The Tigers could use an upgrade at second base and they could also consider corner outfielders and starting pitchers between now and the end of the month. Here’s the latest on the Tigers, who have a 44-42 record after winning five consecutive games:
- Trade candidates such as Jed Lowrie, Darwin Barney, Marco Scutaro and Carlos Quentin would interest the Tigers, but it might be prohibitively expensive to trade for them, Lynn Henning of the Detroit News writes.
- The Tigers are probably willing to part with prospect Rob Brantly, Henning writes. Casey Crosby, Jacob Turner or Bruce Rondon could also be available, but the Tigers don’t want to discuss Nick Castellanos. The third base prospect, who was recently named MVP of the Futures Game, has taken fly balls in the outfield to increase his versatility.
- Tigers president and GM Dave Dombrowski says the trade market is “probably as tight as any” he has seen. The new collective bargaining agreement will also affect the deadline, since teams can no longer obtain draft picks for players acquired midseason. "The compensation issue will definitely have an effect," Dombrowski told Henning. "How much of a change? Only time will tell. I really don't know what's going to happen."
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports keeps hearing different things about the Tigers (Twitter link). He’s recently heard that Detroit will focus on pitching because the team’s decision makers can't find a second baseman they like.
Casey Crosby, Jacob Turner and Bruce Rondon to the Cubs for Garza and Barney? Not enough? Too much?
I think a little much Garza isn’t a god especially in the AL
Way too much for me.
way to much
Can Castellanos not play 2B?
I’m hoping this is a trolling attempt. No he can’t he’s 6’4, way to tall to play 2nd and he’s really not even that good at 3rd. He’ll be the getting the full coaching treatment in the spring when they move him to the outfield. His position right now is just, “hitter” his defense is far behind his bat speed.
Gotcha. I did not realize he was that big. Thanks.
Yea he’s pretty huge 6’4 210 and only going to get bigger. They say he’ll get to around 220-230.
haha, yah man and at the futures game I’d say he looked like a skinny 210. 230 lbs at least once he gets to the majors
No
Does Barney actually have trade value? I guess if your second baseman is Ramon Santiago he does, but he’s probably more of a throw-in type guy right?
Wrong. He is only 26, cheap, controlled through 2016, and plays gold glove defense. He is also a very good shortstop. He is interesting in that he doesn’t walk or strikeout a lot, so he gets the ball in play. He is baseball smart and always has his head in the game. His power numbers should rise over the next few years.
So in other words he’s Neifi Perez. Pass.
Phillies could send Polanco with Hamels and maybe even Victorino (or Pence) for Turner and Castellanos, Rondon and Crosby (maybe Brennan Boesh if your etired of him)
thank you Steve
I do think Hamels could haul a player like Castellanos. Would Phils / Tigers do a 1 for 1 swap?
The Phillies would not trade an all star pitcher for a top prospect. As much as I would want them to
The Tigers would not trade a top notch hitting prospect for a 2-month rental of an AS pitcher.
The only person I would trade for is Quentin and release or trade Delmon. The 2B options of Barney, Scutaro and Lowrie really don’t offer much of an upgrade over Santiago and Raburn. And the only other available players that would offer an upgrade (Garza, Hamels, Pence) teams’ will probably be too adamant about receiving Castellanos that I just don’t see a deal getting done. Maybe a deal for Dempster wouldn’t be too bad but all of our pitchers can be just as talented as him. It’s inconsistency that’s our pitchers problem, not talent.
Jose Altuve is appealing
Just not sure what itd take
Houston has stated that he’s not available meaning it would take a lot. Not sure giving up high end prospects for a 5’5 2B is what we need.
Look at Lowrie’s numbers and tell me again that he’s not an upgrade over Santiago. I like Santiago a lot but Lowrie is much better offensively for sure and probably equal defensively.
While Lowrie is having a decent year, I still stand by him not being much of an upgrade. He’s getting close to new highs in AB so he has the same prospect of being inconsistent like RS and RR. The only difference is that RS and RR have a track record of being good 2nd half hitters.
Fair enough but for me Scutaro is just average and also on the downswing in his career. Personally I’d much rather have Lowrie.
I’d rather have neither. Just stick it out Santiago and Raburn and see what’s available in the offseason.
I don’t think you can trade Delmon when he’s finally showing some life and you really need his power. And even a defensive upgrade over Raburn/Santi (no range) would be a huge plus for a weak defense.
How about this Turner+2 High Ceiling prospects
for Barney/Garza/couple of mid tier prospects similar too deal above
Castellanos + Smyly for Garza + Barney + Cash
Garza is very inconsistent I think over the long haul this would hurt the Tigers
You’re funny.
Only way you see Castellanos is in a deal with Castro coming the other way
>Implying that Castellanos has higher trade value than Castro
any deal where the other teams gm says the deal starts with castellanos will hear nothing but silence on the other side cause dombrowski has just hung up he may deal turner but he isnt dealing castellanos why do you think we moved him to the outfield
you really want to trade Castellanos? he is arguably their best prospect of course Jacob Turner is pretty damn good too
I have zero interest in Garza. What we have is already far better, and Barney is not an upgrade (in my opinion) to Santiago. Yes, he had a slow start with the bat, but that is coming around and he’s solid at the plate. He’s always had a good glove and range defensively.
