Detroit Tigers: Trade Deadline Lacks Excitement

Trade deadline talk can create exciting conversation for Detroit Tigers fans; but according to the man who makes the decisions, nothing will be happening.

Al Avila told the media, as reported by Anthony Fenech with the Detroit Free Press: “I’m not going to be real sexy at the trade deadline…You’re looking for a big trade. But I’m not anticipating that this year.”

Is Avila telling the truth?

The rumor mill continues to spin as the August 1 trade deadline approaches. Even if the Tigers do not sign any new players, the team will seem brand new when injured teammates eventually return to Comerica Park.

Those players include right-fielder and power-hitter J.D. Martinez as well as starting ace pitcher Jordan Zimmermann. Many are also anticipating the return of Daniel Norris to the rotation. The return of Martinez means that Mike Aviles will return to the bench and that Anibal Sanchez can return to the bullpen.

It is no secret that the Tigers have had struggles with their fourth and fifth starters. Mike Pelfrey has very few wins and way too many allowed hits and runs. And the fifth starter has not been set in stone all season. Avila addressed filling this role at the Trade Deadline, he said: “The asking price is too high, even for a fifth starter…Nothing has come up where we feel good that we can get the guy and he’d be the difference.”

The fifth starter options are few and far between. To make matters worse, the Tigers are not the only team that needs starting pitching help. This means that the available pitchers will be sold off at a premium. Since the Tigers already have one of the largest contract obligations in the MLB, it will be difficult for the team to part with more money and more importantly, prospects.

After Dave Dombrowski decimated the minor leagues to stock the Tigers with veteran players, Al Avila has managed to add some potential stars to the minor league teams. These young pitchers, hitters, and fielders are providing some excitement in the lower levels of the Tigers system and in the years to come.

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Despite the fact that the Tigers are still six games back of the AL Central-leading Cleveland Indians, the fact that Martinez, Zimmermann, and Norris are on the way back offer hope. Martinez will add a much-needed bat and quality playing in the outfield. Zimmermann will be sure to get more wins than Sanchez and Pelfrey. The same goes for Norris (if he can remain healthy).

Al Avila is hoping that these three men will be the difference that the Tigers need to catch up to the Indians and make their way to the playoffs.

Even Brad Ausmus thinks the team is in a better spot that it was at the Trade Deadline in 2015. He told Anthony Fenech with the Detroit Free Press: “I think we have a couple things better positioned than we did a year ago despite the fact we don’t have David Price. It’s similar, but I feel like it’s a slightly better position now from a health point, for sure.”

Next: Drew Storen is Worth a Look

The rumors abound with everything from buying starting pitchers to selling starting pitchers. Some have even suggested selling off players like Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera. These rumors make the discussion exciting, but Al Avila has been shown that he is a man of his word. If he says he’s doing nothing, then he’s probably doing nothing.