Minnesota Twins Division Spotlight: Deals and Rumors in the AL Central

Detroit Tigers: Moves already made

June 23: Francisco Rodriguez released
July 18: J.D. Martinez traded to Arizona Diamondbacks for Sergio Alcantara, Jose King, and Dawel Lugo

Martinez was certainly the first move in what has been rumored to be a significant tear down for the Tigers. The move to release K-Rod was warranted based on his performance and stuff this season. Many were surprised at the lack of quality in prospects that the Tigers got in the deal for Martinez, though dealing with the Diamondbacks is working with one of the 2-3 worst farm systems in the league, so it’s rough to find prospects of quality to acquire.

Detroit Tigers: Players/needs still to address

The Tigers look to be extremely busy in the next few days…

Alex Avila is having a big year in a year where he was expected to be a back up catcher. He’ll likely be a valuable piece on the backup catching market, with a lot of rumors pointing to the Cubs as his logical destination.

Ian Kinsler is being shopped fairly heavy, though he is owed either a $12M team option for 2018 or a $5M buyout, which the Tigers may have to eat as part of the deal.

Justin Verlander has also been shopped heavily, but his $56M owed over the next two seasons is a tough to sell to other teams for his age 35-36 years. The Tigers are also attempting to market Jordan Zimmermann and Anibal Sanchez, though the bites are much fewer and farther between. Teams are heavily interested in Michael Fulmer, but so far, the team hasn’t seemed to want to commit to putting him on the trade market.

The Tigers have also seen Bruce Rondon finally throw well, and that has allowed them to consider moving Justin Wilson and Shane Greene, who have been their two best relievers this season. Wilson should have some very good value as a lefty that has experience closing this year and has shown dominance in his performance as well.

Next: Kansas City Royals