The Detroit Tigers just won their past three against an always dangerous New York Yankees team. Prior to that however they suffered two straight sweeps against the lowly Seattle Mariners and the division leading Cleveland Indians.
So far this season has been a let down. Pitching (the rotation and bullpen) has been pretty inconsistent and the offense has been quiet.
There is still plenty of time left in the season to get things turned around and in a relatively weak division anything is possible.
Lynn Henning of the Detroit News believes that if the Tigers continue to struggle a trade may be in order. A player that may be available and a player that the Tigers may target is Mets’ third baseman David Wright.
Here is what Henning has to say about those possibilities…
As mentioned last week, David Wright looks as if he will be available and the Tigers almost certainly will be among those clubs inquiring. The New York Mets third baseman is only 28 and has the bat, as well as the glove, to make third base an All-Star position in Detroit.
Questions: Can the Tigers make an offer healthy enough to attract the Mets? Probably, although it will be steep: a top-notch pitching prospect or two (Andy Oliver, Charlie Furbush, Casey Crosby, Lester Oliveros, etc., would be candidates), plus another hitting prospect, and maybe a player or two from the current roster. Down the road, fans will groan when a couple of those guys become stars. Can the Tigers take on the $45 million Wright is promised through 2013 (if a club option is picked up)? Again, most likely, when the team’s payroll is slightly north of $100 million.
Would the Tigers be able to package Inge in any such deal? Perhaps, with payroll considerations. And would Inge agree to any such deal as a 5-and-10 man (10 years in the big leagues, five or more with the same club?). That’s a bridge best crossed when the Tigers get there.
David Wright certainly be a welcome addition to the Tigers. He would provide more of a threat at the plate while still playing sound defense at third. I agree with Lynn Henning in his assessment that the price tag for Wright would be steep. Any deal involving Wright would more than likely involve one of their young arms like a Furbush, Oliver or even Jacob Turner.
Then there’s the question, what do you do with Brandon Inge? Henning wonders himself if the Tigers would be able to package Inge in any deal however that deal probably won’t be a potential deal for David Wright. Brandon Inge is a player that should have been traded to the National League years ago but at this stage in his career Inge would only be a small piece of a trade puzzle.
Source: Detroit News
