Another disappointing loss has led to more trade talk among national columnists and Detroit Tigers fans. Tampa Bay defeated the Tigers 3-2 Tuesday night, after a ninth-inning bases-loaded opportunity didn't pan out for Miguel Cabrera.
Detroit is now four games behind the A.L. Central-leading Chicago White Sox, who will come to Comerica Park next week.
Washington Nationals beat-writer Bill Ladson reported that the Tigers have "great interest" in Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn , which is music to many fans' ears. The message boards and newspaper site threads are jam-packed with "we need Dunn" comments.
Dunn is hitting .273 with 23 home runs and 63 RBI for the N.L. East cellar-dwelling Nats.
Although no specifics have been leaked on the Tigers' side, the trade for Dunn doesn't seem too far-fetched—if Detroit can lock him into a long-term contract.
Dunn would serve a dual-purpose for the struggling Tigers, who have lost seven of their last 10 games.
The 30-year-old, nine-year MLB-veteran could fill the void in the Tigers' outfield left by the injured Magglio Ordonez.
Ordonez broke his foot when third base coach Gene Lamont waived him home last Saturday in a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. He will be out for an estimated six-to-eight weeks.
To no surprise, Tigers manager Jim Leyland hasn't commented on any of the trade rumors. Detroit was said to have interest in Boston Red Sox veteran third baseman Mike Lowell, who would have likely served as a temporary replacement to the injured Brandon Inge. Inge broke his hand last week, and will be out four-to-six weeks. However, Inge said he thinks he will be back sooner than that.
The injuries, and Toledo Mud Hen-heavy lineup has Tigers fans begging for their team to make a move before Saturday's trade deadline.
"For us to do something and give up a pretty good young player or players, it would be something that we would all have to feel we're getting a difference-maker," Leyland told The Detroit Free Press on Friday. "Not just making a deal where you're getting somebody that might be a little tad better than what you got."
Dunn fits the description of being a "little tad better" than what the Tigers have right now. With six rookies in the starting lineup against the Rays, Leyland's club needs a veteran that can produce.
If Dunn does indeed come to the Motor City, he would be a solid No. 3 hitter in the lineup, and take pressure of Cabrera and rookie Brennan Boesch.
Cabrera can't drive in every run, although he does lead the majors with 88 RBI , seven more than second-place Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, who has 81.
Boesch is hitting .305, but has hit a late-season skid. He was around .345 at the All-Star Break.
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