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MLB Trade Rumors: 5 teams on the fence between buying and selling

By Rucker Haringey

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 05: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the top of the first inning at AT&T Park on June 5, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 05: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the top of the first inning at AT&T Park on June 5, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – JUNE 4: Pitcher Michael Fulmer #32 of the Detroit Tigers holds the “rally goose” while celebrating a win over the New York Yankees in game two of a doubleheader at Comerica Park on June 4, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Players on both teams are wearing the number 42 to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day, as it is the makeup of the game rained out on April 15. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – JUNE 4: Pitcher Michael Fulmer #32 of the Detroit Tigers holds the “rally goose” while celebrating a win over the New York Yankees in game two of a doubleheader at Comerica Park on June 4, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Players on both teams are wearing the number 42 to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day, as it is the makeup of the game rained out on April 15. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

3. Detroit Tigers – Sell

Tigers fans shouldn’t be fooled by the fact that they’re only 4.5 games behind the Cleveland Indians in a very weak AL Central. This is not the time for them to chase the Tribe. Instead, their front office needs to stick to their disciplined plan to rebuild the franchise’s talent pool.

The recent season-ending injury to Miguel Cabrera should only reinforce the club’s current reality. They don’t have enough quality position players to be a legitimate contender. Outside of Nick Castellanos and perhaps, Jeimer Candelario, everyone else should be on the trading block. In all honesty, the prices for Detroit position players shouldn’t be all that high.

Their starting rotation is a different issue altogether. The Tigers should be working to take advantage of the lack of pitching available ahead of the deadline. The team almost has to deal Francisco Liriano when he returns from injury. He’d serve as a terrific one-year rental for a team pushing to win a ring. He might not net the Tigers an elite prospect, but they should be able to get someone of value.

Contrary to popular belief, Detroit may want to hold on to Michael Fulmer. At the very least, the price to acquire him this summer should be sky-high. He isn’t enjoying the best season of his career, but his talent is pretty obvious. Detroit could easily chose to keep him and build their rotation around him.

The sooner Detroit gives up their delusions of grandeur the better. They need to sell everyone who isn’t nailed down before the trade deadline.

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