The Tigers are currently ten games under .500 with a 40-50 record. Despite that reality, the club is in third place in an exceptionally weak AL Central division, just five games back of the division-leading Twins. The club has managed to look competitive at various points this season, with a 16-11 record in May and, more recently, a 14-13 record since snapping a nine-game skid on June 12th. Detroit has also begun to get healthy in recent weeks, with outfielder Riley Greene, right-hander Matt Manning, and lefties Eduardo Rodriguez and Tarik Skubal each coming off the injured list in recent weeks after an extended absence.
With the club approaching full strength, the division within reach, and stretches of success in the first half, it seems that president of baseball operations Scott Harris isn’t quite ready to throw in the towel on the 2023 campaign. In conversation with 97.1 The Ticket, Harris noted that he remains open to the possibility of avoiding a mid-season sell-off if the team gets hot in the final two weeks ahead of the trade deadline on August 1.
“If we get hot out of the break, it’s going to change our approach to the trade deadline.” Harris said Thursday, “We are going to be responsive to the way the team is playing heading into the deadline and we’re going to try to make the best decisions we can for the organization.”
While that’s hardly a strong declaration of intent, the fact that the Tigers are even considering not selling at the deadline leaves the door open for a major shakeup to the market this trade season. With an unusually small number of clear sellers, the Tigers have found a handful of their players at the center of trade buzz all throughout the season. Indeed, MLBTR’s list of the Top 50 Deadline Trade Candidates featured each of Michael Lorenzen (#9), Rodriguez (#12), Jose Cisnero (#28), and Alex Lange (#43).
Should Detroit decide to hold onto that group of coveted arms, that could drive up demand for the arms available on other expected sellers, such as Lucas Giolito of the White Sox and Jack Flaherty of the Cardinals. It’s also possible that a dearth of proper sellers could encourage trades of established major league players between contenders to address needs on both teams. While such deals are typically rare, they still happen on occasion; the Harrison Bader for Jordan Montgomery one-for-one swap between St. Louis and the New York one year ago is perhaps the most recent example.
Even if the Tigers decide not to sell at the deadline, it seems unlikely that they would spend significant prospect capital to add a rental bat like Tommy Pham or Cody Bellinger to address the club’s offense, which ranks bottom three in the majors with a wRC+ of just 86. That being said, if Harris and the rest of the front office feel they’re close enough to contention to consider holding onto short-term assets, they could look to improve the club’s offense by pursuing players with club control remaining after the 2023 campaign. Speculatively speaking, Cardinals outfielder Tyler O’Neill or Arizona infielder Josh Rojas could be the sort of multi-year acquisition that could make sense for the club to look into if they decide to pursue a division title in the second half.
Or maybe Harris is just “jawboning,” suggesting he might not sell as a way of driving up the price of players he might be willing to sell.
Yep. Detroit hasn’t been a contender since Dave the “Dom” was running things.
Absolutely correct – Angels, Tigers and Royals are the only three teams under .500 each year since 2018. Time to do something different.
Probably. That and giving the fans something. But I also think he is being honest. It is pretty easy to sell guys like E-Rod and Lorenzen if you are still 10 games under .500 going into the deadline. Close that gap significantly and it gets a lot harder. It also becomes near impossible to deal anyone else.
@For Love of the Game: Jawboning is a great word.
Jawboning is a sequelae of elbow-bending with muckrakers.
I wish we changed are philosophy as an organization. Just keep building, keep winning every game and stop selling. Our payroll is nothing right now, invest now in players before the offseason and give Michigan fans a winner and we will come to the park. That is how we move forward, never give up on a season.
Or…just hoodwinking those poor slobs we call…….
Tiger fans
This happens every year. You guys are known for it…..every year…..Al didn’t sell…because we had a hot streak….beat the Royals, Pirates and the As……”We’re going to the WS”……
It’s possible….I suppose.
Detroit has done a decent job of drafting pitching but I think they need to change how they are drafting hitters because right now everyone they draft sucks.
1st rounder Riley Greene (2019), 19th rounder (2019) Kerry Carpenter, and Colt Keith (5th rounder, 2020) say “hello.” But, yes, there is some work to do. Torkelson, I’m looking at you.
Tork hit reallycm well in June and has kept that going in July. I think he’s turned a corner.
