Buyers or Sellers: Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers

Record: 47-50

Games out of playoffs: 12.0 in AL Central, 7.0 in wild card

Buyer or Seller: Seller

After finishing second in the American League Central division at 78-84 last season, the Detroit Tigers went into the offseason looking to upgrade to capitalize on a weak division.

They signed veteran starting pitchers Jack Flaherty and Kenta Maeda, while also bolstering their bullpen with the signings of Andrew Chafin and Shelby Miller.

Even with the upgrades and having multiple players take the next step, including pitchers Tarik Skubal and Reese Olson and outfielder Riley Greene, they have found themselves in fourth place in the much-improved AL Central.

While going 8-2 over their last 10 games, the Tigers are a long shot to make a run to the postseason this year. They still have a very promising future, including one of the top-ranked farm systems in MLB.

With the trade deadline approaching, here is a player the Tigers should trade to continue adding pieces for the future.

One move to make: Trade pitcher Jack Flaherty

Not far removed from being in the conversation as one of baseball's best young pitchers, Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty has had a comeback year after struggles and injury problems over the past few seasons.

Currently 6-5 with a 3.13 ERA and 0.98 WHIP while striking out 119 batters in 95 innings pitched, he has been a bargain after signing a one-year, $14M deal this offseason.

With the Tigers struggling to keep pace in the AL Central, trading Flaherty would be a smart move to continue stocking their farm system with pieces. If they wanted him back, they could make another run at him this offseason when he is a free agent.

But with no guarantees that he would re-sign, the Tigers need to capitalize on his strong first half and there will be no shortage of suitors for Flaherty.

With teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers and Baltimore Orioles all in playoff contention and needing pitching help, Flaherty is one of the better pitchers likely to be available at the trade deadline.