Should Tigers Buy at Trade Deadline Following Mini-Hot Streak?

The Detroit Tigers’ recent mini-hot streak has sparked the debate: should they be buyers at the upcoming trade deadline?

With the All-Star break approaching and the Tigers going in having won eight of their last 10, the question remains—has their performance been enough to warrant investment in new talent?

Tigers Suddenly Get Hot

Two weeks ago, the Tigers appeared consigned to being sellers yet again, as they found themselves eight games under .500 and eight games out of the final wildcard spot.

Following a tough series against the struggling Angels, they hit rock bottom with a crushing 12-3 loss to the Twins, dropping their record to 39-48. At that point, hope seemed distant, with no indications of a turnaround.

However, in the final ten days before the All-Star break, the Tigers showcased a remarkable resurgence. They swept a talented Reds team on the road, followed by taking three out of four games from the Guardians at home, only losing in extra innings.

To cap it off, they won a series against the Dodgers, demonstrating their resilience even after a blown lead in the opener.

With the All-Star break now upon us, the Tigers are now 8-2 in their last 10 games, including consecutive series wins over top-tier teams. This sudden hot streak raises a crucial question: is it enough to justify becoming buyers at the trade deadline? The upcoming days will be pivotal as the Tigers decide whether to invest in new talent or maintain their course.

Wildcard Standings

The Tigers find themselves in a precarious position within the wild card standings. Despite their red-hot streak, they have only managed to gain one MLB game of ground due to the Red Sox winning seven of their last ten games.

Currently, the Tigers are still three games below .500 and face significant competition, needing to surpass the Royals, Astros, and Rays to have a legitimate shot at a wild card spot.

Their schedule following the All-Star break is daunting, starting with three games against the Blue Jays before embarking on a grueling 16-game stretch against playoff contenders.

The Tigers’ performance in these upcoming games will be crucial in determining their fate.

Incentive to Sell

Despite the recent hot streak, there are compelling reasons for the Tigers to consider selling at the trade deadline.

A prime example is the minor deadline deals that have paid off in recent years. Take the Daniel Norris trade to Milwaukee; it brought prospect Reese Olson to Detroit. Olson has been a significant contributor this season, posting a 3.30 ERA and 1.18 WHIP through 18 starts, with an impressive mix of strikeouts and ground balls.

Another great move by Scott Harris was flipping Michael Lorenzen for prospect Hao-Yu Lee. Lee has thrived in Double-A Erie, hitting .296 with a .365 on-base percentage and showing off his power and speed.

These successful trades could encourage Harris to explore the market once again, possibly targeting rentals like Jack Flaherty, Mark Canha, Gio Urshela, or Carson Kelly. Each trade could bolster the Tigers’ farm system with carefully chosen prospects for future success.

Why the Tigers Could Buy?

Tigers fans are tired of being sellers. With recent performances by young talents like Colt Keith, who’s batting .395 with a .480 OBP and hitting five homers in his past 12 games, and Wencell Perez consistently delivering timely hits, there’s hope.

If Kerry Carpenter returns soon, and with All-Star Riley Greene’s .333 average and 1.032 OPS over his past 33 games, the lineup looks stronger. Add Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, and Reese Olson leading a playoff-caliber rotation; the question becomes: what if the Tigers added a few deadline bats to this young, promising core?

It could be enough to make a wildcard run. Bettors might even find value in the Tigers Moneyline as the team looks poised for a stronger finish to the season.

Potential Targets for Tigers

Here’s the problem: there are a lot of potential buyers this month, but not many impact bats to go around. In the National League, only two teams are more than six games out of a playoff spot.

The AL has only four obvious sellers. That leaves a potential 22-24 teams aiming to improve at the deadline and only a few bad rosters from which to cherry-pick talent.

The Tigers need to upgrade at shortstop because Javier Baez has been a disaster, and Ryan Kreidler’s brief cameo was even worse. Options are limited here. Paul DeJong isn’t much of an upgrade, and it seems farfetched that Harris would surrender the prospects necessary to land a star like Bo Bichette.

First base poses a similar challenge; it’s been a revolving door since Spencer Torkelson’s demotion. Josh Bell appears cooked, and a Cody Bellinger deal feels out of reach. It’s also safe to say Vlad Guerrero Jr. isn’t happening.

Some of the good available hitters are primarily outfielders—Jazz Chisholm, Randy Arozarena, Taylor Ward, Brent Rooker, Luis Robert, Tommy Pham, etc. However, the Tigers don’t really need outfield investments, as Riley Greene, Wenceel Perez, and Justyn-Henry Malloy are already in the mix.

Maybe surprise sellers will emerge. Could the Rays consider moving old friend Isaac Paredes? Will the Rockies switch gears and part with Ryan McMahon? What if the defending champion Rangers quit and offer up Nathaniel Lowe or Josh Smith?

The list of available bats isn’t attractive for the Tigers, especially for cost-efficient upgrades. But it’s Harris’ job to explore all options and get creative. This is the first time in eight years they could be buyers.