The Detroit Tigers are currently under .500, have a poor farm system, and likely don't have the money to re-sign their top upcoming free agents including David Price, Yoenis Cespedes and Joakim Soria. The Kansas City Royals went out today and acquired Johnny Cueto in a deal for three prospects. All signs pointed to the Detroit Tigers trying to sell at the deadline, and trade Price and Cespedes among others for large returns that could help in 2016 and beyond.
Instead, it appears as though the Tigers are going to buy, and try/hope for an AL Wild Card spot in 2015, in which they are currently 4 games behind the Minnesota Twins.
While Buster Olney of ESPN did not say who the Tigers are going to buy, he said this via Twitter:
"If the Tigers keep David Price, they will look to add before July 31st, and they are on the market now checking for upgrades."
Is is unknown if the Tigers even have the pieces to trade in a deal, and if they do, who they might target. The Tigers would presumably look at pitching, and could target names such as Jonathan Papelbon, Cole Hamels, Yovani Gallardo and possibly Aroldis Chapman, among others.
The Tigers could be using this as leverage, however. It could just be that they are looking at the asking price for other players just to judge where to price (no pun intended) their own players. There are also a lot of smokescreens right before the trade deadline, and with few other media outlets reporting the same, it could just be the Tigers hoping they win up to the Trade Deadline, and catch up on the Royals. I
If the Tigers do buy, they likely would not be looking for a rental, as they would likely pursue someone who can help them in the future. While it doesn't seem likely for the Tigers to get a big name, they have made out well in three team trades, and could potentially make another one this season.