The Detroit Tigers are 9.5 games out of first place in the American League Central, and with star first baseman Miguel Cabrera out with an injury, they are becoming sellers at the trade deadline for the first time in years. According to USA Today, ace left-hander David Price and outfielder Yoenis Cespedes are going to be on the trade block.
Sources within the organization told USA Today’s Bob Nightengale that those two players will be available, but general manager Dave Dombrowski refused to confirm that publicly.
"At this point our focus is trying to win right now. We're trying to do everything we can to qualify for the playoffs. Things can turn dramatically over a 10-game period. But you have to play well, at some point, on a consistent basis,” Dombrowski said.
"We're at a point where we have to do what's best in our heart for the franchise."
So which teams are best suited to snap up these stars?
Suitors For David Price
Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers have a near limitless amount of money to throw at big name players, and they’ve been rumored to be in the hunt for Cole Hamels and Johnny Cueto already. Price, like Cueto, is a free agent at the end of the season so this could be a rental situation. Zack Greinke will be a free agent as well when this season is over, so L.A. may be in the mood to just spend freely and see what happens at the end.
Pittsburgh Pirates: The Pirates could do what the Milwaukee Brewers once did with CC Sabathia, and just splurge for a big time playoff push. Right now the Bucs are out front in the Wild Card race, and adding Price would make their rotation one of the Top 5 in the sport. The situation is also reminiscent of Oakland acquiring Jon Lester at last year’s deadline.
New York Yankees: Why not? The Yankees have become far more responsible financially in recent years, but they lead the American League East by four games, and could put a stranglehold on it by acquiring a battle-tested ace like Price. The Yankees’ rotation is propped up by two pitchers—Masahiro Tanaka and Michael Pineda—who could go down at any moment. It would be nice to bring in Price as an anchor. In addition, the Yankees have the resources to lock him up long term if they want to.
Suitors For Yoenis Cespedes
New York Mets: No team needs a bat like the Mets. Their offense is ranked dead last in the National League in runs per game, which is a shame because they have arguably the NL’s deepest and most talented starting rotation. Cespedes would add much-needed power to this lineup, and above-average defense, which they wouldn’t get from acquiring Justin Upton from the Padres.
Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays are surprisingly only five games behind the Yankees for the American League East lead, and they have the American League’s third-worst offense. Adding Cespedes would provide a much-needed boost to the lineup, and may not cost them a fortune in prospects because of his impending free agency. Tampa Bay likely wouldn’t re-sign him long-term, but it might be worth it for a shot at postseason play.
Chicago Cubs: Why not? Chris Coghlan is better suited as a bench player, and the Cubs’ power numbers are unspectacular. They’ve had a nice season, but are still third in the division and need a high-powered offense to fend off the sterling rotations of the Cardinals and Pirates.
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