The Detroit Tigers are approaching the trade deadline. Who knows what the organization is going to do. There have been rumors that the Tigers are not going to be active sellers and instead or going to stand pat at the deadline.
This still seems like a less than ideal decision. The Detroit Tigers could add more prospects and dump some players who likely will not even be here beyond the rebuild. The Tigers are not competing, so they certainly are not going to be adding to the roster, but they could add to the farm system.
If the Tigers were smart, they would be shipping off pieces that are not considered to be part of the long-term. There are players the team can part ways with that are not integral to the post-rebuild look of this team.
However, it’s understandable why the Tigers are cautious about moving players. The team is playing quality baseball and looking more like a competent baseball team than they have in quite some time.
Pieces are falling into place, A.J. Hinch is managing this team exceptionally well. The players are bought in, and the group is operating quite well. To keep things going smoothly, moving pieces like Robbie Grossman or Jonathan Schoop might be out of the question.
Some players being moved is just hard to pass up. But, overall, the Tigers should be selling off any of the pieces that are not viewed as integral to this team’s core or to the rebuild. While not all of these players will be tradeable, anyone that receives interest should be moved.
The trade deadline is quickly approaching, and if the Detroit Tigers want to maximize on things, there are a few players that the team should be actively shopping.
Reliever José Cisnero
As the 2021 trade deadline continues to get closer and closer, the Detroit Tigers could be shopping bullpen help. While José Cisnero may not be a top-tier reliever, a team that wants a cheap addition might be calling.
Cisnero has been money out of the bullpen for the Tigers, and the success might intrigue a team to pull the trigger on a trade. Even for a low-ceiling prospect who adds depth, moving Cisnero might not be a bad move.
In 2021, Cisnero has appeared in 43 total games where he has logged 39.1 innings pitched for the Tigers. He’s pitched to a 2.97 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP, and punched out 47 opposing hitters in the process.
Cisnero has finished off ten games this season, registering saves in four of those appearances. He’s been one of the arms that Hinch can trust coming out of the bullpen and has been able to get the job done when he’s called upon.
If the Tigers are going to move a reliever, Cisnero might have the most value. He may be on the wrong side of 30, but he’d be a great depth addition for a team on a budget. The return would not be anything to write home about, but it would likely be a depth move to add prospects to the farm system.
When the trade deadline comes, Cisnero might be on the way out if Avila chooses to explore deals offering relief help to interested teams.
Infielder Jonathan Schoop
While this is one of the fringe players for trade deadline rumors, infielder Jonathan Schoop is someone the Detroit Tigers should be shopping. There’s a distinct chance that Schoop is staying put.
He’s been a good glue for this team which has surprised many. However, the way Schoop is playing, there’s no reason not to at least gauge the offers on him. In 2021, Schoop has logged 91 games this season where he’s slashed .285/.327/.475 with 17 home runs and 58 RBI on the season.
The power boost has been great; he’s on pace to slug more than 20 home runs which might sound crazy to some Tigers fans. He’s also added versatility to his game, playing first base as well in 2021. He’s logged games at first and second base.
Schoop could add some pop and versatility to a team that needs depth in a postseason run. He’s a proven middle infielder and has also added first base to his resume. There are bound to be teams that call up Al Avila to see what the cost would be.
If Schoop is going to be moved, the Tigers should be able to add some more depth to the farm system. There are plenty of depth addition caliber players across the league; the question will be if Avila bites on a trade offer.
Personally, keeping Schoop around for the rest of the season seems like the more likely move, which seems to be the case for anyone, but Schoop is one of the players who has been performing well and deserves to be shopped, hoping a team will bite and overpay.
Starting pitcher Wily Peralta
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While the Detroit Tigers have had their share of injury issues in the summer of 2021, Wily Peralta has been money since being called up.
There’s been plenty of injury woes to the pitching staff, and Peralta has been lights out since joining the team’s rotation.
He’s pitching like he’s en route to a record-setting performance. Peralta has logged seven appearances, six of them being starts where he is 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP over 33 innings of work.
Peralta is coming off of a full season out of the game, not pitching in the big leagues for the 2020 season. His last season was in 2019 with the Kansas City Royals. In just 40.1 innings pitched in 2019, Peralta’s ERA was 5.80 while his WHIP was 1.59, quite a far cry from his performance this season.
It’s been quite the tear for Peralta, who has been pitching out of his mind lately. If Peralta continues this leading up to the trade deadline, a team may bite on him. A team looking to ride the hot hand and bring in an extra starter for depth might be in on him.
He’s 32 years old now and is not really going to be a long-term solution anywhere, but if Avila gets the option to flip him for any sort of return, he should take it.
I’ll be standing by my statement that the team is likely going to be quiet at the deadline based on some of Avila’s comments. However, if the team is active, the team needs to explore trades with these three players.
Time will tell, but the trade deadline is approaching, and Avila’s time to shine is coming.