LET'S MAKE A DEAL?

GREG BOWMAN

So it's trade deadline time again, and there are all kinds of rumors involving possible players the Tigers might be interested in. There's no question the Tigers have a number of holes to fill, especially now that Magglio Ordonez is out for six to 8 weeks with a broken ankle. They've also lost Brandon Inge for at least six weeks and reliever Joel Zumaya is out for the season. That means they would like to get a rightfielder, a third basemen, and a veteran reliever. And while we're at it, a veteran starter would be nice, too. The only problem is, every team still in the pennant hunt also wants to make a deal for a lot of the same players the Tigers would like to acquire.

But to get a pitcher like Ted Lilly from the Cubs, who are you willing to give up? The Cubs would likely want a package involving top pitching prospects Jacob Turner and Andy Oliver, something GM Dave Dombrowski says he doesn't want to do, because it doesn't make sense to give up top prospects to rent players for two or three months.

What about Brennan Boesch, who has slowed down at the plate after a terrific first half? Would you trade him for a pitcher like the Royals Zack Greinke, who supposedly is on the trading block now? I would hate to give up Boesch for anyone, but I might consider it for Greinke, if he didn't just stick around for the rest of the season.

Of course, these rent-a-player deals don't always work out. Remember at the end of last season, when the Tigers traded for Aubrey Huff and pitcher Gerrod Washburn? Both those players turned out to be busts in a Detroit uniform. If the Tigers are going to make a deal, I think they are better off getting someone who doesn't require giving up an arm and leg. One interesting rumor says the Tigers are interested in Royals rightfielder Jose Gullen, who has hit 16 home runs this season and would be a nice replacement for Maggs. And the Royals might be willing to deal him just to unload his salary.

In the meantime, the Tigers will see if players like Scott Sizemore, Jeff Larrish and Danny Worth are ready for prime time players who can keep the Tigers in the race until Ordonez and Inge can return, hopefully in September.

The Tigers were in first place for almost the entire season last year before losing out on that one game playoff. So this year, it's fine if they hang back until the last minute before moving ahead of Minnesota and Chicago.