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MLB Trade Deadline: 1 trade every team shouldn’t make

By Nathaniel Reeves

Apr 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies during Opening Day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies during Opening Day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 15, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer (32) pitches during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer (32) pitches during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers: Trading any pitching prospect

Last year’s last place 74-87 finish made it look like this could be an end of an era for Detroit, but the Tigers retooled rather than rebuilt in the offseason. Detroit brought in Jordan Zimmermann and Justin Upton among others to keep hope for an elusive title for owner Mike Ilitch.

However, there have been issues in the rotation behind Zimmermann, and the Tigers are off to an 18-21 start. With a lot of money tied up in aging players and not much of a farm system, the Tigers might find themselves in a difficult situation by the trade deadline.

Ilitch and company may be determined to land a splash player at the trade deadline at whatever cost. However, Detroit must preserve what little prospect capital it has left, particularly on the pitching side.

If Detroit is going to be successful over the next two or three years when the aging core might still be productive, it needs to hold on to the likes of Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd. At least one or two of those players will have to make an impact in the Majors this year for Detroit to compete in the AL Central, and there aren’t a ton of realistic trade options who would be a huge upgrade.

If the Tigers can get bullpen help or a back-end starter for a low level prospect or salary help, they should absolutely make some moves. The better hope is that Justin Verlander and Anibal Sanchez turn things around, while one of the young starters emerges as a MLB-caliber pitcher.

Next: Houston Astros: Dealing A.J. Reed or Tyler White

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