After a two-week rough patch for the Detroit Tigers, where they lost 13 of 16 games coming out of the All-Star break, they appear to be out of their slump and hitting once again. With a nine-game lead in the American League Central, the Tigers have their eye on a deep playoff run.
Detroit has already pulled off an in-division trade with the Minnesota Twins, when just a few days ago, they acquired Chris Paddack to help bolster their rotation depth. Along with another high-leverage reliever, the Tigers could certainly use some more offense on the left side of their infield. With Minnesota selling, it provides a good opportunity for Detroit to acquire another piece from the Twins that can help improve that infield.
Willi Castro Appears to Be on the Move
Utilityman Willi Castro is one of those players who could be on the move for the Minnesota Twins, and the Detroit Tigers should certainly inquire about him. There is just one day and some change separating now and MLB’s trade deadline, but since Castro is on an expiring contract, the Twins are more willing to move him.
The Tigers have had a revolving door of players to either play shortstop or third base, and Castro has the ability to play either position at a high level. He’s been a slightly above-average hitter this season with an OPS of .762. Castro has 10 home runs and 27 extra-base hits in 84 games played.
Castro is a switch-hitter and is likely to have several other teams calling the Twins about him, so it will ultimately come down to which club can offer the most.
Some of the teams reportedly in on Castro include the Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers; however, it is anyone’s game, and the Tigers may also want a chance to acquire him. It certainly wouldn’t be a move to send shockwaves across MLB, but Castro would be a very sound addition that can anchor the left side of the infield and be a solid 7-9 bat in the order. For the Tigers, their lineup is pretty much set 1-5, so it would just be a matter of finding Castro a place past that.
What Could Detroit Give Up?
Well, this is what would make or break a deal like this. If the Minnesota Twins have several callers on Castro, the Detroit Tigers would have to outbid all the other clubs. Just looking at the teams previously mentioned, the only team with a better farm system would be the Los Angeles Dodgers, and they already have their left side of the infield locked down, and the New York Yankees just traded for Ryan McMahon.
It would likely cost the Tigers a top-fifteen prospect or so, but as long as the Twins aren’t asking for Max Clark or Kevin McGonigle, Detroit would be more apt to send away any of their other prospects. Again, the Tigers are aiming for a World Series berth right now; they are built to win right now, especially while they have ace starter Tarik Skubal under control.
As time runs out before the deadline, expect the Tigers to potentially make a series of small moves to improve the bottom part of their lineup.
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