The Detroit Tigers have never looked as good coming out of the MLB trade deadline as they did this season. After many recent disappointing seasons, there’s a bit of buzz surrounding the team. The Tigers’ moves gained them recognition from just about every sports-related source nationwide at the deadline. A combination of key strategic trades and long-term planning earned them the title “Clear Winners.” Why am I making such a fuss about the Detroit Tigers trade deadline moves? Let me explain.
Detroit Tigers: Key Trades
All in all, the Tigers were mostly big sellers by the time 6:00 pm rolled around on this past Tuesday evening. Yes, some pretty big names were dealt away including some proven veterans: LF Mark Canha to the San Francisco Giants; LHRP Andrew Chafin to the defending World Series Champion Texas Rangers; C Carson Kelly also to the Texas Rangers.
These veterans were key pieces to the decent start to this year’s season for the Detroit Tigers, a big contrast to the start they got last season. At last year’s trade deadline, the Tigers held a record of 47-59. This year? 52-57. As a Tigers fan myself, I’d be lying if I didn’t question the decisions of the front office to trade away these talents.
But, these dealings brought in a few good treats that will yield results now, and in the future. These moves help in the overall rebuilding process for Detroit. In exchange for veteran LF Mark Canha, who in 93 games for the Tigers this season had a .231 batting average, 7 home runs, and 42 walks, the San Francisco Giants sent over Eric Silva, a Double-A relief pitcher. Over 28 starts this season, Silva has a 4.35 ERA.
In exchange for veteran LHRP Andrew Chafin, who was arguably one of Detroit’s most skilled and effective pitchers, the Texas Rangers sent over two minor league right-handed pitchers, Joseph Maltavo and Chase Lee. In an attempt to further beef up their roster for another deep post-season run, the Rangers also dealt the Tigers C Liam Hicks and RHP Tyler Owens in exchange for veteran catcher Carson Kelly.
Flaherty Heads Home
Arguably, the Tigers’ biggest headline in this year’s trade deadline rush was Detroit’s deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which sent veteran pitcher Jack Flaherty to his hometown in exchange for 1B/C Thayron Liranzo and SS Trey Sweeney. Flaherty had recently signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers over the off-season and was considered a “rental player”. In the first 109 games of the season, Flaherty was among the best pitchers in the MLB, only missing starts due to a back injury.
The Future is Bright
Wencel Perez. Riley Greene. Tarik Skubal. If those names aren’t striking fear into the hearts of your favorite teams already, they will be within the next 2 to 3 seasons. These three prolific players make up the Tigers’ young core and are pillars of the future of the team. Surprisingly, Skubal is still a Tiger after the deadline. Multiple national sources suggested that there was no way the Detroit Tigers would hold onto the 2024 All-Star pitcher and Cy Young award candidate. But they managed to, and they don’t regret it.
The new additions to the Detroit Tigers organization add even more depth to the team’s young talent and solidify them as playoff contenders in the years to come. Newly acquired switch hitter Liranzo is currently hitting .220 in Triple-A, though he will need a lot more development on defense before he is ready to move up to the show.
For More Great Content:
Check out all the great content Total Apex Sports has to offer. Check us out on X @TotalApexSports and our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy Sports.
