The time has come for the Tigers to enter the sellers’ market, writes Jon Morosi of FOX Sports. Names like David Price, Yoenis Cespedes and Rajai Davis, among others, should be marketed over the coming 10 days in an attempt to avoid a lengthy rebuild in the Motor City. However, Morosi notes that there’s more to the likely trades of veteran players than just a one-year selling cycle. Rather, he writes this could very well represent the beginning of a new philosophy for the Tigers. Sources tell Morosi that Christopher Ilitch (son of owner Mike Ilitch) has taken a greater influence over the Tigers’ business operations than his father, whose focus has shifted to the construction of a new arena for the Detroit Red Wings. As such, the Tigers’ aggressively escalating payroll may take a step back in the coming years. However, the team can avoid a lengthy rebuild by acquiring strong packages for stars Price and Cespedes. Specifically, he wonders if the Dodgers would part with a combination of Grant Holmes, Jose De Leon and Cody Bellinger for Price, while speculating that names such as Brett Phillips and Vincent Velasquez could be in play if Houston makes a run at Cespedes.
Here’s more from the AL Central…
- The Tigers have a brief window to change the front office’s mind on becoming a seller, writes MLive.com’s Chris Iott. Each of their next nine games will come against teams with negative run differentials, he points out. However, Iott also notes that if GM Dave Dombrowski is to extract maximum value for Price and/or Cespedes, he’ll need to begin laying groundwork for trades sooner than the final two days of the non-waiver trading period. The implication there, seemingly, is that it’s possible Dombrowski has already begun to do so, or will begin shortly, and could receive an offer he must take before Detroit has a chance to turn the tide.
- Morosi tweets that Indians infielder Jose Ramirez could make for an intriguing trade candidate in the next 10 days. He has a strong defensive reputation in the minors, and Ramirez is also enjoying a strong season at the plate in Triple-A. However, he’s blocked by Francisco Lindor, who rated as one of the best prospects in all of baseball prior to his debut. Ramirez hit .265/.307/.353 in 280 plate appearances with Cleveland’s big league club from 2013-14, but he slumped to .176/.243/.235 in 173 PAs this season before Lindor took the reins at short. Ramirez has played more second base than short in the minors, and some scouts feel he’s better suited there than at shortstop, but one can imagine clubs with needs at either middle infield spot showing interest.
- Twins top decision-makers got together on a conference call last night to discuss the club’s top need heading into the trade deadline, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press tweets. However, there’s somewhat of a divided camp among the Twins’ brass right now. That’s not particularly surprising, considering that despite their second place standing in the AL Central, the Twins could use upgrades in the bullpen, behind the plate and at shortstop.
- Berardino does note (Twitter link), however, that despite some reports connecting the Twins to a reunion with Carlos Gomez, Minnesota isn’t particularly interested in reacquiring its former center fielder from the Brewers. The Twins do have nice outfield depth, with Byron Buxton nearing a return from the DL, Aaron Hicks hitting and fielding well in 2015 and the likes of Torii Hunter, Eddie Rosario and Oswaldo Arcia to fill out the rest of the outfield.
There is no point in keeping Cespedes and letting him walk as a FA, because he cant be offered a QO – either sign him long term or trade him right now.
The Tigers could get a great haul for Cespedes, Price, Avila, Nathan, Soria, Davis, Avila & Simon which could see them reload for 2016 with who’s there longterm. They’d be very silly not to do it.
Nathan is retiring
The Tigers are 4 games out of a wildcard with only the two teams holding those spots and another team 1/2 game above them between them and the WC. They better sell EVERYONE because any vet who remains is going to have zero faith in a franchise punting on a season that close to a playoff spot. Not to mention adding (hopefully) one of the best bats in baseball if Cabrera returns in August.
I agree with you. The teams in front of them aren’t exactly flawless. I don’t understand why everyone is so eager for the Tigers to sell.
That list I made isn’t “EVERYONE” – its free agents-to-be. Detroit has plenty of cost-controlled and long-term contracted players to build around. Forgot about Nathan being out for season, my bad on that one.
If you think the Tigers -even with Miggy- have a shot this year, you need to wake up. Other than Price, the starting pitching isnt going anywhere. This team is not good. The pitching is an unmitigated disaster and they are extremely lucky to be even .500. KC & Minnesota are just better this year, but Detroit looks just fine for 2016, as long as they get rid of who they can right now.
Yeah, we are not talking about a complete rebuild here. This debate should surprise no one, particularly those of us in Tigers Nation. There was going to be a season just like this one were the baseball gods conspired against us. The Tigers must be smart, analytical and economically savy. Maximize their assets and get ready for another run in 2016.
It’s not surrending, but instead pulling back to fight another day.
That’s the wise move to make here, and Morosi echoed this with his article today.
Trading Price for 2-3 top prospects and going after FA’s is going to have the Tigers right back in contention. They do, however, desperately need to find solid relievers somewhere.
I think you are overlooking Sanchez, he had a rough patch this season but in his last 7 starts he is 6-0 with a 2.86 ERA over 50.1 innings.
Avila (hitting .192/.333/.293), Nathan (on the DL) and Alfredo Simon (back of the rotation starter set to hit free agency) wont bring back much of anything.
Not that great there all free agents. They can get low a or double A players .
You listed Avila twice, Nathan’s career is over, and Simon has bomb ed and has zero trade value. The rest, sure.
Davis would be a nice low cost improvement over Matt Joyce.
Half a year of price for all those prospects thats too much. That’s what they’ll offer the phlllies for hamels and couple of more prospects.
Cespedes and Price for Puig. Finagle that DD. Please.
… Or Cespedes, Price, Davis, Avila, Soria and Verlander for ONE Prospect. Any contender interested in that? Perhaps Houston?
Price does have a famous dog named Astro.
Doesn’t JV have a no-trade clause?