MLB Rumors: 3 Detroit Tigers Becoming Trade Candidates (No, Not Eduardo Rodriguez)

It's true that the Detroit Tigers are currently still in the mix in the American League Central Division. It's also true, however, that they're in the weakest division in the league, and sit five games under .500, with the third-worst run differential in the majors. And, they're without their best pitcher and one of their best hitters for a significant period. 

All of that means that it's very likely that the Tigers will be a seller come the trade deadline. And while the No. 1 trade candidate would be Eduardo Rodriguez with his 2.13 ERA and 0.98 WHIP, he, as mentioned, is out for the foreseeable future, and has an opt-out after the season, putting a huge damper on trade interest. 

That leaves these three Tigers as the most likely candidates for now, to be dealt this summer:

Michael Lorenzen

Signed to a one-year, $8.5M contract for 2023, Lorenzen is off to a fine start to the season, with a 3.50 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP through eight starts, with a 35:12 K/BB ratio. 

With another trip to free agency looming at the end of the season, the Tigers would really have no reason to hang on to him if he can bring back some nice assets for them at the deadline. 

Matthew Boyd

The nine-year veteran signed a one-year, $10M contract to return to the Tigers after one season in Seattle. His start has been quite a bit rougher than Lorenzen's, with a 5.96 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and four walks per nine innings. 

Alex Lange

The 27-year-old strikeout machine has emerged as a solid closer for Detroit, with 10 saves and a 1.16 ERA along with 12.3 K/9. He's in the 99th percentile in whiff % and 95th percentile in strikeout percentage. 

He could fetch some nice assets, as he still has four years of team control remaining. 

But if the AL Central continues to be the dreadful division it currently is, the Tigers could still believe they have a shot at the playoffs come late July, and all of this would likely be off the table.