Writers: Tigers still have pieces to trade in August
The Detroit Tigers might not be done dealing just yet.
The Tigers swung one deal leading up to Tuesday afternoon's non-waiver trade deadline, shipping outfielder Leonys Martin to the Cleveland Indians for Willi Castro, a Double-A shortstop. However, several other Tigers who were rumored to be on the block stayed put, as general manager Al Avila said a flooded market might have hampered his efforts.
August, however, offers another opportunity. Tigers fans need only to look to last season to remember deals for Justin Upton and Justin Verlander were struck during the month.
Some believe the Tigers once again could be busy.
Baseball's next trade deadline is Aug. 31, where players must pass through waivers before they're dealt. ESPN senior writer Buster Olney offered up 12 players Thursday who could be dealt by this deadline, and four call Comerica Park home.
Olney singled out right-hander Mike Fiers, shortstop Jose Iglesias, designated hitter Victor Martinez, and left-hander Francisco Liriano as potential trade targets. Fiers, signed by the Tigers in the offseason, also made Sports Illustrated's list of 12 waiver-wire trade candidates.
Fiers is enjoying a solid first season in Detroit, with a 7-6 record, 3.48 ERA, and 1.24 WHIP.
"The A's nearly had a deal in place for Fiers in the final hour before the deadline, but it didn't work out," Michael Bellor of Sports Illustrated writes. "They could certainly revisit that with the Tigers, or the Brewers could swoop in and add to their desperately needy rotation. ... At the very least, he'd lengthen Oakland's or Milwaukee's rotation, and could take some strain off bullpens that rank second and seventh, respectively, in innings pitched."
Iglesias, meanwhile, is enjoying one of his better seasons at age 28, and is a free agent at season's end.
"He's a nice possibility for a contender that finds itself in need of a shortstop, given his defensive capability and his experience," Olney writes.
Martinez, meanwhile, is struggling through a .241 season (.621 OPS) — his 16th — hitting just six home runs with 35 RBIs, though he does have 11 hits in his last eight games (.379 average).
"Martinez's situation might be a little bit like that of Jim Thome near the end of his career, when Thome welcomed a deal to the Dodgers to serve as a pinch hitter in 2009," Olney writes. "The 39-year-old Martinez is making $18 million this year and will clear waivers, and he's having another down year, hitting .241. But he is widely respected for his leadership and his understanding of hitting, and you do wonder if, on Aug. 30 or 31 — just before the September roster expansion — some contender might take on a few thousand dollars in salary for his presence in September and October. The Phillies, perhaps, or the Braves."
Like Fiers, Liriano was signed in the offseason. The 13-year well-traveled veteran is 3-4 with a 4.41 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 17 apperances (16 starts) with his sixth major-league team. Liriano has missed time this season with a strained hamstring and, oddly, a possible allergic reaction.
"The Red Sox discussed the lefty and could revisit that conversation this month," Olney writes. "Liriano's overall numbers are not great, but he has been effective against lefties this season and could be used as a specialist, as he was in the postseason last year. Lefties are batting .113 against him this year, with seven hits in 62 at-bats."