Tigers listed as possible fit for $255 million former Cy Young winner

The Detroit Tigers have taken some very important steps forward this season. Even after selling at the trade deadline, they are right in the thick of the American League Wild Card race.

In fact, Detroit is 79-73 and have won eight of their last 10 games while coming to within 1 1/2 games of the last Wild Card spot.

This offseason will be an important one in the Motor City. Mark Feinsand proposed the idea of them signing Justin Verlander, but Alyson Footer had a different idea and suggested that Detroit should target Corbin Burnes instead.

"If they're a year away and they sign Burnes for six/seven (years), then that makes sense to do it, no?" Footer said.

Detroit hasn't signed a pitcher to a megadeal in quite some time, but Burnes would certainly be an interesting fit. Signing him would signal to the fanbase that the time to win is now and that the rebuilding period is over.

Burnes was acquired by the Baltimore Orioles just before spring training and he has been every bit as good as advertised. But he'll have plenty of teams lining up to bid for his services this coming offseason, and Detroit might be one of them.

Detroit hasn't had a winning season since 2016. All they need to secure a winning season now is three more victories. It's clear that the Tigers are on the rise and have goals to win in the near future.

They could certainly accelerate those plans if they were to sign Burnes. He would give them a true ace and a veteran presence in a young clubhouse.

It will be interesting to see how his market develops and if Detroit might be in the mix to sign him. Doing so would put them in the conversation for an AL Central title in 2025.

More MLB: Tigers named a 'top landing spot' for $210 million two-time All-Star