MLB Trade Rumors: Arenado Lands With Tigers in Proposed Deal

The Detroit Tigers finally made their way back into the postseason last year after 10 seasons on the outside looking in. But they obviously aren't content to rest on their laurels. The Tigers are absolutely running away from the pack in the American League Central Division, with a 12.5 game lead.

But in looking for a deep playoff run, there are a couple of spots they could still stand to beef up: third base and the bullpen.

The Tigers sit 25th in baseball in OPS from the hot corner, and while their bullpen has been fine, that's a spot that every serious contender looks to build up going into the playoffs.

With that, insider and former MLB GM Jim Bowden has proposed a huge deal that would land two players with a combined 10 All-Star appearances in the Motor City:

Detroit Tigers receive:

3B Nolan Arenado
RHP Ryan Helsley
Cash considerations

St. Louis Cardinals receive:

INF Kevin McGonigle (Tigers' #1 prospect)

After leading the majors in saves last year with 49, Helsley has another 16 so far this season. He would join Will Vest and Tommy Kahnle to give the Tigers a three-headed monster to close games into the playoffs.

Arenado is having a reasonable season thus far.. Nowhere close to his 8-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove days, but certainly better than what they've got.

What would the Tigers have to give up in a deal to land two stars?

In this hypothetical trade, however, the Tigers would have to surrender their top prospect, Kevin McGonigle. The 20-year-old might be two years away from his major league debut, but as Bowden notes, he is "an elite prospect who can flat-out hit and can play any infield position."

The biggest wrench that could be thrown into any scenario like this is that the Tigers are currently tied for the final Wild Card spot in the National League, potentially taking them out of the seller's market.