upgrade over Gray who is the same except he needs bullpen help in the 4-5th inning.
mikeyank55
Your name is misleading.
The priceisnotright
RedSox4Life4ever
No it’s not because it’s past tense lol
stymeedone
Tiger’s have depth at 2b/3b. Goodrum and Candelario look solid, with more depth on the minors. Andujar holds no value to them. I think the smart move is to build around Fuller. That the Tigers chose to put his face on all their programs and ads leads me to believe there were no plans to shop him. Doesn’t mean he can’t be traded, but start with your best hitting prospect if you’re serious. The 2nd or 3rd isn’t going to do it.
aussiegiants53
Fulmer is going to take a lot to get, but pitching needy teams should be jumping at the opportunity to pick him up, the Tigers should be looking for any top prospects regardless of position
rocky7
Whoa….Fulmer taking a lot to get…..are you getting the current Fulmer, or the past Fulmer in a trade…..who knows…..which should dumb down the return.
Melchez
The current Michael Fulmer… the one that’s WAR rating is 22nd in the AL for starting pitcher. That’s right, the only Yankee listed ahead of him is Severino. He is rated slightly ahead of CC. Not too bad for having a mediocre season. Imagine if he had an offense and a solid bullpen?
xfloydsterx
Fulmer is unpredictable. I don’t see why any team would trade for him.
Disco Dave
pitching is predictable with maybe, what…
2%?
not a valid point
rocky7
It is a valid point Dance Fever!….the Yankees have to make a “now” move with respect to the rotation and Fulmer hasn’t shown anything “now” to make anyone believe his issues are a short term thing. The Yankees don’t need another question mark in the rotation.
Melchez
Who would you trade for? Sherzer? Sale?
hiflew
Every one of these prospects being discussed are also unpredictable. The difference is that Fulmer has actually had success at the big league level before.
natelowda2
I would like to see what an offer from St. Louis would be for both of these guys.
blackstain
going to take a lot to get fulmer because of the 4 years of control. he is a beast when he is on. tigers need bats and position players. i could see this trade getting it done because its going to be a 4 for 1. frazier, wade or estrada, adams (pitcher) and mickinney would be a good return for both teams. yankees not paying big prices with prospects or hamstringing farm system and tigers getting useful players for a barren system.
rocky7
4 years of control for a pitcher who lasts 5-6 innings and has a 4+ERA isn’t a beast in my books…..and when exactly will this guy “by on”?
4 for 1 isn’t going to happen from the Yankees for a question mark…..can’t bank on the future like the Yankees did with Sonny Gray!
Maybe if Gray had proven to be at least dependable to go 6 and not get shelled by all the better teams….beating Baltimore doesn’t show anything…against Houston or Boston he would get his ass kicked in quickly and the bullpen would be taking over in the 3rd. If they do pick up a pitcher its got to be someone who could potentially slot into the 3-4 hole in the rotation…..big question as to whether Fulmer is that guy.
Hate to say it but if the Yanks do something it has to be a “now” move in the rotation.
Matthew C
I could actually see the yankees doing a 3-1 deal similar to the gray trade. Something like devi Garcia, frazier and a not top 30 prospect for him. Good value for both teams. A starter prospect or 2 plus an immediate OF starter for a decent not great pitcher under control. Makes sense for both teams tbh.
stymeedone
Doesn’t make sense for the Tigers. Fulmer has more value than that. If 22nd in WAR is his floor, it will take a lot more to acquire 4 years of control.
Tigers1987
The Tigers do not have a barren system. Lacking position prospects? Yes. But the Tigers have a mid tier system.
MetsYankeesRedSox
Pounce Yankees…..pounce!
GarryHarris
Whenever Detroit sports radio hosts speak about Baseball, it reinforces the well known fact that they are empty! The Tigers want high ceiling IFs and SPs. A package with Tyler Wade will not get Michael Fulmer.
I understand that the Yankees expect Clint Frazier to play LF full time next season in place of Brett Gardner.
A package with Abiatal Avelino and Jonathan Loasigna might get Fulmer. Certainly not waiver wire trash Drury, Walker and Wade.
Melchez
Might get Brad Fullmer for that package. LOL
spartan-i7
Tigers should check on the availability of Robles in Washington or Kyle Lewis in Seattle. I don’t believe Robles is as untouchable as he once was considered, especially for a trade involving a controllable young starter such as Fulmer.
Bruin1012
The Tigers have four more years of control on Fulmer there is no reason for them to take anything less then a Kings ransom. If the Tigers are blown they will trade him but otherwise they will just wait they have nothing but time.
Priggs89
Am I the only one that sees Fulmer as a middling #2 that’s probably closer to a #3 than a #1 in any decent rotation…?
I think that’s obviosuly still valuable, especially when you factor in the years of control, but I don’t think anyone should give up a ridiculous package for him.
