Sports journalists are winding up with stories that may happen within the next 1-2 months as the trade deadline looms. Anticipating which teams may be buyers or sellers and which players will be in the highest demand.
One of those being mentioned is Detroit Tigers’ reliever, Alex Lange. He is currently one of MLB’s best, sporting a 3-0 record, a 1.16 ERA and an incredible .900 WHIP (through Thursday’s games). He was just named reliever of month for May.
Adding to this is Lange’s MLB minimum salary (through the next 2 years) although the Tigers could reward him with a raise before then.
Potentially, Detroit could get quite a bit for him. He will presumably be in high demand by teams looking to strengthen their bullpens esp. for playoff runs.
Should the Tigers trade him so they may fill in several holes or to help resolve their thin starting pitching? Let’s assume that if you say “yes”, the return would be an acceptable one.
Or is it time for the Tigers to stop selling off their players and start keeping their good ones?
Today’s blog addresses this dilemma and allows readers to share their thoughts in more detail. And hopefully, to actively engage with others by responding to their posts and creating back-and-forth discussion threads. The more the merrier!
For this one blog only, you’ve got 6 sentences max to share your thoughts. Of course, we encourage responding to other posters.
TT will supply the ammunition. One thought-provoking question. Several options provided. One hard choice to be selected. One vote.
Ready?
Comments are limited to a maximum of 6 sentences. Please make sure to check out the other rules for posting under the link at the top of the page in order for your comments to be published.
Given their division, do the Detroit Tigers have a chance to reach the playoffs this year?
- Stranger things have happened. 43%
- Not a chance. 39%
- I think it’s possible. 18%
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The question is what do you expect to get in return? Not sure how you can upgrade much. He is on minimum salary for two more years of control with demonstrated performance and a lot of potential. These are the guys we need to be finding, so why would you risk it?
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On a more talented team, Alex would be a definite keeper. Because the Tigers have so many below average everyday players, I would trade him if the return was a younger, above average everyday starter who would be good enough to be a core player moving forward. Just as Soto and Jimenez were considered luxury players last winter, Alex is a luxury on a team severely lacking upper-tier talent. At 27, he’s in his prime and his value will never be higher. Under Avila, the Tigers held on to several pitchers way too long and missed multiple opportunities to flip arms for bats. Much as I love having Lange as our closer, I hope Harris can flip him for an everyday player who will grow with an improving Tigers franchise.
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I’m a pretty emphatic no to trade a controllable player that meets the criteria that you’ve set up for the players you want to receive. But the biggest reason I wouldn’t let him go is because he just epitomizes the culture that’s trying to be built in Detroit. Alex is not a Gregory Soto even though he does sometimes lose control he has the ability to reel it in. Although the return could be significant especially since Scott is doing the dealing, he’s a bullpen cornerstone an impact player that needs to be part of your core. I would think he would be an ideal extension if he continues his success. Please, please keep him and that devastating curve ball.
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I agree with your reasoning on Lange, Naldo. If he’s tradable I guess Greene is too, right. At some point you need to build a nucleus and quit simply fishing for prospects. Look at the Soto “haul” for example. Harris traded a closer for a good fielding / anemic slugging outfield. and a -.8 WAR clubhouse guy. Maybe it will work out great, but with young players the operative word is “maybe.”
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I hate to be a pessimist but can we assume the trade would be an acceptable one? The current GM’ s trade record isn’t really the greatest.
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Great point. Have you checked out Willi Castro’s eye-popping numbers for the Twins? (OPS+ of 105 and 11 steals!). If Harris had traded for him and Clemens (+.2 WAR) Tiger fans would be exalting Harris as a genius. Show us something, Scott.
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Hi, All – I would urge everyone to consider a player’s full contributions to a team and not just the offensive stats. The entire picture of a player and his role within the team must be considered when evaluating the real value and the bigger picture.
Players can help create runs but they are just as likely to cost their team runs, too, via their glove. Both offensive and defensive sides must be considered. Take Castro for example : He signed a minor league contract with the Twins and got promoted only because of injury. He is a part-time player for the Twins, playing primarily outfield. With the Tigers, his strikeout rate was high and plate discipline poor. As a fielder, he cost the team – 10 DRS which is why he was DFA’d and why he is solely a utility player. Looking at both sides of a player’s skills helps in how each team evaluates how well they contribute. – Holly
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Not to mention Jeimer and Harold who he let walk. How are they doing compared to our third baseman?
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Hi, jdm – If you look at all the factors involved, Jeimer continues to rank defensively poor but is hitting better because he’s in a smaller park. He did afterall take a pay cut and is on a 1-year contract with MLB’s worst team. Castro remains a defensively poor utility player and signed with the Rockies on a minor league deal. He’s also hitting better but much of that is considered to be altitude-induced and the Rockies having MLB’s most hitter-friendly ballpark. We cannot assume that these players would have performed similarly if they had remained in Detroit. A really good rule of thumb in evaluating a GM/PoBO’s moves is whether any player he releases is snapped up by another team or if this player cannot sign another MLB contract. Looking just at stats doesn’t give a complete picture. – Holly
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Hughie I have to disagree with you on this one. Willi Castro may be hitting right now, but there’s no guarantee that will continue. His glove however will definitely cost his team runs, and I guarantee that will continue. He is defensively challenged and I for one am glad to see him on a different team.
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To Our Readers: No more comments are being accepted on this particular thread because it does not address today’s topic about Alex Lange per this blog’s rules for posting. – The Moderators
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Always listen to all offers. Always get the best of the trade. The Tigers don’t need to trade him, and can always stand pat if the teams in need aren’t willing to make the right deal.
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An “acceptable” return needs to be an equally talented and controllable bat. Lange can be part of a future winning team in Detroit; his replacement must be the same. The trade partner would be a win now team with an excess of controllable MLB quality hitters. Pretty hard to find unless you dare trade again with the Rays.
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Trade with the Rays at your peril. How about trade like the Rays?
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Hi, Lon – Maybe they will now. Harris hired Rob Metzler from the Rays who is now the Asst. GM in charge of scouting. – Holly
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How many years have we been waiting for someone we have confidence to hand the ball to in the 9th? We finally have him! Let’s keep him.
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I don’t trust Harris to make a good trade, so they should keep him.
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Given the progress the Tigers have made this season, the weakness of the AL Central, the prospective return of key injured players, and the room in payroll, the Tigers should plan their actions for the goal of winnimg the AL Central in 2024. That would probably mean keeping Lange.
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Keep him. It’s quite possible this team will be a playoff contender in two years when existing talent heals and matures and player development brings along guys like Colt Keith. And if Lange is kept it will likely signal that CI is opening his checkbook for Harris to dive into the free agent pool this off season.
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Agreed. The necessity of trading Lange was put forward by a “retired” sportswriter who loves prospects more than stars and would see the Tigers trade their best players forever.
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I voted trade him if the deal is a too good to pass up however if that’s not the case I’d hang onto him. Although relief pitchers and bullpens in general can be streaky. Luckily in the last several years the BP has actually been good. Too bad the Tigers didn’t have these type of BP back in the day when they had the offensive fire power
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Even after today not trading Alex Lange. A famous person once said that Baseball is a humbling game. The Tigers may just be the most humbled team ever. The End.
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After seeing the players which the Tigers received when they traded Soto and Jiminez, Lange should be deemed “untouchable”. No more give-always by Detroit’s front office.
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Voted keep him. At some point they will have to begin keeping young, talented players even if they may be a year away. If you trade everyone as soon as he looks like a ML level player, you end up with the AA/AAA team that you have now. It has to stop/start somewhere.
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