Detroit Tigers Fire Sale Candidates

May 26, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Joakim Soria (38) throws a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the ninth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Detroit Tigers defeated the Oakland Athletics 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Joakim Soria

Once again Joakim Soria is a guy that is a free agent after this year and is probably not coming back because manager Brad Ausmus and the Detroit Tigers never seem to know how to use him.

Coming over in a trade last year with the Texas Rangers, he moved from the role of closer with his old club to the role of…uh….um….hmmm….for the Tigers.

Even though Joe Nathan and Joba Chamberlain were repeatedly dumping in their beds, Soria was used sparingly and was hit hard because of no clear role with the team.

It is clear that Soria can be a very effective closer if utilized properly. In the closer’s role after Nathan’s injury, Soria has often been lights out, posting a 2.56 ERA with a 0.947 WHIP. He has recorded 17 saves in 19 chances.

He did have a rough recent go of it, allowing homers in four straight games and five of six, but that was in a stretch in which the Tigers were not in save situations and using him in blowout games when they could. In fact from May 28 to June 20, a span of roughly three weeks, he appeared in just five games. It is awfully tough not to get rusty in that situation.

Closers usually fetch a very good return at the trading deadline, even ones with expiring contracts. The versatility with Soria is that he’d be just as comfortable sliding into a setup role for his new team as well, perhaps doubling his value.

Aside from Price and Cespedes,  it is hard to think of a Tiger with more value than Soria at the trading deadline.

Possible teams for Soria: Blue Jays, Cubs, Royals

Replacement for Soria: Bruce Rondon, Angel Nesbitt, Alberto Cabrera

Next: Tigers have abundance of trade deadline candidates