Matthew C
Hes exactly the same as Gray was with slightly worse stats but more control. Question is if he can pitch in NY vs what sonny has done.
southpaw2153
Royals won a WS with less starting pitching than the Yankees have now. I’d take Fulmer, but not for a ridiculous price. Frazier and one other prospect, at most. If not, move on. There will be some pitching available in free agency this winter. Yankees could win with the SP and bullpen they have.
jleve618
I’d take the 5 the royals had going into the playoffs playing the way they were over the yankees current 5 playing the way they are.
stymeedone
If that’s the offer, please, move on.
heathz917
Fulmer would easily become the number 2 starter in that Yankees rotation. Give him a bullpen and their bullpen and he could be what puts them over the top. He had a bad start but he’s been pitching well lately and most of his losses have been by 3 runs or less. He keeps even the Tigers in the ballgame and that’s saying something. The Tigers want a major league ready bat. Or someone close. If not Frazier, they need to try and pry Florial from NY. Regardless of his down year, his velocity hasn’t decreased and he’s never been a big strikeout guy so don’t look too far into those. He may not warrant a Chris Sale-like return, but he’ll get something close. The Tigers don’t necessarily need top pitching prospects, but it wouldn’t hurt to acquire more. Their focus should be on young bats, either IF or OF. I wouldn’t be opposed to a catching prospect either.
Megadro2000
Lol Wade and Frazier isn’t even enough. Frazier and adujar get the talks started
stymeedone
Again, no need for Andujar on the Tigers. Frasier, Sheffield, and Wade sounds workable (though I don’t understand the interest in Wade).
thecoffinnail
stymeedone: Sheffield is MLB ready and a lefty. You are dreaming if you think he is going to be traded for Fulmer.
Fulmer was worth a Sheffield/Frazier type of return at last years deadline. but he has definitely lost value in that year. Cross your fingers and hope for a Frazier/Wade/Abreu/German return but be ready for an actual Frazier/Wade/Tate return.
Rightout
fulmer is the best pitcher on the market other the syndergard….degrom isnt going anywhere,,hamels archer and the rest are garbage….i think fulmer does get traded ny would give up frazier andujar and tate…once they trade for manny……but dont count out dodgers…could see a bidding war for fullmer once all the dust settles….milw… will choke and not make a big trade again and settle for a 2nd tier pitcher …… should be fun….i expect tigers to move fiers lariano iglisias …hope to move green and wilson…and pray they can get what they want for nick and fullmer….boyd could be interesting for a team also…..i m rooting for yankees cause i cant stand boston clev and aj hinch is so annoying….so go yankees and give us a ton for fullmer…..the yankees cant win a championship with out adding a good starter
steelerbravenation
How are these 2 guys not Braves right now.
If they are looking to move them or are willing to move them if the price is right then we can Trump any package I have seen without even giving up a top 5 prospect.
I just read a report that they want Frazier & Wade for Fulmer.
Tigers1987
that report only stated the Tigers like those two players. Not that they would be the guys they want for Fulmer. The Tigers have said time and again they want to be blown away to trade Fulmer. They won’t settle for less with 4 years of control.
stymeedone
Castellanos has one more year of control, and extension talks went nowhere last off-season. I understand why he would be available. Fulmer is a piece you build around. The Tiger’s last rebuild took 3 years. They’re already have more talent than they started with last time. They have room to spend. Trading Fulmer without an overwhelming return makes no sense, because it would delay the rebuild, and unlike Big market teams, the Tigers need good attendance to compete. They don’t want a lengthy rebuild. Mr. I didn’t worry about the bottom line. His family does.
GarryHarris
Often times, when an opposing team rallies, the defense of Nick Castellanos has been a factor.
Dustin Michels
Sheffield and Florial package for Fulmer is the price. If New York balks so be it tell them to move onto Happ. New York and fans want their cake and eat it too and that will not work for Detroit. Frazier is a nice player but I am not sold on upside and his clock has already started which does not lineup perfectly with Tigers rebuild timeline, Wade is a third piece in any deal.
thecoffinnail
Compare these stats and tell me if you would trade 2 top 40 prospects for either of them. Both have the same amount of team control remaining.
ERA 4.11 FIP 4.04 Whip 1.267 H/9 8.4 K/9 7.6 BB/9 3.0 HR/9 1.0 regressing
ERA 4.76 FIP 4.27 Whip 1.210 H/9 7.6 K/9 8.0 BB/9 3.3 HR/9 1.1 improving
I wouldn’t give up 2 top 40 prospects in all of baseball for either of them. Especially, if I expected them to step into the #2 spot in the rotation on one of the best teams in baseball. The first one is Fulmer and the second is Boyd.
ShieldF123
And people call Yankees fans delusional?
What part of Michael Fulmer is worth the best two prospects in the Yankees’ system? This is laughable. Fulmer has regressed from last year, and last year he regressed from his rookie year.
He’s got a FIP over 4, his WHIP has risen a large amount this year, and he’s never even broken 170 IP. The guy is a middle to back end starter, not a 1 or 2. The only reason Frazier is even in the conversation is that he had a good rookie year and he’s controllable for 4 years.
Rj_mcquay
Nick Castellanos would be a great fit for Cleveland
Steve Lawrence
Fulmer is coming off a surgery. He’ll be stronger next year. Det is not going to trade him for less than a couple hi prospects, and teams are not likely to gamble top prospects due to his current season. So I don’t expect him to get traded this year, and Det has no urgency to make a trade. Castellanos is more valuable to Det than another team. I hope he stays put.