Should Detroit Tigers look to package trade pieces?

With the MLB trade deadline now less than a week away, the days are numbered for the Detroit Tigers to find deals for their most valuable trade chips.

It’s officially less than a week until the trade deadline, and Detroit Tigers fans are waiting anxiously to see what moves GM Al Avila is going to make. With big names such as Nicholas Castellanos, Shane Greene, and Matthew Boyd all on the trading block, these next few days are sure to be interesting for baseball fans in the Motor City.

Looking at the trade pieces that the Detroit Tigers hold, it seems as if finding a way to package two of those three big names in the same trade. Plenty of teams have come out as interested in what the Tigers have to offer, so Avila may look to offer a package deal in hopes of a more lucrative return.

For example, MLB.com’s Jon Morosi once again linked Shane Greene to the Dodgers on Wednesday. Though he would have to return to a setup reliever role because of Kenley Jansen’s role as LA’s closer, the Dodgers have Greene supposedly high up on their list.

If the Dodgers are looking to make a serious move to upgrade their bullpen, they could add a solid right-handed bat to the lineup as well. Castellanos leads the AL in doubles this year with 36 and could be of valuable service to the Dodgers to close out the season, especially since other NL teams such as the Chicago Cubs may be looking to pick him up to use against LA’s lefty dominant pitching in a possible postseason clash.

If Detroit managed to negotiate a package deal for Greene and Castellanos to LA, the return could be enticing. Although LA’s star middle infield prospect Gavin Lux may be untouchable, the Tigers could look at young catcher Will Smith, who hit three home runs in nine major league games with the Dodgers this year and has been solid in Triple-A Oklahoma City. Smith could serve as the centerpiece of LA’s return along with a few other middle-tier prospect pieces.

Where things get slightly more tricky is with Detroit’s lefty starter Matt Boyd. According to Morosi, the Tigers have set an extremely high price for the 28-year-old who leads the AL with a 6.46 K/BB ratio.

One possibility could be the Philadelphia Phillies, who got a first-hand look at Boyd on Tuesday night in Detroit. According to Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia, the Phillies could be eyeing both Boyd and Greene to seriously upgrade both their starting rotation and bullpen, which could mean a possible package deal.

If such a package to Philly were to take place, it’s likely Avila would ask for the organization’s top prospect, 3B Alec Bohm, in return. If the Phillies believe Bohm is untouchable, then Avila may have to look elsewhere. However, if they are seriously looking to make a run to bring a World Series to the city of brotherly love in the near future, the Phillies may consider parting ways with their top prospect in order to add two highly coveted arms.

This is still all speculation, as nobody knows where the Detroit Tigers’ trade chips will end up. Right now, package deals may allow for the best returns, so Avila should definitely look into where he can send multiple stars in one deal.