Pat Caputo: Forget 'Wow' Factor — Tigers Need To Be Smart Moving Forward
When it gets to mid-June and the Tigers are in contention, speculation begins about what sort of moves they might make as the trade deadline (July 31) approaches.
The Tigers are a decidedly flawed team. They have two gaping holes. One is at second base, where Ryan Raburn struggles mightily, and there is no other viable every day alternative. The other is third base. Brandon Inge might be able to come back and be the answer at third. Then again, he might not, at least based on his early-season performance before he was placed on the disabled list with mononucleosis. He is set to begin a six-game minor league rehabilitation assignment.
But the Tigers issues are minor compared to what they have been in the past. With all the bemoaning about their two decided needs, they have strengths in most areas.
If you begin the discussion with the understanding the Tigers are not the Red Sox, their starting pitching can match any other club in the American League.
