The Detroit Tigers had a fantastic season that ended with a loss to the Boston Red Sox in the American League Championship Series and now it appears the franchise could make some big moves this offseason, as trades involving Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello could go down to teams like the Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees.
According to CBS Sports, the Tigers could be open to trading either pitcher, although sources said that the team is not openly looking to trade them. Scherzer is likely the Cy Young winner in the AL after winning over 20 games and that would make it two seasons in a row where the award winner is traded, as that happened last season with RA Dickey. The main reason why the Tigers feel they can make a move is due to the fact that they have Drew Smyly ready to get into the rotation and can pitch as well as Porcello.
The main reason for trading Scherzer would be that the team has depth in the rotation and that it would be selling him at a high point, making the return greater for the team going forward. The Tigers originally got Scherzer in the Curtis Granderson deal and now he could net them a solid starter or prospects in return. The team needs a second baseman badly and that is another reason why they could give up one of their top starters heading into the offseason and while they aren't actively looking to deal him, a trade could come closer to happening once the winter meetings get going.
Scherzer's going to be due a new contract and that could be a big deal for the team, as he is a free agent after next season and with arbitration, he likely will get around $15 million and that is a high price to pay. The team knows Scott Boras represents him, making the possibility of a long term extension unlikely and that is part of the process. Smyly has high expectations for the Tigers, as he was in the rotation before last season and was pushed out after the team acquired Anibal Sanchez and he is another reason why Scherzer could go, as the Tigers realize they have something special in Sanchez.
The team sees Smyly as a starter and with Porcello not turning out as great as they hoped, he could be dealt as well. Porcello's salary could go up to over $7 million according to ESPN.com with arbitration in the future and with both players looking like they will get raises, it could be time to make moves when the value is high, especially for Scherzer.
