As it started to become apparent that the Detroit Tigers were likely to be sellers at the MLB trade deadline, many names started being tossed around. Some of those names were anticipated to be included in trade talks, including Justin Verlander, Ian Kinsler, Justin Wilson, J.D. Martinez, and Alex Avila, just to name a few.
But one name that was not expected thrown into the mix is Michael Fulmer. Not only is Fulmer the Tigers best starting pitcher at this point but he is still only 24-years-old and under team control for the foreseeable future.
Of course, rumors involving Fulmer were created by MLB insiders and not Tigers GM Al Avila.
Well, on Monday, Avila joined MLB Network’s High Heat and gave his thoughts on the Fulmer trade talks.
Quotes from The Detroit News:
“Fulmer’s been a guy who has attracted a lot of attention,” Avila told host Christopher Russo. “It’s muddied the waters a little bit. Now there is speculation that we have him out there and we don’t. But you can’t stop a team from calling and inquiring.”
“We’re not going to be so naïve to where we say we’re not even going to listen,” he said. “I’ve learned many, many years ago, if you can get two Michael Fulmers for one, it’s a pretty good trade.
“But the probability of that kind of trade happening is probably zero. It’s all speculation at this point. Obviously, you can never say never, but at the same time, it’s not probable at this point.”
According to those quotes, right from the horse’s mouth, it sure sounds like Fulmer will be a Tiger moving forward…unless somebody has “two Fulmers” to trade for him.
That is unlikely.
