The Detroit Tigers made a few big moves at the trade deadline, bringing in three left-handed pitchers, two right-handed pitchers and an infielder/outfielder. These big moves probably will not make a noticeably difference in 2015, but they will starting in 2016.
The Tigers received LHP Daniel Norris, LHP Matt Boyd and LHP Jairo Labourt from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for former Cy Young Award winner David Price.
Detroit acquired RHP Michael Fulmer and RHP Luis Cessa from the New York Mets in exchange for two-time Home Run Derby champion outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.
Meanwhile, the Tigers also added shortstop JaCoby Jones from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for closer Joakim Soria.
BREAKDOWN:
Daniel Norris is a top five left-handed prospect and is the Tigers new number one prospect. The lefty struggled, but made a huge turn in 2013 and was the biggest breakout Minor League star that season. The 22-year-old had poor command early, but he made adjustments and is arguably one of the best young pitchers in the game.
The second round draft pick has the chance to become a top-of-the-rotation type of pitcher in a few seasons. His best pitch is his fastball, but his slider has outstanding movement. He has pitched in the All-Star Futures Game, which acknowledges the best prospects in the game.
Norris will get the chance to make his mark on the Major Leagues for the first time with the Tigers on Sunday.
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Michael Fulmer is a first round pick of the 2011 MLB Draft. The 22-year-old has owned his 2015 season with the strong showing in Double-A. He is 6-2 with a 1.88 ERA over 15 games, but now he is with the Tigers farm system. Fulmer came over to the Tigers in a deal that sent Cespedes to the Mets.
The right-handed pitchers best pitch is his slider, which generates the most attention and allows him to get the most swings and misses. But, his fastball consistently hits the mid 90s. He struggles with his changeup and it will never be a dominant pitch if he makes his way to the Majors.
With his stuff, Fulmer should see the big leagues in Detroit. He would be a number three or four pitcher, unless his power arsenal forced him in the back end of the bullpen.
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Matt Boyd is a sixth round draft pick in the 2013 MLB Draft, taken by the Blue Jays, who dealt him to the Tigers in a package deal for Price. The 24-year-old was already spoken about as one to make the 2015 rotation, but Detroit decided to take Norris instead.
The lefty is 9-2 with a 1.68 ERA over 18 games pitched over in the Minor Leagues this season. He has thrown a total of 112.2 innings, while striking out 107 hitters.
Boyd's best pitch is his changeup, and he also mixes in a curveball, slider and fastball. His fastball touches anywhere from 87-93 MPH and it stays down in the zone to keep it effective.
If Boyd shows his skill in Detroit's Minor League system, then he will have a clear cut shot to make something of himself at the big league level.
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Luis Cessa signed out of Mexico as a shortstop, but turned himself into a starter who can command the baseball. The 23-year-old would be a solid starter, but seems to have the command of a short relief pitcher in the Majors.
The right-handed pitcher, who was acquired by the Tigers from the Mets for Cespedes, is 7-7 with a 3.98 ERA over 18 games at the Minor League level during 2015.
Cessa is athletic and has a three-pitch mix, all of which are solid. The curveball struggles more than the fastball and changeup, but will still do damage. The righty can touch 95 MPH on occasion. He has a dominant average of 1.8 walks per nine innings over his MiLB career.
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JaCoby Jones was drafted in the third round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the Pirates. He was acquired by Detroit when the Pirates traded for Soria. Jones has a ton of upside, which attracted the Tigers.
The right-handed hitter went 0-for-3 with one walk and a run scored during his first game with Double-A Erie, the Tigers affiliate. Jones is batting .258/.316/.395 with 10 home runs and 61 RBI over 97 games in the 2015 season.
The infielder, who can also play some outfield, is very athletic. Jones has raw power with bat speed, but he needs to make sure he can hit for average, along with power. The good news is that Jones has the ability to be a difference maker at the big league level, but it will take time and patience from the young hitter.
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Jairo Labourt was signed in 2011 out of the Dominican Republic as a left-handed pitcher. He was later traded to the Tigers from the Blue Jays in exchange for Price.
The 21-year-old pitched in the Futures Game, which is for top prospects only. He has a 2-7 record with a 4.80 ERA at the Minor League level in 2015. Over 84.1 innings this season, Labourt has has 75 strikeouts, but has walked 48 batters.
The lefty has a solid fastball that sits in the low 90s. His slider is his main offspeed pitch. Labourt's weakest pitch in his changeup, which he only throws every once and awhile because of the inconsistency.
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The Tigers have got six new prospects that could make Detroit a force to be reckoned with in the 2016 and 2017 season. Norris, Boyd and Fulmer are all possible candidates for starting rotation either next season or the season after. Detroit dealt away two months of Price, Soria and Cespedes for six prospects, which seems to be an absolute steal for Detroit. The Tigers are already giving Norris a shot to pitch for them in the big leagues on Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles.