Detroit Tigers Trade Rumors: Chicago Cubs interested in Castellanos

Trade rumors surrounding the Detroit Tigers are sure to become more serious as the deadline approaches, and recent reports concerning one of the team’s top hitters seem to hold some weight.

The relationship between Nicholas Castellanos and the Detroit Tigers organization has seemed rocky all season long. Set to reach free agency at the end of the season, the 27-year-old outfielder is most certainly on the Tigers’ trading block but has seemingly garnered limited interest, at least until now.

According to a report from Chris McCosky of The Detroit News on Sunday afternoon, the Chicago Cubs have emerged as a “serious suitor” for Castellanos. McCosky’s source is anonymous but confirmed Chicago’s interested in acquiring a corner outfielder such as Castellanos at the deadline, with Cubs scouts following him over the past week.

Chicago does have limited help in the outfield, so adding Castellanos as an everyday option in right field could be exactly what they are looking for. With his .280 BA and MLB-leading 33 doubles, his bat on the right side of the plate could also fill a somewhat major hold for the Cubs.

McCosky does point out that the Detroit Tigers do lack some leverage in negotiating a trade for Castellanos. However, he does mention that the team could offer to pay the outfielder’s remaining salary for the season in exchange for a better return in the trade.

The Cubs do not have the deepest of farm systems, with only two prospects currently ranked in the top 100 by MLB Pipeline. Detroit could target C Miguel Amaya, the number two ranked prospect in Chicago’s system, but that may seem a bit too high to ask for Castellanos, who will likely serve as just a late-season rental for the Cubs.

It’s tough to estimate what Avila might be looking for in return for Castellanos, but given his pending free agency, it should certainly not be as high as the apparent asking price for Matthew Boyd or Shane Greene. One or two of the Cubs’ top 30 prospects in the 15-30 range could make for a solid deal.

Who knows if the Detroit Tigers will really end up trading Castellanos, as there is always the possibility of receiving a compensatory first-round draft pick if he leaves in free agency. With just over a week left until the deadline, it will be interesting for Tigers fans to wait and watch how things turn out.