You have to include Baez when you are looking at under performers and people who need work
What a waste he is, can’t hit at all and thinks he is something special
He closes his eyes and doesn’t look at the ball at all when swinging, a high school kid could hit better than him
Trade him or cut him ,Tigers have lots of other players who can take his place in the field and do just as well as he does and actually HIT the ball
What a waste and LOUSY deal he was
Only realistic trade options might be to swap bad contracts or attach a good prospect to him and suck up some of his salary. At least he is playing good defence this year.
Has a most awesome cattle ranch if FL.
Probably, could care less about anything.
He’s already made good.
You could not have much higher goals.than he HAS ALREADY MET.
I say that because ,yes, I am more than a little jealous….a ranch in Fl….millions of dollars….
I am sure no one enjoys not playing well.
Tork starting to find his groove. Could be looking at a 25/80 plus this season and that could be just the start. It’ll be interesting to see what Harris does after Miggys contract comes off the books
I’m not willing to say that for certain. The main person in question is Torkelson. He’s definitely lost some shine from his 1-1 pick (that most pundits agreed on him being the best hitter). However, it’s important to note that he’s still quite young, and he’s had nearly 0 protection in that lineup due to injuries and just poor play.
I’m not optimistic, but things are still too early to essentially call recent draft picks busts in my opinion.
I think Tork will be fine. You’re right that he’s just 23. His exit velo is in the top 95th percentile. He plays Gold Glove quality first base. He just needs to elevate the ball a bit, especially low pitches. I’m seeing signs he is doing that, just not consistently.
In all fairness, Avila and Company were desperate to put a winner out there which lead to a lot of poor decisions (Baez Deal, Paredes trade) and yes, rushing Tork to the majors. He didn’t get a 2020 minor league season and he was rushed through the minors in 2021. Avila and Company didn’t allow the cake to bake. Give him time, he is showing signs, hitting the ball consistently hard.
Shut the hell up
Erm, I was told the Tigers don’t care about winning since they drafted a high schooler
they wont be angling for any short-term victories this deadline, i can assure you of that.
I like the draft move. Clark is a high upside guy and they already have a bunch of young developing outfielders either with the team or in Toledo. A player like Langford would have added to that mix in a couple years. Clark will take a little longer and has more overall tool potential than Langford. However, Greene got there in about 3 years and Keith is knocking on the door, so we will see. The intriguing questions are can the new regime sign and then
develop all of the high school guys better than they could develop in 3 years of college ball?
Harris hasn’t treated this team as Avila would have. There would have been more emphasis on this year due to pressure, which Harris has none in his first year. Their would have been more faith in the players currently here, because Avila knew them better and acquired them. Candelario may not have been cut, and Chaffin may not have opted out. He may also have signed different FAs and made different trades. Since he’s spending the rest of the year on the IL, I’m sure he would have also signed Boyd as a FA, cuz that was his luck with signing pitchers.
Harris is wanting to build his own team and is looking 4 years down the road.
They probably should give the rebuild the rest of this year.
The Tigers are a mess. Baez has a 582 OPS. And he’s second on the team in total bases. Getting Cabreras money off the books after this year will help. But Rodriguez is going to opt out. They probably should clean house and try again in a few years.
Clean house of what exactly? Assuming trade or opt out of Erod the only contract on the books next year is Baez. There’s nothing to clean. Realistically you can add a lot as long as you take a good look at some of our young guys and see what sticks.
Skubal, Mize and Lange. I dont think the Tigers are going to contend the next couple years. I would trade those guys and wait for the high schooler they just drafted and the high school pitcher they drafted I think it was last year or year before.
The offense simply isn’t good enough. Not even close.
Not gonna get anything reasonable for Mize until he proves healthy. If Skubal stays healthy, he has a chance to be a Cy Young caliber pitcher. I’d let both of those cakes bake a little more for sure. Now, I can get on the trading Lange bus, however, his last month may have hurt his trade return value.
What’s reasonable? My Cardinals could use Mize methinks. What would be reasonable to you? Ivan Herrera is a good catcher he’s probably available. 1 for 1 maybe.
