Detroit Tigers: Buying Low as a Trade Strategy

Michael Pineda, New York Yankees Starting Pitcher

Of the pitchers listed here, Pineda is probably the least likely to be moved. However, per ESPN, the 44-44 Yankees are split on whether to sell or buy at the deadline.

Should New York end up selling, Pineda would make an excellent addition to the Tigers.

Touted as a future ace when he came up with the Seattle Mariners, Pineda started his career by making the All-Star team and posting a 3.42 FIP and 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

His results have been somewhat mixed since making the move to the Bronx. Pineda is 20-23 with a 4.09 ERA in 332.1 innings for the Yankees since 2014. At first glance, his numbers are even worse this season, as his ERA has risen to 5.38.

Still, there are plenty of reasons to believe Pineda could thrive with the Tigers. The starter has the joint-highest BABIP in the American League at .349, while he also leads the American League with 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings. Additionally, Pineda’s 3.79 FIP is extremely encouraging.

If the Yankees become sellers, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the team deal players like Andrew Miller and C.C. Sabathia—not to mention upcoming free agents like Carlos Beltran, Aroldis Chapman and Ivan Nova. If Miller and Sabathia are dealt, the team will have some significant money coming off the books before free agency begins. In addition to Beltran, Chapman and Nova, Mark Teixeira’s monster contract expires following the season.

With so much money to play with ahead of next season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Yankees completely reload in the offseason. There may not be room for Pineda if the team seeks rotation upgrades. New York will also need to clear a rotation spot for Luis Severino at some point.

Next: 4 In-Depth Potential Moves That Will Detroit Now & Later

A deal sending prospects Austin Kubitza and Zach Shepherd to the Bronx would work well for both parties.