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MLB Trade Rumors: Detroit Tigers Need A Left Handed Bat At Deadline

By Tony Fischer

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Jul 19, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus (7) during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

When evaluating the Detroit Tigers needs at the trade deadline the baseball world seems to be focused on the bullpen.  There is no doubt the bullpen must be upgraded but the Tigers have another need just as important.

A left-handed bat.

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    • The Detroit Tigers are planning on Andy Dirks returning to the line-up this season but after recovering from back-surgery the timeline on Dirks is unclear. And as Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports points out in his latest article, the Tigers bats from the left-side leave a lot to be desired.

    "The Tigers’ imbalanced lineup remains another issue – with Andy Dirks still recovering from back surgery, the team has only two left-handed hitters, catcher Alex Avila and utility man Don Kelly, and two switch-hitters, designated hitter Victor Martinez and backup infielder Andrew Romine."

    Getting a  left-handed bat on the MLB Trade market won’t be easy.  Sure there are plenty of left-handed hitters available but none that readily fit into the Tigers line-up without moving one of their regular everyday players.

    Normally the easy places to plug-in another bat through a trade is usually at the corners, DH or in the outfield.  The problem is the Tigers are already dedicated to their DH and corner infield positions. Ruling out Designated Hitters like the power hitting Adam Dunn.

    They could make room in the outfield but would have to move one of the players already sharing time. If the Tigers were to acquire a left-handed bat it will likely be at the expense of a player fans know and love like Rajaj Davis or Austin Jackson.

    Keep checking with Detroit Jock City for all the latest MLB Trade Rumors regarding your Detroit Tigers

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