As of right now, we can safely say that the Detroit Tigers are doing good.
Not great, but good.
6 games above .500 is good. 6 games above .500 means that your team is having an above-average year. 6 games above .500 is a record that many teams would like to have. But 6 games above .500 does not get you into the postseason.
Yes, I'm aware that the Tigers are neck-and-neck with the Minnesota Twins in a race to take the A.L. Central, but the Tigers have been behind in that race for almost the entire season, and don't think we can expect a total role-reversal from last year. The Tigers are playing very well, but they're not cutting it. Even if their current squad ends up being enough to get them into the playoffs, it's doubtful that it's enough to make it past the first round, let alone the World Series.
The Tigers have many of the crucial pieces. They have the hitting. They certainly have the bullpen. The defense could be better, but it's good enough. The only area that they are weak in is the most important area of all: the starting rotation.
Justin Verlander has been mostly phenomenal. But his supporting cast has been far too inconsistent. It has not been terrible, but it could use some work.
Which brings us to trading.
Aces Roy Oswalt and Cliff Lee are among those believed to be available via trade. If the Tigers were to pair one of them with Verlander, they would in the process become not only the favorites to win the A.L. Central, but, in my opinion, favorites to win the A.L. (New York who?).
Either pitcher would be a fine addition. Oswalt's numbers look better this year, while Lee has proven to be dominant in the postseason. Personally, I would take Lee, seeing as he should be good enough to provide the little push the Tigers need to make the playoffs, and would probably help them more once they get there.
That decision, however, is for the Tigers to make. But whatever they do, they better do something.
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