The question about whether or not the Detroit Tigers are buyers or sellers has reportedly been answered – they’re selling. Specifically, they’re “rebooting” and listening on some of their impending free agents, including both David Price and Yoenis Cespedes.
Dombrowski confirms: Tigers are “rebooting,” will listen on trades for pending free agents.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) July 29, 2015
From ESPN’s Jayson Stark…
Confirming an ESPN.com report, general manager Dave Dombrowski said he told multiple teams Wednesday afternoon that the Detroit Tigers will listen on all their potential free agents — Price, Cespedes, closer Joakim Soria and others — between now and Friday’s trade deadline.
[…]
“We’re only going to make a trade if we think it makes sense for us,” the GM said, according to MLB.com. “But we think it gives us a chance to restock our club.”
And…it begins.
The Tigers have six free agents this winter – the aforementioned Price, Cespedes, and Soria, along with starter Alfredo Simon, catcher Alex Avila, and outfielder Rajai Davis. All of these players have varying levels of value, with Price, Cespedes, and Soria commanding the biggest returns on the market.
Price immediately becomes the best pitcher available on the trade market, and if he’s traded this week, he’ll be set up for an incredible payday this winter since he won’t be subject to a qualifying offer. He won’t come cheap, though – his salary this season is $19.75 million, and through 21 starts, he has a career best 2.53 ERA.
Cespedes is making $10.75 million this year, and has launched 17 homers while hitting .289/.320/.497 in his first season as a Tiger. But a clause in his contract requires Cespedes to be released once the 2015 season concludes, preventing him from both receiving a qualifying offer and from being re-signed by his team. Thus, he would truly be a rental, unless a team could work out a very quick contract extension with him (which seems very unlikely).
Soria is in the midst of a rough season for the Tigers, despite a solid 2.85 ERA and 23 saves compared to just three blown saves. His strikeout rate of 7.90 batters per nine innings is a career-worst, and he’s given up a career-worst eight homers on the season. His salary this season is just $7 million.
Simon is making $5.55 million this season, which is also his first as a Tiger. He’s also struggled this year, pitching to a 4.46 ERA in 111 innings. In his last ten starts, however, Simon’s ERA is an ugly 6.37. He could be a possibility for a team looking at back-end upgrades in case a Mike Leake-type is too expensive (in both salary and prospects).
Avila is also struggling for the Tigers this year, hitting .185/.326/.277 with three homers in 40 games. Recent issues with concussions are making his future behind the plate doubtful. He’s making $5.4 million this season.
Finally, there’s Davis, making $5 million this season. He’s been a solid fourth outfielder for Detroit this year, hitting .254/.311/.397 with two homers and 14 steals. Need bench help? Davis could be one of the best bench outfielders on the market.
This is going to be very interesting – Detroit could end up bringing in plenty of prospects, revamping a wretched farm system, and putting themselves into position to contend next season. Or, they could execute a few half measures and continue their slide down the AL Central standings. Buckle up, folks.
[ESPN]
