Insider Pegs 7 Detroit Tigers Who Could Be Dealt At Deadline

The Detroit Tigers are at .500, sitting 5.5 games back of a Wild Card spot. Do they want to push forward to try to get into the postseason for the first time in 10 years, or should they face the reality that they are not a true contender and sell at the trade deadline once again?

If it's the latter, then the Tigers have some decent pieces to trade for some assets, and baseball insider Jeff Passan lists seven players who should be on the block in July:

Jack Flaherty: The former Cy Young contender is nearly all the way back to his top-of-the-rotation self this season, with a 3.22 ERA, an 0.96 WHIP and a league-leading 94 strikeouts. He's a free agent after the season.
Mark Canha: Another impending UFA, Canha is an on-base machine, and was a successful trade addition at the '23 deadline for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Gio Urshela: great versatility, can help teams all over the infield
Jason Foley: The Tigers closer has 12 saves and a 3.18 ERA
Alex Lange: Last year's closer (26 saves) still has big stuff, but is having control issues this season, with over 8 walks per nine innings
Will Vest: Reliever with 3.16 ERA
Alex Faedo: Another bullpen arm having a strong season

All of the relievers on this list have three more years of club control after '24.

Certainly, the Tigers have taken another nice step towards respectability this season for the second straight year, but let's face it, they're not a true contender just yet, and it would be silly to hang on to the American League's strikeout leader, for instance (Flaherty) and/or some of those strong bullpen arms—all of whom will be in big demand at the deadline—and forego the boatload of assets they could score in return to continue their progression.