Detroit Tigers Rumors: Dombrowski undecided, Kazmir scouted
2015’s version of the Detroit Tigers is in ways less appealing than last year’s club. The Miguel Cabrera injury is a noticeable thorn in manager Brad Ausmus‘ side. Justin Verlander (0-3, 6.62) has been mostly disastrous since being reinstated from the disabled list five weeks ago to assist David Price and Co. in a Central division that features two of better teams the American League has to offer in the Royals and Twins.
Last season, once games resumed after the All-Star break, the Tigers had a 6.5 game lead in the division. This year they aren’t a far worse team, they’re just less competitive within the division right now. Hovering around .500, their fifth consecutive Central title looks to be out of reach. But this is by no means a bad ball club, and GM Dave Dombrowski knows this.
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A Wild Card berth is still a real possibility. While a team like the Blue Jays also hover around .500 in the AL East, that kind of record in that particular division this year holds more hope and it’s almost a certain thing that Toronto will be buying before the trade deadline. Dombrowski appears undecided right now on which direction he will take Detroit. There isn’t really a clear play here, but the tenured front office executive has not been familiar with holding cards to sell throw away in recent years.
The two valuable cards Dombrowski holds in his hand are of course pitcher David Price and outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. Both are talented, both probably belong on contenders and both are free agents once the World Series comes to an end and with MLBs next champions crowned.
However, four games out of a Wild Card seed seems far less insurmountable right now than being 9.5 games behind the Royals in the Central. For that reason, Dombrowski remains undecided and is not fully readying his white flag yet. As recently as over the weekend the Tigers had scouts on hand to watch Scott Kazmir deliver a gem July 18 at home against the Twins.
Falling two outs shy of a complete game, one run performance, the Athletics’ starter is on many buying team’s radars right now. Oakland is in a position to sell and add more youth to build around ace Sonny Gray. With a 31-year-old Kazmir set to acquire a new contract for 2016 and beyond, the southpaw has plenty of appeal to potential suitors. Someone with Kazmir’s tools could certainly boost the Tigers’ staff and get them into a secure position of occupying a Wild Card spot by September.
Aside from the Price, Detroit has had a number of letdowns in the rotation this year. Verlander is first and foremost the eye sore right now, but even Anibal Sanchez (9-7, 4.55) and Alfredo Simon‘s (8-6, 4.63) numbers have not been very attractive this season. Kazmir would likely bump Shane Greene (4-7, 6.52) to the bullpen and instantaneously guarantee the aptly run producing Tigers’ offense more wins in baseball’s second half.
The clock is ticking for Dave Dombrowski and his Detroit Tigers. After five straight division titles, it’s un-chartered territory right now for the Motor City Bengals. Buying could make them the apex predator of the jungle in October, whereas selling would make them obsolete for the remainder of 2015.