Detroit Tigers: August Trade Targets

Detroit Tigers players have been in excellent form lately. Detroit has won 10 of their last 14 games to move 10 games over .500. However, no team is perfect. Here are some August trade targets.

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila stood pat at the August 1, non-waiver trade deadline, opting to hold on to the team’s best young pitchers. Even though the non-waiver deadline is behind us, the Tigers can still make moves in August.

Avila and company will have to navigate the waiver process, but if they can do so, there are quality pieces to be found.

This is Detroit’s chance to add a few extra pieces at prices that are hopefully lower than they were at the non-waiver trade deadline. The Tigers could use an extra reliever and potentially another starting pitcher. Another reserve bat probably wouldn’t hurt, but Tyler Collins’ recent emergence has helped the bench outlook greatly.

In all likelihood, the Tigers probably aren’t going to find an impact pitcher on the market. An August trade is more likely to net a complimentary piece than an major contributor, but the potential to find a quality player still remains.

Here are some August trade targets for Detroit.

Danny Valencia, Oakland A’s INF/OF

At 31, Valencia probably isn’t part of the long-term outlook in the Bay Area. The A’s have opted to go with Ryon Healy at the hot corner as of late.

While he’s seen most of his time at third base, Valencia can play a number of positions. The former Blue Jay has also seen time at first base, second base and in both outfield corners. With a .301 batting average, 38 RBI and 27 extra-base hits in 81 games, he’s essentially a better hitting version of Mike Aviles.

What’s more, the utility player is controllable through next season. If Detroit can get a hold of him through the waiver process, he would provide Brad Ausmus with a versatility and extra pop off the bench.

Jorge De La Rosa, Colorado Rockies SP

On an expiring contract, Jorge De La Rosa could be an interesting addition for the stretch run should Colorado look to sell.

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The 35-year-old blow anyone away with his numbers this season (5.51 ERA and 4.94 FIP in 85 innings pitched), but he has a track record of contributing quality innings despite making half of his starts in Coors Field.

From 2013 to 2015, De La Rosa pitched to a 3.92 ERA in 501 innings pitched. If he can provide similar production in Detroit, he would make an ideal addition to take the pressure off the likes of Mike Pelfrey, Anibal Sanchez, Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd.

Daniel Hudson, Arizona Diamondbacks RP

Despite posting a 7.22 ERA in 38.2 innings pitched, Daniel Hudson represents a potentially intriguing bullpen addition.

Hudson’s FIP and SIERA numbers show he’s much better than his ERA would suggest. The right-hander owns a 4.53 FIP and a 4.17 SIERA. By comparison, Kyle Ryan and Alex Wilson have SIERAs of 4.03 and 4.19 respectively.

Just last season, the former White Sox hurler pitched to a 3.86 ERA, a 3.49 FIP and a 3.36 SIERA. On an expiring, team-friendly contract (per Spotrac), Hudson would likely pitch in a role similar to Wilson and Ryan by providing work in the middle innings of games.

If he pitches like he did in 2015, Hudson could potentially work himself into the mix to pitch the seventh inning along with the likes of Justin Wilson and Bruce Rondon.

Jeremy Hellickson, Philadelphia Phillies SP

It surprised many that the rebuilding Phillies didn’t deal Hellickson. The right-hander owns a solid 3.70 ERA in 131.1 innings pitched and is a free agent after the season.

The starter would have to get through the waiver process for Detroit to acquire him. For as unlikely as that is—the entire National League would essentially get a shot at Hellickson before anyone in the American League could claim him to work out a deal—there is no denying the potential fit in Detroit.

Next: JV Was AL's Best SP in July

In addition to providing quality innings down the stretch, the former Ray would slot in behind Justin Verlander, Michael Fulmer and Jordan Zimmermann in a four-man, October rotation. That group could do some serious damage in the playoffs.