With the MLB non-waiver trade deadline rapidly approaching the Tigers presumably will be sellers come the deadline. Now given the amount of holes the Tigers currently have the roster through the trade deadline, however they do have an opportunity to make some pretty significant improvements.
Over the past couple weeks it seemed that the Tigers were going to put a precedent on pitcher over a positional player. This seemed the case since the team fired pitching coach Rick Knapp leading fans to believe that the team was seriously interested in improving the pitching staff.
But could they haul in a pitcher and a positional player come the trade deadline?
Jonah Kerl of ESPN.com believes that the Tigers could end up trading two prospects in Wade Gaynor and Bruce Rondon to the Cubs for third baseman Aramis Ramirez and pitcher Kerry Wood (plus $4 million dollars in cash). Here is what Kerl had to say…
Brandon Inge has been one of the worst everyday players in all of baseball, “hitting” .186/.253/.255. Meanwhile, Ramirez might be the hottest hitter in baseball right now, posting a 1.435 OPS so far this month to overcome a slow start.
It gets complicated with Ramirez’s contract, though. He’d be owed about $5 million for the rest of this year if he gets dealt near the deadline. Meanwhile, his $16 million club option would become a player option if he gets dealt, likely putting the Tigers on the hook for that salary — as well as the $6 million they’ll still owe Inge after this year. Still, Ramirez could provide a big boost for one of baseball’s most top-heavy lineups, making the Tigers potential favorites to win the AL Central. The Cubs’ willingness to handle some of the financial burden could make or break any Ramirez deal. Adding Wood, who struggles at times to find the strike zone but improves the Tigers’ bullpen depth, could further expedite a trade.
On the other side, Gaynor’s having an off-year after an impressive 2010, but he was a 20-20 player in college who could emerge as an everyday major league third baseman with further development. Rondon is a two-pitch reliever with iffy control but big-time strikeout potential.
After the All-Star break the Tigers are going to have some serious questions at the end of their rotation like who takes the spot vacated by Charlie Furbush when he was sent down to Triple-A. If Phil Coke isn’t inserted back into the starting rotation I see them going out and getting a left handed starter like a Wandy Rodriguez from the Houston Astros.
Kerl is right though, the Cubs will need to be willing to take on some of Ramirez’s contract in order for the Tigers to bite on the trade.
Source: ESPN.com