MLB Trade Deadline 2016: 5 moves the Tigers should make

5. Add starting pitching

When you look at the Tigers’ starting pitching, it’s easy to point out the theme. That theme is the aging arms on the staff including guys like Anibal Sanchez, Mike Pelfrey and Justin Verlander. The one takeaway from that trio of starters in that just one has some good pitching still left in the tank: JV.

Verlander is arguably the top veteran pitcher on the team, posting a 10-6 record and 3.64 ERA with 144 strikeouts in just about 138 innings. He has improved over the course of the season and there might be three-or-four good years remaining in his 33-year-old arm.

As for Sanchez, he was once the American League’s ERA leader, but that seems like a distant memory now. He’s been demoted to the bullpen already this season, but he’s made his way back due to injuries. He has a lackluster 6.56 ERA to go along with a 5-11 record and just 86 strikeouts.

Lastly, Pelfrey is the newest addition to the staff, along with Jordan Zimmermann, who was signed this offseason. He’s been nothing more than mediocre, recording a 3-9 record with a 4.78 ERA and a measly 47 strikeouts in over 100 innings.

Detroit needs to add some solid young starters and rid itself of guys like Pelfrey and Sanchez. Sure, there are guys like Michael Fulmer, Matt Boyd and Daniel Norris who are on the rise, but adding a solid fourth or fifth starter would be ideal for a World Series run.

Starting Pelfrey and Sanchez every fifth day is hurting this team big time. Rich Hill from the Athletics has been rumored to be a viable option.

Next: 4. Upgrade bullpen