Heading into the 2022 Major League Baseball season, many believed that by the time the trade deadline rolled around that the Detroit Tigers would be in a position to be buyers.
Unfortunately, the midway point of the season has come and gone and the Tigers are nowhere near being in a position to add players prior to the August 2 MLB trade deadline.
Instead, there has been plenty of chatter about the Tigers being sellers, though GM Al Avila has said he will not part ways with anyone who believes is part of the team’s future.
2 Detroit Tigers included as Top 10 trade candidates
In an article put out by MLB Trade Rumors, Steve Adams and Anthony Franco teamed up to rank the Top 50 trade candidates as the trade deadline approaches and two Detroit Tigers pitchers made the Top 10.
Those pitchers are Michael Fulmer, who comes in at No. 9, and Andrew Chafin, who is No. 10 on the list.
Here is some of what Adams and Franco have to say about Fulmer and Chafin: Click here to read the rest, along with what they have to say about Joe Jimenez, who came in at No. 34 in the rankings.
9. Michael Fulmer, RHP, Tigers:
Fulmer, somewhat remarkably, has given up just one “barreled” ball this season (as defined by Statcast), and he’s in the 87th percentile or better in each of Statcast’s hard-hit rate, expected batting average, expected slugging percentage, expected ERA and expected wOBA. He’s been operating as a setup man to Gregory Soto this season but would be a closing option on several contenders.
10. Andrew Chafin, LHP, Tigers:
Though he missed three weeks with a groin strain back in April, Chafin has been outstanding out of AJ Hinch’s bullpen. In 24 2/3 innings, he has a 2.55 ERA with a career-best 30.6% strikeout rate against a better-than-average 7.1% walk rate. His 53.4% ground-ball rate is his best since 2017. He’s been every bit as good against righties as he has against lefties. The player option effectively makes Chafin a rental, because unless he gets injured, he’s going to decline that guaranteed year and return to the market in search of another multi-year deal — which he should absolutely find. For now, he’s the best lefty reliever on the trade market (again).
Nation, do you think the Detroit Tigers will trade Michael Fulmer, Andrew Chafin, or Joe Jimenez prior to the MLB trade deadline?