Yea I’m not opposed necessarily to trading those 3. This doesn’t seem to be the year to do it seeing as Skubal and Mize are coming off injury/ still injured, and Lange has blown a lot of his trade value recently
The offense sucks
We’re not trading Skubal. Mize with his injury imo would have to pitch successfully in return to amount any kind of value. Lange I would say listen and then decide if the return is worthy
This is not the year, but next year is. Trade ERod rather than lose him for nothing. The young pitching will be healthy & ready next year; full healthy years for Tork & Riley; guys like Keith can win jobs with the team.
Yah definitely can’t lose Erod for nothing and Harris will definitely ensure we get a very nice return to help our club for future. I wouldn’t mind keeping Lorenzen around and extending him for 2-3 years just to help solidify that rotation next season with Skubal, Manning, Olsen, Mize, and possibly Turnbull. Then again, if the return on Lorenzen is too good to turn down, have to consider it.
“Clean house of what exactly”….Interesting insight, I wouldn’t have known that since I don’t catch the Tigers very often. That’s why I come to “Trade Rumors”, to learn about the 22 or so teams that I don’t watch regularly. I’m hopeful that Tork & Mize will be fine and be the cornerstones of the next contending Tigers team.
I turned a corner mentally today. I had been rooting against Baez for no reason. Now I officially would like him to succeed. With me and all other Tiger faithful sending him good juju, he’ll be doinking that OPS up to 650 in no time.
Baez is one player. They are test driving what they have to see who sticks for next year. They have a wave of young guys due for promotion next year (Malloy, Keith, P. Meadows, Lipcius) and can fill the other holes via trade (either at the deadline or offseason) or FA signings.
Their pitching is fine, other than the fact they’ve had their whole projected starting rotation injured. They don’t NEED Erod, and whether they push to contend for the central title or not they should deal off him and Lorenzen for the right price. Rentals or not I think the price for pitching at the deadline will be as high as it has ever been with all the teams hanging around. Lots of team, even non-playoff teams like your Cards, need pitching and will have to either develop their own or shell out prospects or young MLB players for it.
No rebuild needed.
IF Texas had any sense or awareness…. they would trade for Kerry Carpenter, and make.him.their TEAM CAPTAIN.
He would be perfect.
And they are expected to do big things.
It would.be good for Kerry.
It’s kinda selfish to NOT make.that happen for.him.
They would.have to give a lot.to.get him. If they know him, they will love him.
Then they say, well, why not the Tigers’ team Captain…..
I, for one, would enjoy hearing Mr. Carpenter speak in World Series Champion setting…..
I really don’t think it would require “significant prospect capital” to acquire Tommy Pham or Cody Bellinger.
In a sellers market it’s gonna cost you something decent for either player, since both are having good years and are currently hot. I could see the Mets and Cubs offering 1-2 yr extensions to both players if they don’t get strong offers. Just one fans opinion.
Na. Maybe for pitchers, but there are plenty of OFs available.
Would like to see the Mets hold onto Pham and get Bellinger too next year and have an OF of Pham, Nimmo and Bellinger, I would love for the Mets to trade Marte lol.
I agree with you that rental pitchers are going to cost more than rental OF’ers. We have pitching to sell. I think they could look at someone like Bellinger as a test drive as well. If he plays well and looks like he has turned a corner make a push to sign him long term, IF there is mutual interest. Young player with a good track record beyond those last couple years in LA.
Everyone talks about getting O’Neal, but he’s had 1 good year! Nothing before or since, we just dumped Schoop who had 1 really good year! Buyers beware
The Detroit Tigers look like a pretty good team now without doing anything. Harris gave the system a pretty good bill of health with the draft. Meadows, Keith, and Malloy on the farm with only Miguel’s spot to be open next year. If Maton can play second and hit like yesterday he’s going to be around next year too. The Tigers opened 2-11 then went 0-9 when Greene and Carpenter were out. They are 39-30 without those two events.
The Tigers could send both E rod, and Lorenzen to one team, and get some of those coveted 18-19 yo that Harris is building. Harris is holding some pretty good cards. The team has great pitching again this year, and it’ll only get better going forward as guys keep returning. Kerry Carpenter is the most exciting player Detroit’s had in decades. You don’t want to miss one of his A B’s.
Teams should have Harris phone number on speed dial, and be willing to part with good guys in the farm, like say Houston. Lorenzen and E rod can right a staff instantly.
