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Help Wanted: 2nd Base, Corner Outfield, Back-End Starter
The Detroit Tigers are placing a "greater emphasis" on acquiring an offensive upgrade than pitching help, a source has told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
A second baseman (Marco Scutaro?) is perhaps the team’s greatest priority, but the team also could explore deals for a corner outfielder, back-end starter and bullpen arm, the executive said.
Though the Tigers have been tied to pitchers like Matt Garza in recent weeks, offense now appears to be their top priority. Rosenthal speculates that the club could trade away a second-tier prospect and under-performers like Ryan Raburn or Brennan Boesch for an established hitter.
Second base is the Tigers' greatest need --- the team is hitting .198/.274/.271 at the position -- but GM Dave Dombrowski fears the market may be too thin to be worth their while.
The Tigers were reportedly targeting Cubs' second baseman Darwin Barney a few weeks ago but talks went nowhere, likely leaving the Phillies' Mike Fontenot and the Rockies' Marco Scutaro as the only viable second basemen readily available on the trade market.