MLB Trade Deadline Grades: Detroit Tigers Earn A

Jan 26, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski talks about signing Prince Fielder (not pictured) at a press conference in the Tiger Club at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Dave Dombrowski went into the trade deadline looking for bullpen help and he ended up getting a shortstop too.  According to a blog by Danny Knobler of CBS, Dombrowski has been looking for a shortstop of the future since spring training.  No deal seemed possible until the Red Sox came calling.  The Red Sox were trying to trade Iglesias to the White sox and according to Knobler, Avisail Garcia saved the deal.

"Dombrowski had let the Red Sox know repeatedly that he had interest in Iglesias, but no deal seemed possible until the Red Sox and White Sox ran into trouble coming up with a match on Jake Peavy. The White Sox already have Alexei Ramirez, and their scouts didn’t value Iglesias nearly as highly as the Tigers scouts did. But because Dombrowski had stayed on the Iglesias trail, the Tigers were a natural to be brought in as the third team in the deal. The Red Sox got the top starter they needed, and the White Sox got a group of prospects topped by Garcia."

The deal for Iglesias at the deadline was literally turning lemons into lemonade. With Peralta’s status for the remainder of 2013 uncertain and free agency pending at the end of the season, Dombrowski was able to fill a gapeing hole this year and solidify the future up the middle.

Jose Veras was another great get for Double D.  Veras is having a great season after being given the closer role in Houston.  Now he gets to pitch for a contender in pressure situations.  It has been a long road for the 32-year-old reliever who has had an up and down career until he put it all together this season.  Vera will pitch the 7th inning according to Dave Dombrowski who stated in a post trade press conference that the team is comfortable with Symly in the set-up role and Joaquin Benoit as the closer.

The Tigers got two quaility players to help them in their quest to win a world series.  One of those players (Iglesias) figures to be a contributor to the team for years to come.  Although Avisail Garcia may come back to haunt the Tigers next year and beyond, the cost to obtain Iglesias and Veras was minimal.  Prized prospects Nick Castellanos, Hernan Perez and James McCann are still in the system and a big part of the Tigers future.

MLB TRADE DEADLINE GRADE: A