The Detroit Tigers can give up on the idea of going anywhere in 2021, and these three players should be traded to accelerate the rebuild.
With an 8-19 record entering Saturday, the Detroit Tigers are headed for another dismal season. Last year’s shortened season was sort of promising for a time, but the team’s last season with even a .400 winning percentage or better was 2016.
The Tigers are well-positioned for the future though, with a top-end farm system (No. 2 by MLB.com entering the season), a bushel of young pitching and money to theoretically spend down the road. Having the No. 1 overall pick in two of the last three years, and other picks in the top-10, has been helpful to the youth movement.
But the Tigers have some veterans on the roster who could be trade bait as the trade deadline starts to get closer. Miguel Cabrera isn’t going anywhere, due primarily to the remainder of his bloated contract, but virtually anyone else who’s a little older or on a short deal has to be in play.
To really jump start their rebuild, the Tigers should trade these three players in short order.
3
Robbie Grossman
OF/DH. Detroit Tigers
Grossman signed a two-year, $10 million deal with the Tigers this offseason. He has split his time so far this season between the corner outfield spot and DH, and he’s been the regular leadoff man for manager A.J. Hinch.
A 7-for-37 streak entering Saturday has dropped his batting average to .212 on the season. But Grossman is getting on base at a solid clip again (.358 OBP), with four steals in as many attempts, five extra base hits and seven RBI.
As a switch-hitting extra outfielder who produces roughly league average offense, Grossman could have some value to contending teams. The Tigers should be hoping he gets on something resembling a hot streak.