The Detroit Tigers have upgraded their starting rotation, potentially at the expense of their lineup.
In a trade deadline blockbuster, the Tigers acquired Tampa Bay Rays ace David Price in a three-team trade that reportedly will ship Austin Jackson and Drew Smyly out of Detroit. Jackson was pulled from the Tigers-White Sox game in the middle of the seventh inning, all but confirming that he is indeed part of that deal.
Details of all this are still coming through, but Smyly will head to the Rays with Jackson moving to Seattle. Other prospects from the Tigers’ organization could be involved. The Mariners will send Nick Franklin to Tampa Bay to complete the trade.
Adding Price adds another lights-out option to the Tigers’ rotation, answering Oakland’s move for Jon Lester earlier in the day. Detroit also has Price under contract through 2015, meaning that the potential departure of Max Scherzer via free agency could serve far less of a blow.
Of course, Jackson had been red hot as the Tigers’ leadoff hitter and he has been a staple in center field for several seasons. Rajai Davis replaced Jackson in center Thursday and it would appear he is first in line to take over the job permanently, barring another move.
Update: That’s it. No mystery components to the deal.
Four-player deal confirmed: David Price to Tigers, Austin Jackson to Mariners, Nick Franklin and Drew Smyly to Rays. No other prospects.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2014
Update: Oops. There is a prospect — and a pretty good one at that — going from the Tigers to the Rays.
Spoke too soon as @Ken_Rosenthal reporting that #Rays also get #Tigers minor league SS Willy Adames in Price deal.
— Dana Wakiji (@FSDwakiji) July 31, 2014
