Tigers should have one surprise impact trade on their radar that won't cost them much

Heading into the All-Star break, it felt like everything was going swimmingly for the Detroit Tigers. AJ Hinch's team owned a 59-38 record and was 11½ games up on their closest competition in the AL Central. With the trade deadline just hours away, the Tigers still own a comfortable lead in the division, but now share the top spot in the American League with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Detroit's rotation has hit a snag in recent weeks. Reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal is still dominating the competition, but the rotation as a whole has posted a 4.46 ERA over the past two weeks. The Tigers may need to find some reinforcements at the deadline, and San Diego Padres' starter Dylan Cease is drawing considerable trade attention.

Cease is not playing up to the level he did in 2024. Finishing in fourth-place for the NL Cy Young vote a year ago, Cease is 3-10 this season with the Padres and owns a rather mundane 4.79 ERA. His 3.64 FIP, however, suggests that he may have encountered some bad luck along the way this season.

Tigers should be eyeing Padres starter Dylan Cease at the MLB trade deadline

Cease still possesses frontline stuff and has the ability to strike out nearly every batter he faces. The right-hander owns an outstanding 29.9% strikeout rate this season, which ranks among the best in baseball.

So why are the Padres, who are still in the playoff hunt, looking to deal one of their top starters? San Diego is reportedly seeking to upgrade their lineup for a postseason run, and with Cease set to become a free agent this next winter, Padres' GM A.J. Preller is willing to roll the dice. Rumor has it that the Friars are seeking an MLB-caliber outfielder or catcher in return for Cease.

Detroit should be taking a look at nearly every starter who's deemed available at this year's deadline — and that includes Cease. Though lesser pitchers might not cost as much in a trade as Cease, there are few impact arms who are within reach ahead of Thursday's deadline.

The Tigers undoubtedly have the prospect capital to pull off such a move, though it sounds like Preller and the Padres' front office are looking for Major League talent. Still, Tigers' top exec Scott Harris should at least kick the tires, and see what a potential Cease to Detroit trade could look like. The Tigers have six outfielders rostered at the moment and Parker Meadows is on the IL. They also have Justyn-Henry Malloy and Akil Baddoo at Triple-A. Maybe not the best group, but there's certainly a way to get a deal done.

Having a 1-2 punch of Skubal and Cease atop the Tigers' playoff rotation would give Detroit quite the advantage once October rolls around.

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