Tigers' official Max Clark roster move gives them trade deadline flexibility

Max Clark is officially a big leaguer, but his promotion could be about more than simply giving the Detroit Tigers' top prospect his first taste of the majors.

The Tigers selected Clark's contract from Triple-A Toledo on Friday, adding the 21-year-old outfielder to the major league roster for the first time in his professional career. He will wear No. 15.

To clear a spot on the active roster, Detroit placed outfielder Matt Vierling on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to July 30, with a left adductor strain. Right-hander Andre Granillo was designated for assignment to open Clark's spot on the 40-man roster.

Detroit also recalled left-hander Enmanuel DeJesus from Toledo after optioning right-hander Brenan Hanifee to Triple-A on Thursday.

Taken individually, these are mostly routine roster moves. Taken together with the trade deadline approaching, though, they give the Tigers some useful flexibility at a time when the organization appears increasingly likely to sell.

Max Clark promotion marks first visible sign that Tigers are preparing to sell at trade deadline

Tarik Skubal would obviously be the franchise-altering move if president of baseball operations Scott Harris ultimately decides to deal him, but he may not be the only Tiger attracting interest. If Detroit starts moving veterans, the front office will need active- and 40-man roster space for whatever players come back in those deals.

Friday's moves help create exactly that. Vierling's injury created the immediate opening for Clark without forcing Detroit to subtract another healthy position player. Granillo's DFA clears a 40-man spot, while Hanifee is already back in Toledo. DeJesus can also be optioned if the Tigers need another active-roster spot after a trade.

Clark himself still has minor league options, too. His arrival doesn't lock Detroit into anything. If the Tigers acquire another position player in a deadline deal or simply decide Clark's first big-league stint should be brief, they can send him back to Toledo without creating another roster crunch.

The headline is Clark, one of the organization's most important young players, reaching the majors for the first time. But the transactions surrounding his promotion also leave Harris with a cleaner roster heading into what could be an extremely active few days. And if the Tigers really are preparing to sell, that matters.

Skubal remains the name that could define Detroit's entire deadline, but a broader sell-off could involve several moving pieces. Every open roster spot and every optionable player gives the Tigers a little more room to maneuver.

Clark's promotion is exciting on its own. But the roster flexibility created around it could prove just as important if Detroit's expected deadline sell-off begins in earnest.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow