Detroit Tigers Trade Deadline: GM Al Avila makes just one deal

It was a very eventful MLB trade deadline this past Friday, but the Detroit Tigers remained fairly quiet only making one deal.

General manager Al Avila basically decided to stand pat as the Detroit Tigers sit 8.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot in the American League.  Are the Tigers poised to make a run at the last playoff spot? No.  And that has me wondering why Avila wasn’t able to do more.

The Detroit Tigers decided to hold onto the versatile Jonathan Schoop who is enjoying another very good season with the organization.  Schoop is set to become a free agent at the conclusion of the 2021 season and recently hired Scott Boras to represent him.  You know what that means, right?  Cha-ching.

Boras and former Tigers owner Mike Ilitch created a tremendous relationship in the mid-00s, but since Mike’s passing, things have been quite different within the organization.  I expect Schoop will price himself out of Detroit on the open market but if the offers suddenly dry up, surely the Tigers will be open for another reunion.

The Detroit Tigers sent 28-year old pending free agent pitcher Daniel Norris to Milwaukee.

The Tigers decided to stand firm regarding other potential trade targets such as Robbie Grossman, Jose Cisnero, and perhaps closer Gregory Soto.

Take a look at what Daniel Norris, Avila, and A.J. Hinch had this to say after the transaction had been made via the Detroit Free Press.

"“The last couple years, it kind of comes up and you’re waiting to hear something,” Norris said. “This year, I heard something. A lot of mixed emotions. I’m very excited for the opportunity … but at the same time, it’s hard.”“He didn’t want to go,” Tigers general manager Al Avila said.“He loved being a Tiger,” manager AJ Hinch said. “Who knows, maybe he’s a Tiger again someday. It doesn’t close the door at all. It just closes the door for the next couple of months.”“What the city embodies is hard work and grit,” Norris said. “I think that’s what this team shows this year, and it’s what I’ve always felt being here. It’s something I’ll never forget. It’s taught me so much as a human, not only on the field but as a human and who you are in your day-to-day life.”"

It’s crazy to think that the left-hander nicknamed the ‘van man’ has been in the Tigers organization for the past seven years.  It feels like just yesterday he had been acquired by Detroit from the Toronto Blue Jays in the David Price deal.  Detroit also acquired Matthew Boyd in the same transaction.

While battling a plethora of injuries during his time with the Tigers, Norris transitioned from being a below-average starting pitcher to a useful but not elite piece in Detroit’s bullpen.

Throughout his seven seasons with Detroit, Norris went 18-33 with an ERA of 4.59 to go along with a WHIP of 1.389 and FIP of 4.27.  In 460.2 innings of work as a member of the Tigers, he allowed 488 hits while striking out 428 batters.

In 2021, Norris has pitched to a 5.89 ERA in 38 appearances but has been much better of late.  Left-handed arms are always at a premium at the deadline, and Norris does bring some flexibility to the Brewers as he can perform as a situational lefty, a long reliever, an opener, or a spot starter.

In return, the Tigers landed a 22-year old pitcher, Reese Olson, who has made 14 starts in Single-A for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.  Olson owns a 5-4 record with a 4.30 ERA.  He’s fanned 79 hitters over 69 innings of work.  Olson is expected to be promoted to Detroit’s Double-A Erie club.