Detroit Tigers: 4 Moves That Will Help Team Now and Later

Detroit Tigers players have guided the team to a 46-43 record. Detroit is in the thick of the playoff race, but could use some additions. The Tigers also need pieces for the future. Here are four moves that could help.

Detroit Tigers young players have excelled so far this season. It may sound surprising to someone unfamiliar with the Tigers, but Detroit fans know it to be true.

Michael Fulmer may just vault himself into the Cy Young discussion if he can post similar numbers in the second half to those that he put up before the All-Star Game. The future ace is 9-2 with a 2.11 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 76.2 innings pitched.

Fulmer is just 23-years-old, while Nick Castellanos (24) is having a tremendous, breakout season. The third baseman has already eclipsed his career-high total for home runs with 17 in only 85 games. He’s also added 51 RBI, 19 doubles and a .302 batting average.

Fellow 24-year-old Steven Moya (.839 OPS, 11 extra-base hits and 11 RBI in 25 games) and 25-year-old Bruce Rondon (3.72 ERA, 10 strikeouts in 9.2 innings pitched) have both shown well in limited playing time. Daniel Norris (23) and Matt Boyd (25) have also had their moments.

The Tigers have a solid young core to build around, but the team could use more impact players to carry the team in the future. Prospects like Matt Manning, JaCoby Jones, Christin Stewart, Kyle Funkhouser and Joe Jimenez all possess the potential to be impact performers at the Major-League level, but more depth and quality is needed in the Detroit organization.

The team obviously needs more in the way of young talent, but Detroit can’t throw away the current season either by selling off pieces. The Tigers have a chance at the playoffs, and with aging stars on the roster, Brad Ausmus and Al Avila should aim for the World Series.

Here are four moves the team can make that will help them now and later.