(Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
Today’s the day.
This evening, the official trade deadline will commence.
Contending teams have one more shot to put the finishing touches on their roster for the stretch run of the season, while non-contenders have a chance to maximize their returns and look toward the future.
The Detroit Tigers are a team that is looking towards the future, with starters Michael Lorenzen and Eduardo Rodriguez on the trading block.
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Detroit is expected to deal both starters prior to the 6 p.m. Eastern Time deadline.
However, Feinsand notes that the asking prices remain high on both starters as the deadline nears.
The Tigers are expected to trade both Eduardo Rodriguez and Michael Lorenzen by 6pm ET, but sources say Detroit’s asking prices remain quite high for the two starters. Will the Tigers lower their price or will a contender feel the pressure as the deadline approaches?
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) August 1, 2023
Lorenzen is an impending free agent, having signed with the Tigers for just one year.
Rodriguez technically has three years left on his deal with the Tigers, but most around the game are expecting the veteran left-hander to exercise his opt-out clause and hit the open market this winter.
Rodriguez owns a record of 6-5 and an ERA of 2.95 through his first 15 starts this season, while Lorenzen is 5-7 with a 3.58 ERA in 18 starts for the Tigers.
Both would be valuable commodities for contending ballclubs.
Lorenzen can be used as a starter and a reliever, and teams may be interested in his flexibility.
But as Feinsand notes, the asking price for both starters is going to be quite high, which means a contending team will have to pay dearly in order to land either one of them.
The Tigers have a solid opportunity to take advantage of a market that truly favors sellers.
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