2 Tigers trade targets the Cardinals will want after this series

Michael Fulmer will add a stabilizing presence to the Cardinals pitching staff

One player who could be the biggest name dealt by the Tigers this summer is right-handed pitcher Michael Fulmer. The 2016 AL Rookie of the Year was an All-Star starting pitcher with Detroit in 2017. He had made 85 starts in his first four seasons with the Tigers before entering the bullpen out of necessity this season. Fulmer has not skipped a beat since making the transition to the pen.

So far this season, he has a 3.55 ERA and a 1.263 WHIP in 38.0 innings pitched over 23 appearances. Only four of those appearances have been starts for the Tigers. While he is under contract through next season, Fulmer is arbitration-eligible this upcoming offseason. If he goes to a contending team and thrives, his value will go up considerably heading into a contract year.

What the Cardinals have to like about Fulmer is he can do any number of things at a high level on the mound. Whether they need a guy to hunker down out of the bullpen and save some games, or have a guy toe the rubber every fifth day to give them innings, Fulmer has shown the ability to do that. Even if St. Louis has interest in him, there will be other teams around baseball in the mix too.

Overall, the Cardinals are not going to be capable of truly swinging for the fences to improve their roster like they did trading for Arenado with the Colorado Rockies over the offseason. However, they could be in the market to upgrade their outfield depth with someone like Grossman, as well as improve the pitching staff in some capacity with a versatile pitcher like Fulmer who does it all.

If the Cardinals do make a trade for a Tigers player or two, it just might be for Fulmer or Grossman.