Detroit Tigers: Five Players Who Could be Traded at the Deadline

Jun 18, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Justin Upton (8) is congratulated by third baseman Nick Castellanos (9) and left fielder Steven Moya (33) after hitting a home run against the Kansas City Royals in the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Justin Upton (8) is congratulated by third baseman Nick Castellanos (9) and left fielder Steven Moya (33) after hitting a home run against the Kansas City Royals in the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Tigers
Jul 1, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Nick Castellanos (9) at bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Nick Castellanos

2016 has been the breakout year everyone hoped for out of Nick Castellanos. Picking up where he left off after a strong finish to 2015, he’s already set a career high in home runs with 17 and put up nearly 2.0 WAR in the season’s first half.

With three additional years of team control remaining, an improved Castellanos is still very much a part of the Tigers’ position play core going forward but, if the Tigers decide to sell this year, one has to wonder whether the next division-winning Tigers team can be assembled before he hits free agency after the 2019 season.

With all those years of control remaining and a burgeoning bat — he’s out-hit third base luminaries such as Nolan Arenado, Evan Longoria, and Adrian Beltre over the past calendar year according to wRC+ — his trade value might never be higher.

Next: Ian Kinsler