Detroit Tigers: Five hypothetical trade candidates

Detroit Tigers fans have seen the team look promising at times and struggle at others. Detroit is 38-48 with a -33 run differential. If the team trades away some pieces, here’s who could conceivably be dealt.

Detroit Tigers players have had an up-and-down season.

Some, like Alex Avila (159 wRC+, .966 OPS) and Justin Upton (.239 ISO, .855 OPS), are turning in strong, bounce-back campaigns.

Meanwhile, some players have struggled.

Justin Verlander has seen his run-prevention numbers balloon, notching a 5.03 xFIP, a 4.73 ERA and a 4.29 FIP in 104.2 innings.

Additionally, Miguel Cabrera owns an even .800 OPS, while Victor Martinez is sporting an 83 wRC+ and a -0.7 WAR.

While the Tigers certainly have plenty of time to turn things around, they’re also in a tough spot. The team is tied with the rival American League Central Chicago White Sox for the fewest wins in the American League.

In terms of Wild Card differential, Detroit is more middle of the pack in terms of Wild Card teams, but they need more consistent play to improve.

If the team does end up trading a few pieces away, here’s a look at the most likely pieces to be moved.

This is all speculative mind you. It remains to be seen just how the Detroit Tigers will navigate Major League Baseball’s annual trade deadline.

It should be noted that a partial sell-off doesn’t exactly mean the Tigers will fall completely out of it.

Last season, the New York Yankees traded away a number of young players, including Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller, Ivan Nova and Carlos Beltran.

The team went with more young players down the stretch and stuck in the Wild Card race until the season’s last few weeks.