MLB trade rumors: Tigers 'working to trade' Joakim Soria

The Detroit Tigers have made the first move of their rebooting phase by dealing lefty ace David Price to the Toronto Blue Jays. The trade brought over three left-handed pitchers, but it's just a start. Now, closer Joakim Soria is garnering interest and the Tigers are "working to trade" Soria, according to FOX Sports' Jon Morosi.

Soria was acquired from the Rangers last year by the Tigers on July 23 in exchange for pitching prospects Corey Knebel and Jake Thompson. Knebel was eventually traded to the Brewers in exchange for Yovani Gallardo, and Thompson has already been traded to the Phillies as part of a mega-deal for Cole Hamels. Knebel has since been called up and is on the major league staff with Milwaukee.

With the Tigers in fourth place and Soria a free agent at the end of the season, the Tigers are hoping to flip him for more long-term investments that fit in their plans to restock the team. After Joe Nathan went down for the year due to a second Tommy John surgery, Soria was named the Tigers' closer.

This season Soria has compiled a 2.85 ERA and a WHIP of 1.049, accumulating 23 saves in 26 opportunities. Soria's walk-rate is the highest since 2013, though, and his 1.8 HR/9 are the highest of his career. He has a 7.9 SO/9 rate, but lately his strikeouts have decreased -- he holds a career average of 9.6.

Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski has already pulled of a top-notch trade for Price. If he can do the same for Soria, who by all accounts is back to being himself after a rough patch around the All-Star break, the returns could net some stability both short-term and in the long run.