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Detroit Tigers: Francisco Liriano named a top trade candidate

By Zac Snyder

BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 28: Francisco Liriano #38 of the Detroit Tigers pitches in the third inning during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 28, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 28: Francisco Liriano #38 of the Detroit Tigers pitches in the third inning during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 28, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Francisco Liriano’s stay with the Detroit Tigers could be a short one as he’s named one of the top candidates for a trade deadline deal.

The Detroit Tigers may have already avoided the worst of fears for how their 2018 season would go so far. There will be no repeat of 2003 for the rebuilding Tigers. In fact, the team’s 24-30 record through their first 54 games means they would have to fall off to be in danger of losing 100 games this season.

Add in a weak AL Central that has the Tigers in second place heading into play on Wednesday and the season has the look of one that could exceed expectations.

That’s all well and good but it shouldn’t lead to a short-term diversion from the long-term track the Tigers are on with the current rebuild. Make no mistake, the Tigers should be sellers at the trade deadline regardless of where they find themselves in the standings.

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale is out today with his list of the top 20 players who could move by the trade deadline at the end of July and one Tiger made the list. Checking in at number seven is starting pitcher Francisco Liriano. Nightengale explains:

"Everyone is asking the Tigers for Michael Fulmer. Sorry, he’s the 25-year-old guy you want to build a rotation around, not trade away. The Tigers instead are telling teams that Liriano, 34, is readily available. He can certainly provide invaluable depth for a contender, going 3-2 with a 3.90 ERA."

Nightengale adds that the Yankees could be a good fit:

"The Yankees are going to need another starter if they’re going to hang with the Boston Red Sox. Liriano is a perfect short-term, cheap fit."

If Liriano was dealt it would mark the third year in a row he was traded during the season. Liriano was traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016, then last year went went from the Blue Jays to the Houston Astros in exchange for Nori Aoki and outfield prospect Teoscar Hernandez. Sending Aoki to the Blue Jays was a bit of a salary dump for the Astros but they did give up one of their top ten prospects in Hernandez.

The Tigers may be able to get a similar return, although any team trading for Liriano will want to see his performance continue as well as have confidence in his health. Liriano went on the 10-day disable list late last night with a strained right hamstring. With two months until the trade deadline, there should be plenty of time for any worries to be relieved.

Next: Detroit Tigers All-Time 25-Man Roster

Daniel Stumpf was also placed on the DL last night, with left-hander Ryan Carpenter and right-hander Johnny Barbato brought up from Triple-A to fill the open roster spots.

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