The Detroit Tigers have been mentioned in many trade rumors recently. Among them are David Price being connected to the Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers. While the Tigers may buy or sell, it is still unknown what they will do.
Yoenis Cespedes has also been rumored to be on the trade block. Among suitors for him are the Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Angels. Under a CBA provision mentioned by Ken Rosenthal, Yoenis Cespedes can not re-sign with the Tigers until May 15th of the following season should he not be traded before the deadline. This gives the Tigers extra incentive to trade him at the deadline, even though Cespedes has said he woud like to remain in a Tigers uniform. The Tigers will not receive draft pick compensation for his loss should he sign elsewhere during free agency.
Rajai Davis, another Tigers outfielder, is reportedly on the trade block as well. While he would not attract as large a package as Cespedes, he would provide speed to any team interested in getting him as a rental. The San Francisco Giants have been connected to him in recent rumors, and could be a good fit. Davis would increase the Giants speed and would be easily replaced on the Tigers by Anthony Gose, who has done well this season. The Tigers might find it easier to sell him with their depth in the outfield with many top prospects such as Steven Moya, Tyler Collins, Daniel Fields and Derek Hill among others.
Alex Avila could also be moved. Division rival Minnesota Twins are reportedly looking for a catcher, and with James McCann's successes in the majors this season, and Avila's injury history and impending free agency looming, the Tigers could look to move the left-handed hitting catcher. Very few teams are looking for a catcher and it seems unlikely the Tigers would call up Brian Holaday from Toledo before September call ups, but if the Tigers get a decent offer, even from a division rival, he could get moved.
Joakim Soria could also be moved, but with the Tigers lack of bullpen depth and some struggles from Soria this season, it seems unlikely that the Tigers would get full value for him, even in a sellers market in the relief market.
Other names that could be moved include Ian Kinsler and Nick Castellanos. Both players are unlikely to be moved due to their long term deals and average production from the position. Castellanos's youth makes him extremely unlikely to be traded because of his growth, his increased consistency (for good and bad), and his high potential in all areas of his game. J.D. Martinez and Victor Martinez are also unlikely to be moved. Victor Martinez will continue his role as the four-hitter in the Tigers lineup, and J.D. Martinez will be the Tigers long term right fielder.
If the Tigers decide to buy, which seems unlikely having not won a series since the beginning of July, the Tigers would likely go after a relief pitcher. The Tigers bullpen is the worst in the league by quite a large margin, with the exception of Blaine Hardy and Alex Wilson. The Tigers rotation has also been lackluster beyond David Price and Anibal Sanchez this year, as the Tigers have lost 20 of the last 24 games not started by either of the two. The Tigers have also given up 107 home runs, which is tied with the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox for the most allowed in MLB. With Scott Kazmir off the market, the Tigers may go after Johnny Cueto or even Cole Hamels.
There is still a long week to go until the trade deadline, but with the market off to a fast start and the weekend team meetings, many rumors and deals will be coming in the days leading up to the deadline. It should be a fun week for Tigers fans, regardless if the team is in a buy or sell mentality.