DETROIT – The Major League Baseball Trade Deadline is approaching and the Detroit Tigers are likely going to be sellers.
The team is several games under .500, and with large contracts on the horizon, the Tigers will likely sell off some of their bigger pieces.
Top 5 players the Detroit Tigers should trade this month
The MLB Trade Deadline is 4 p.m. on July 31, 2017. The real deadline for summer trades is Aug. 31 at midnight ET. After that day, any player added to a Major League roster will not be eligible for the postseason.
ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reported Tuesday: Tigers are optimistic they're on the verge of a trade or two. As GM Al Avila said yesterday, they expect something to happen "soon.''
Here are the latest rumors surrounding Detroit Tigers players:
J.D. Martinez
Justin Wilson
The Tampa Bay Rays have "expressed legit interest" in left handed relief pitcher Justin Wilson, according to Marc Topkin of the TB Times.
Jon Heyman reported this week that the Washington Nationals were also interested in Wilson.
The Houston Astros have also been linked to Wilson, who reportedly tried to trade for him during the off-season.
Michael Fulmer
After weeks of rumors surrounding the young starting pitcher, it now seems unlikely Michael Fulmer is going anywhere.
Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila talked about this on MLB Network this week, saying although many teams are interested, the “probability of [a trade] is probably zero.”
Justin Verlander
While Justin Verlander has been linked to rumors involving the Chicago Cubs and possibly the New York Yankees, his large contract has been a tough thing for teams to swallow.
Jon Morosi reported on Monday that the Tigers are now willing to include some cash in a Verlander trade.
Morosi also reported last week that talks between the Tigers and Cubs for Verlander had stalled.
The Atlanta Braves have also been linked to JV.
5 players the Tigers could target in Justin Verlander trade
Alex Avila
Jon Morosi reported Tuesday that the Chicago Cubs are still interested in catcher Alex Avila.
Check back for updates.