There is only one player the Tigers would give both Castellanos and Turner, Justin Upton. The Tigers should not give up both for Hamels because he might just be in Detroit for 2 months. Turner shouldn’t even be involved in a Garza deal because in a year he will be better than him.
Agreed i’d be disappointed if Castellanos was moved for i’d be fine with it for Upton, super talent and still very young.
i think we could get upton without including castellanos agree on hamels i wouldnt even try for him cause he is gone in the winter anyway
Talent and age wise Upton might be worth it but I think Upton is a head case and might prove to be more trouble than he’s worth. Why do you think the D-backs are willing to part with him even though they’re still in a race.
I think the D-Backs see Upton as a good player but, not a good enough player to build a team around, I feel the same way for ex. about Han-Ram.
Did I call that or what
The Tigers wouldn’t be building the team around Upton. He’d be a complimentray player to Austin Jackson, Miguel Cabrera, and Prince Fielder. No pressure for him to perform and be “the guy”. I think he would thrive in the #2 hole and in that environment
Exactly, everyone knows the Tigers are built around souley Cabrera.
I did list two other guys in the offense and didn’t even mention Verlander or Avila
Solely? Nope. Strongly? Yes.
There is also some guys named verlander, avilla, fister , Jackson and this other dude named prince.
But hey; why not build around Cabrera? Any hitter you’d rather gve in the game than him???? Not me.
Amen. A lineup of AJax, Upton, MCab, Prince, Avila and VMart when healthy? Awesome. Icing on the cake if Boesch or Delmon ever figure it out and can play LF.
But in Detroit, they wouldn’t have to build the team around him. They’ve got Cabby and Prince and JV and Victor to take the pressure off and maybe help him grow up.
Tigers fans…. Would you do a Hamels and Polanco for Castellanos and Burgos or Paulino deal… with the Phils including cash towards Polanco’s salary??
No
Polanco is a shell of his former self. Polanco was a really good 2b for us for a time, but I doubt he could play there now
Turner + Smyly + Rondon + Brantly + Boesch for Hamels + Pence.
This assumes that Hamels would be willing to sign with Detroit long-term, which
I doubt.
Thanks, but no thanks, on Polanco.
Take out Rondon and I’d do that in a heartbeat
If you substitute an Oliver-type for Rondon then I’d do that in a heartbeat
i agree that would be a done deal i may still include rondon but if they went with oliver done
Kelly Johnson & a reliever for something
It would be interesting if the Blue Jays were in “sell” mode, they need major league ready pitching the worst possible way. I’d certainly love to see Johnson in the Ole English D though.
I think even if they weren’t in sell mode, KJ is a prime candidate to move.
The Tigers had zero interest in Johnson last year and even before that when he was non-tendered.
Forget about Garza. Turner and/or Smyly are less than 12 months away from equaling Garza on the field at a small fraction of his price. The real need is for Barney.
Just Barney. What is a fair price?
Jose Ortega and Avisail Garcia for Barney and cash?
Interesting that Detroit is playing him in the OF now. I thought that by the time he was called up around 2014, they’d have shifted Prince or Miggy to DH.
Perhaps they are seeing if they can bring him up sooner?
That and I don’t think we want to let Victor walk just for the sake of fitting Castellanos in the lineup. It makes sense for a number of reasons.
Justin Upton, Joe Saunders, and MacDonald/Drew/Roberts(to play 2b) for Castellanos, Crosby, McCann/Brantly, and a lower level guy or two. Hate giving up Castellanos, but this deal would improve the Tigers in every way and Upton is a relatively long-term asset.
Solves all of the Tigers’ problems in one foul swoop. Upton batting 2nd in front of Cabrera would be the ideal situation for him. He wouldn’t have the pressure of being “the guy” that he has in Arizona, but he would still sees plenty of pitches to hit and always have the opportunity to be driven in by MCab and Prince. But he would also have high speed/OBP guys in AJax and Berry/Dirks (batting 9th) on base for him to drive in with his power. Also fits the Tigers’ window of contention perfectly by being cost-controlled for the next 3 seasons, same as Verlander and Cabrera. Saunders would provide stability at the back end of the rotation. And All three of the suggested IFs would improve the Tigers both offensively and defensively at 2b as well.
Breaking news. Nick Castellanos is batting 3rd tonight for AA Erie…. Well that’s not the big news, he’s actually starting in RF tonight. Depending on how that goes could he be in Detroit within the next couple of weeks? Maybe so.
I’m sure he’ll get his September call up, but he’s not ready for the bigs yet. He hasn’t even played a single pro game in RF yet…not one. But hey, he might produce more than Boesch so who knows. They’ll both be swinging at everything.
I know he hasn’t played out there yet, that’s why I asked the question in a couple of weeks. Earlier in the year I thought no chance they rush him. My thoughts have since changed.