3 reasons why the Detroit Tigers need to stand pat at the trade deadline

The Detroit Tigers are in a strange position at the moment. Usually when a team is nine games below .500 in the first half, it is pretty clear indication that a team needs to at least strongly consider being a seller at the trade deadline and look to the future. However, the Tigers play in the AL Central and that changes everything this year.

Despite the fact that the Tigers haven't been particularly good this season, they are just 4.5 games back of the division leading Minnesota Twins who are sitting at .500 and are in the middle of a series against the Atlanta Braves who have been thrashing everyone lately. Moreover, the Tigers have been playing pretty well lately as they are 6-4 in their last 10 games.

Being on the fringe of contending for a single playoff spot as the AL wild card appears to be out of reach is a really tricky position to be in. Pushing in and going for it this season may not accomplish anything at all while costing the team prospects they may need for the future. However, letting a prime opportunity to make the playoffs get completely ignored doesn't seem correct either.

Fortunately, there is a third option.

Here is why the Tigers need to stand pat at the trade deadline

Standing pat at the trade deadline is, weirdly, something that Detroit needs to consider. Normally, doing nothing at the deadline is not the correct path whatsoever for most teams. However, there are 3 specific things about the Tigers' situation that lends credence to the idea that that is exactly what they should do.