Agree except the Carpenter comment. He’s developing into a very good player, maybe even excellent. But Cabrera in his prime a decade ago was a much better player than Carpenter will ever be.
We all like Miguel, and he owes a lot to Jimmy Leyland too. That first few games in Detroit when he stumbled over the umpire at third base, a lot fans said oh god, is he drunk ? Leyland straighten him out and parked him at first base, and the rest is history.
Kerry was 19th round pick, and he’s older. Carpenter is like a left hand hitting J.D Martinez. Self made hitting style and hes rocking. Carpenter is going to anchor this line up for a very long time. He can’t be compared to a hall of fame player, but he’s exciting to watch. 17 home runs in his first 80 games is nothing to disparage him about. The Tigers are fun to watch, and hes one of the big reasons why.
Carpenter’s hitting style isn’t self made. It’s the product of Richard Schneck, the same trainer that turned Aaron Judge into a big time slugger. Launch quickness.
Well said. Carpenter has even showed better skills in the OF this year. The cupboard is pretty bare in Houston but their state rivals Texas have some interesting prospects like Foscue and Leiter that might be had for some of our startingvand relief pitching. Foscue is blocked but hitting well and I’d like to see Fetter get ahold of Leiter and fix whatever is ailing him. Unlike most I like Rocker as well and would be very happy if we could scoop him. Starter or power arm for the back end of the bullpen. Texas is motivated to win this year.
I like seeing teams like this go for it when the opportunity arises. I wish them luck if they do decide to go for it.
FanGraphs has Tigers making the playoffs at 3.4%. So, realistically, it’s not happening. We’re not a playoff team. We’re 9 under and 5 games out of first. The wins just aren’t there. We’re only projected for 73.4. Twins projected at 83.1, where do they find 9.5 wins to overcome that? It would take a monumental fluke of circumstances.
Realistically, they need to unload E-Rod. The only way he takes the player option is if he gets badly injured, no sense bearing that risk unnecessarily.
They should continue to restock young talent, unload Lorenzen.
Possibly a trade for an already established player with years left on his contract… I’d like to see them try to get Brenden McMahon from COL. That team is completely dead, McMahon isn’t their answer, and we have young starting pitching to offer.
Ryan McMahon? Or Brendan Rodgers?
Ryan McMahon… I realized my mistake right afterwards
RyMac has a pretty big clubhouse presence and is very well liked within the organization, which is probably why they gave him all those years. Doubt they’d consider trading him, even though he’s solidly above average, mostly from the glove, but not a superstar at all.
BRod is most likely available, especially with Adael Amador looking like the Rockies 2B of the future.
Wasn’t intended to be a jerk, both are viable targets in theory, based on how you phrased it
Seeing Cody Bellinger cited as a rental bat option makes me smile. I’m glad he got his ship righted, even if not in LA
This is ‘smoke’. Who will the Tigers trade? You always know when the Tigers are in town. Look for the buzzards flying over the stadium.
I’ll be disappointed if Eduardo Rodriguez is still a Tiger after the deadline and let’s hope for Javy Baez too.
Yes, Baez needs to go!
The logic of selling seems inescapable.
Their most valuable trade assets are all pitchers. Teams like the Orioles, Reds, Rangers and Dbacks all have a need and the position player prospects the Tigers would want. ERod’s value might never be this high again.
Why not sell pitching to get young hitting? Our pitching is good even without Erod. If the prices for pitching are as high as I think they will be at the deadline I’d be good with them shipping out arms (even young controllable bullpen arms for the right price) for young bats that might contribute now. If we had some more bats then maybe a playoff push would be more realistic. Pick up someone like Justin Foscue from Texas for 2B or 3B who is raking in the minors and blocked. Throw Malloy out there in the OF for the last month and see what he has. Let Maton, Ibanez and McKinistry share one position and be Utility IF’ers like they should be. Inject some life into the offence with new blood from somewhere!
With all their pitching injuries and middling offence I don’t see Cleveland making it. I have no idea how Minnesota is so bad with their pitching being so good…just too many off years for key bats. I still think the Twins come out on top. Whoever gets the right parts at the trade deadline this year could win the Central though.
