Detroit Tigers: Is now the time to trade Nicholas Castellanos?

The Detroit Tigers are starting to fall further beyond in the playoff race. If they decide to become sellers, might they move their best active hitter?

Over the past few years, Detroit Tigers former first-round draft pick Nicholas Castellanos has matured into an above average major league hitter. Last season, he hit .272/.320/.490 (109 OPS+) with 26 home runs and 101 RBI, proving that he had become a legitimate power threat and run producer.

Castellanos had a great September, hitting .368/.381/.649 with seven homers. His big month coincided with a move to right field from third base, a position where he had struggled defensively.

This past offseason, there were a few whispers regarding the availability of Castellanos, but he ultimately remained with the club. There was also a report that the Tigers had approached Castellanos about a possible extension at one point, but nothing came of it.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

This year, Castellanos seems to have picked up right where he left off last season. Through 75 games, Castellanos is hitting .303/.348/.487 with nine home runs and 41 RBI.

With Miguel Cabrera now out for the season, Castellanos is quite arguably the team’s best hitter at the moment.

To the surprise of some, the Tigers have been hanging around in the playoff race for the most part. Detroit is still tied for second place in the AL Central.

However, after a recent five-game losing skid, they now trail the division-leading Cleveland Indians by eight games. They are 11 games out of a wild-card spot.

If the Tigers decide to become sellers, they have quite a few pieces that teams in contention could be interested in. Starters such as ace Michael Fulmer, Matt Boyd, and Francisco Liriano are a few names that come to mind.

The Tigers could also receive interest in relievers such as Shane Greene. Of course, it is possible that Castellanos’ name could come up again as well.

Should The Detroit Tigers trade Castellanos?

In a recent interview with Jason Beck of MLB.com, GM AL Avila wasn’t ready to say if players such as Fulmer and Castellanos fit into the team’s “long-term plans.” Nevertheless, he does appear to at least be open to the possibility of moving them.

Right now, the Tigers also have a couple of outfield prospects who are knocking on the door to the big leagues. One of them is the power-hitting left-fielder Christin Stewart, who is currently batting .267/.349/.496 with 14 home runs and 44 RBI in Triple-A Toledo. The Tigers also have Mike Gerber, though he has struggled a bit in Triple-A this season.

The fact that the Tigers have shown a desire to keep Rule 5 Victor Reyes on the 25-man roster this season might imply that they envision a role for him in the future as well. Lastly, Jacoby Jones and Mikie Mahtook could be in the mix for a corner outfield job as well in 2019.

If the Tigers decide to keep Castellanos, some have also wondered if first base could be in his future. Designated hitter Victor Martinez is in the final season of a four-year deal.

When Miguel Cabrera returns next year, it is very possible that at the age of 36, he could be entering into a phase of his career where he should be DHing more often.

Next: Tim Tebow: Alex Rodriguez thinks he’s the next Bryce Harper

Nicholas Castellanos remains under team control through the end of next season, so he would be a bit more than a rental. With reinforcements available for the Detroit Tigers, it would certainly make sense for them to at least keep their options open and listen to offers on Castellanos, should they arise.