What the Lucas Giolito trade could mean for the Detroit Tigers

Late last night, the Los Angeles Angels acquired SP Lucas Giolito and RP Reynaldo Lopez from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for catching prospect Edgar Quero — a top 100 prospect — and pitching prospect Ky Bush. Both players were top prospects in the Angels organization, and both players the Angels acquired are rentals.

This was the first real trade domino to fall this season. Giolito is a free agent at the end of the year and has a 3.79 ERA and 131 strikeouts in 121 IP this season. Lopez, also a free agent at season's end, has a 4.29 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 42 IP out of the bullpen for the White Sox.

The Angels paid a pretty hefty price to get these players. They also took Shohei Ohtani off the trade market, so they're all in for the 2023 season. So how does this affect the Detroit Tigers?

Well, they could very easily pull off a very similar trade with either Eduardo Rodriguez or Michael Lorenzen. Both are rental starting pitchers who are having great seasons. They could pair someone like Jose Cisnero with them to enhance the return.

If a top 100 prospect plus another decent prospect is indeed the going rate for a rental starter and a throw-in reliever, then that could be great news for the Tigers. Scott Harris could get a haul, and some of the teams that are going to be buyers this season have loaded farm systems.

If the Tigers are able to pull off a trade with a team like the Reds, Orioles, or Diamondbacks, they could get a really nice prospect or two in return. The Tigers farm system isn't terrible, but it could still use all the help it can get.

Things are finally starting to pick up at the MLB trade deadline. We may finally know what the Tigers could get in return in a trade. It'll be interesting to see what happens.