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The trade deadline was July 30. The Detroit Tigers have 12 games left. Could they go 12-0, shoot up to 59-50, be in position to claim the final Wild Card berth, and completely defy predictions going into this year’s deadline?
Although anyone can be moved in theory between now and July 30 at six o’clock, the Tigers are primarily interested in trading players whose contracts are about to expire.
They’re at the top of our list of potential trade candidates: TRUE RENTALS These are players who will automatically be free agents at the end of the season. At the top of the list is right-hander Jack Flaherty. It’s no exaggeration to say that he’s been one of the best starting pitchers in baseball this year. But his wonky back could raise some red flags. Flaherty probably only has two starts remaining before the deadline. The Tigers will be walking a tightrope: They must show the league that he’s healthy and effective without pushing him so hard that a last-minute back flareup torpedoes their trade plans.
The other players on expiring contracts are not likely to fetch impressive returns. The best of the bunch is probably catcher Carson Kelly, although the universe of playoff-bound seeking to install a new catcher in August is usually pretty small. For that reason, there’s no guarantee he’ll be traded. After a hot start, first baseman/outfielder Mark Canha has struggled offensively. He’s also dealt with some hip and wrist issues. But he has a lengthy track record of success and a contending team seeking a right-handed bench or platoon bat could do a lot worse. The fact that he’s making $11.5 million this year (about $4 million of which would be the responsibility of his new team) could dampen his market. Third baseman Gio Urshela is similar to Canha in that he’s a proven veteran who hasn’t shown a lot of offensive pop in 2024. But he’s on a cheap contract and wouldn’t cost much.
RENTALS WITH AN OPTION Two relievers — left-hander Andrew Chafin and right-hander Shelby Miller — have team options for 2025. So although both pitchers could be marketed as rentals, their new teams could also choose to bring them back another season. (If not, Chafin would be due a buyout of $500,000 and Miller $250,000). Chafin has quietly put up the best strikeout numbers in the Tigers’ pen and could be attractive to a team searching for a middle-inning southpaw. Miller has pitched better than his 5.23 ERA indicates, but he’s probably unlikely to attract a ton of interest. UNDERWATER CONTRACTS These are players whose value is less (and in these cases, far less) than the money they are owed on their guaranteed contracts. In the unlikely event that anyone is interested in shortstop Javier Baez or right-handed pitcher Kenta Maeda, the Tigers would be all ears. (Not that it matters, but Baez does have a 10-team no-trade clause).
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