The Dodgers need pitching as well. Both Erod and Lorenzen need to be traded. Also, Lange can’t throw strikes. I’m hoping he has an intense two weeks, so he can also be traded. The offense isn’t ready to compete, but we’re closer than many thought coming into the year. With a few savvy moves at the trade deadline and in the off-season, including bringing up a few of the kids, the team should at least be 500 next year, with a chance to compete in the division.
Tigers seem primed to get on a roll here before 8/1 and if they do, depending on offers for Rodriguez or Lorenzen, you have to listen to the offers or you’d be negligent to the fans. Possibly even for Lange as I think someone like Foley could possibly assume closers role. If the return is too good to pass up, even if within a game of first place, you have to listen to the offers. Also, Tork is on track to hit around 20-25 hrs and 80 plus RBI’s this year. He’s still young and developing, let him and Greene and others grow and develop. Can’t be so quick to give up on talent.
RBIs and runs scored are team and batting order related. The quick and easy is Total Bases. it’s just a frontal view but Torkelson saves the IF defense uncounted errors and the pitching staff extra work. IMO. Spencer Torkelson is more valuable that just his offensive numbers.
Yes, he’s got gold glove potential for certain
I say offer Reece Olson to Milwaukee for Urias and Tellez
Oohhhh, mean to dangle their big trade faux pas back in front of them 😉 I’m surprised the bottom fell out for Urias this year. I like him.
I like Olsen, got great stuff as long as he stays healthy
Keep an eye on Brieske out in the pen. He looked impressive last night with good velo and serious movement. Pitching is a position of wealth the Tigers can trade from, so we could see some guys go. Harris will only target players who can help long term and who fit his ‘dominate the strike zone’ philosophy. As someone mentioned, had the Tigers not lost Carpenter and Greene and had so many pitchers out, its very possible they would have taken control of the division. Carpenter needs to play everyday and fans need to support Baez and send him positive vibes.
The only thing we need to Baez is out of town GET RID OF HIM
That’s probably easier said than done. The Tigers are doing what they should do and supporting him and trying to help recapture the better version of Javy. Javy seems like an emotional guy. Baseball is hard. I am sure he is not happy with his play either. Get behind him and support him, because like it or not, he is most likely a Tiger for another 4 years or so. Go Javy! Go Tigers!
Kerry Carpenter does anything but “dominate the strike zone”.
Solid potential though
Would like to see the Tigers make it to the playoffs for Miggy last year.
Any word on in Detroit on potential call ups this year? I don’t see the point of keeping Malloy down at AAA much longer. He’s 23 and already has 400 games of college and minor league ball under his belt.
Spencer Torkelson stays at 1B. No sense playing players out of position. I think Ryan Kreidler plays a good 3B and I’m ok letting him prove himself full time. I was hoping the Tigers would give Zack Short the SS position full time last season and NOT sign any of the free agent SS. I would rather see Zack Short at SS, Zach McKinstry at 2B and go away from the “Javier Baez me first” show completely. Let them play everyday. There’s hope.
Max Clark signed! Hopefully we’ll see him in 3-4 years!
For me, It’s NOT ABOUT WHETHER THE GLASS IS HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY…..
I don’t understand the focus, because in my mind…..IT’S ABOUT HOW.MUCH IS.LEFT IN THE BOTTLE and WHO’S picking up the tab?(i.e……how much do.you have left on your credit card, honey?)
Focuses on what is important!
HIRE THE SUPERFIFE
It’s just so exciting having 4 guys on the 26 man roster hitting over .250 (including Miggie @ .251)
They way we did a come back win, after being shut out for 7 innings against the mighty .284 Royals was indeed, awesome!
Go Tigers!
It’s going to.come down.to.the series against MN.
It has been very entertaining. I believe they can do it!
Yep. I’m so.screwed up I actually believe they have playoff.chances
..lots.of head to.head.games against MN yet to come…….MN has a better schedule, but.the Tigers’ fate can still be determined by……
the Tigers.
Riding through.the desert on a one horse.camel……water, water….I see water…..charge a…..
Is it fate?…or is it….destiny?
Today, 07182023, we are down to 3 batters batting above .250.
IF, Chris Illich was really a fan….I very seriously doubt this would be happening. It’s excruciating.