MLB trade rumors: Tigers should make these 5 moves

2. Cut bait on Nicholas Castellanos

The Tigers had high hopes when they shifted superstar Miguel Cabrera back to first base and gave Castellanos the starting third base job in 2014. The Florida native was a consensus top 20 prospect who was labeled a potential star by non other than John Sickels.

It hasn’t worked out like planned.

With the exception of 2016, Castellanos has been a below-average hitter, and he is on pace for his worst year at the plate in 2017, just as he should be entering his prime years.

And don’t get us started on his fielding. He has nine errors already this year, and rates as awful by traditional and advance stats.

In three-plus years as a starter, he has accumulated just 0.3 wins above replacement.

Things have gotten so bad that Tigers manager Brad Ausmus recently decided to sit Castellanos for two games.

“To reset more mentally than anything,” Ausmus said. “Wipe the slate clean and just be ready to go on Friday.”

The arbitration-eligible third baseman is set to get a big raise from the $3 million he is making this year. That’s something the Tigers would like to avoid, especially as Avila looks to trim payroll.

Still only 25 and under team control for several more years, Castellanos could yield a good return. The Tigers don’t have a replacement ready in the minors, but that’s something they could remedy if they truly go all in a rebuild.

In any case, it is apparent the Tigers and Castellanos could use a fresh start.