Tigers trade tiers: Whos most likely to go at the deadline?
It’s time to embrace the chaos.
Nothing on the baseball calendar stirs angst and intrigue — both among fans, players and executives — quite like the trade deadline.
This year’s Aug. 1 deadline is fast approaching, and though there has been minimal noise regarding the Tigers so far, expect that to change in quick fashion.
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With the Tigers 6 1/2 games out of first place in the AL Central after Monday’s win, here’s a look at this year’s trade chips.
In demand
LHP Eduardo Rodriguez: All has been quiet on this front so far, but Rodriguez is one of the very best pitchers who could be up for sale at the trade deadline. The left-hander has an opt-out after this season and it would make sense for him to exercise it. Rodriguez got off to a dynamite start this year and recovered quickly from a finger injury that threatened his trade status in late May.
The opt-out will still make pulling off a deal tricky — if Rodriguez were to get hurt or underperform and decline the opt-out, an acquiring team would be on the hook for three years and $39 million, unless the Tigers were to include other contingencies in a deal.
Rodriguez represents the Tigers’ best chance to add talent to the organization, and if he’s not moved, the Tigers risk losing him for nothing. Worth noting: Rodriguez also has a 10-team no-trade clause in his contract. He is also currently lined up to make a start on the day of the trade deadline, which could make for an interesting scene.
RHP Michael Lorenzen: Lorenzen is on an expiring one-year deal, so there’s a chance he could be even more likely to get traded than Rodriguez. After earning a somewhat surprising All-Star selection, Lorenzen has begun pitching like … well, an All-Star in July. He has a 2.08 ERA over his past six starts, and though his stuff is not overpowering, he has simplified his arsenal and started having more success than ever.
The Tigers have already received interest in Lorenzen, and he would be a natural fit for any contender. The idea of extending Lorenzen in Detroit is intriguing, but the Tigers also have a chance to capitalize on a trade while Lorenzen’s stock is at its highest.
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Makes sense to move
RHP José Cisnero: The hard-throwing reliever is a free agent after the season, and despite some inconsistent stuff, he has quietly been very good for an extended period of time. Prior to Monday’s outing where Cisnero surrendered a solo homer, he has a 2.76 ERA since July 2022. Cisnero, though, has been highly hittable over the past month, posting an 11.74 ERA in seven July appearances. Detroit likely would not get much in return, but perhaps the Tigers could still find a contender willing to take a chance on Cisnero.
LHP Chasen Shreve: Shreve is also a free agent after the year and has been a nice, versatile member of the Tigers’ bullpen this season. His status as a veteran lefty could give him some appeal to other clubs. Shreve has long had close to even splits. This year, the left-hander has had slightly better results against left-handed batters (.748 OPS) than righties (.783 OPS).
Chasen Shreve and Eric Haase celebrate a win against the Twins at Target Field on June 16, 2023. (Adam Bettcher / Getty Images)Less likely
RHP Alex Lange: He’s under team control through 2027, which is the chief reason the Tigers would be hard-pressed to trade Lange. Any thought to the contrary has been hampered by the fact Lange has struggled mightily with an 8.27 ERA over his past 17 games. He still boasts one of the best swing-and-miss curveballs in the sport when he’s on, and unless another team comes with a truly compelling offer, he makes more sense as a member of the Tigers’ bullpen for a few more years.
RHP Jason Foley: Foley has supplanted Lange as arguably the Tiger’s best relief pitcher this season. The sinkerballer has a 2.03 ERA and has improved in his ability to handle left-handed batters. Like Lange, Foley is also under team control through 2027. The Tigers aren’t under pressure to move either reliever, though that doesn’t mean their names won’t appear in a rumor or two over the next several days.
LHP Tyler Holton: Holton is finally starting to get some recognition for being an absolute gem find off the waiver wire. The former member of the Diamondbacks came to Detroit and has posted a 1.70 ERA in 34 games this season. Left-handed batters are hitting only .139 against him. The Tigers now have control of him through 2028, though the idea of selling high on Holton to a team craving a lefty specialist has some appeal.
RHP Spencer Turnbull: Turnbull is still on the mend from the neck injury that created an odd back-and-forth with the team earlier this season. The saga that began with Turnbull getting optioned seems to have created friction between player and team, though that doesn’t at all mean a trade is imminent. Turnbull missed all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery and posted a 7.26 ERA in seven starts this season. He still has high-end stuff when he’s at his best, so there could be interested teams looking to buy low on a starter who is still under team control through next season. Turnbull is slated to make rehab starts at High-A West Michigan on Tuesday and Sunday.
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Longshots
LHP Tarik Skubal: Skubal’s name popped up in trade talks last season, when Al Avila was still running the show in Detroit. He’s just now settling back in after flexor tendon surgery but still has big appeal as a talented lefty. The idea of moving Skubal always comes up because he has the talent that could net the Tigers a premium young hitter. But the timing doesn’t make much sense right now, and Skubal still has a high ceiling with the Tigers.
OF Kerry Carpenter: Carpenter’s name popped up in a surprising report from MLB’s Jon Morosi. It was enough to raise an eyebrow, but Carpenter is one of the Tigers’ top young hitters and is still coming into his own. His defensive limitations are real, but with Miguel Cabrera done after this season, Carpenter is more likely to be the Tigers’ top option at DH next year than he is to be traded at the deadline.
(Top photo of Michael Lorenzen: Mitchell Layton / Getty Images)
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