Detroit Tigers News: Chris Archer, Jonathan Schoop among those dealt at MLB trade deadline

Monday’s MLB trade deadline came and went with little activity from the Detroit Tigers. Those watching only for a move or two from the Tigers may have come away disappointed when Mike Fiers wasn’t traded, but we’ve come to terms with the decision.

If you looked elsewhere, however, hoo boy. The rest of baseball was absolutely buzzing on Monday, with a number of rumors and deals flying left and right. We feel bad for our colleagues at the mothership, who had to track everything. There was enough happening that poor Grant Brisbee found 14 winners and losers to write about — basically half of baseball!

For those who missed out, here are the highlights:

• Chris Archer was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for a huge return, including righthander Tyler Glasnow and outfielder Austin Meadows. Combined with a weird trade for outfielder Tommy Pham, the Rays made out like bandits on deadline day, even if people will make fun of them for having no starting pitchers right now.
• Dave Dombrowski continued to collect former Tigers in Boston, adding second baseman Ian Kinsler from the Angels for a couple of minor league relievers. Kinsler joins David Price, Rick Porcello, and J.D. Martinez as the 2014 Tigers 2018 Red Sox look to win a World Series.
• The Milwaukee Brewers seemingly forgot that they had already traded for Mike Moustakas when they acquired Jonathan Schoop right before the deadline. Schoop has been one of the most productive second basemen in baseball over the past few years, but we’re not sure where the Brewers will fit him, Moustakas, and incumbent third baseman Travis Shaw.
• The Atlanta Braves might have gotten the best bang for their buck when they picked up Kevin Gausman and Darren O’Day from the Orioles for a bunch of prospects you’ve never heard of. They previously traded three guys you have heard of for Adam Duvall, but didn’t have to dip into their robust pool of top talent to make a few meaningful upgrades.

Not on the move: Bryce Harper

The Washington Nationals briefly made Bryce Harper available for trade on Monday and Tuesday, which would have been all sorts of fun had general manager Mike Rizzo not been a buzzkill hours before the deadline. Harper ultimately stayed put, and the Nationals celebrated by blasting the New York Mets, 24-5.

On one hand, it makes sense that the Nats were hesitant to move Harper. He’s a generational talent, and one that they probably want to re-sign this offseason. Trading him now doesn’t exactly send the best message. They are also still within striking distance in the National League playoff race. They’re five games back in the Wild Card race, and the Phillies and Braves have yet to pull away despite Washington’s poor record in July.

But imagine if the Nats had traded him for a good return. Cleveland’s Shane Bieber and/or Tristan McKenzie would have looked good behind Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg in Washington’s rotation, and the Nats could still move on with Adam Eaton, Juan Soto, Victor Robles, and Michael A. Taylor in their outfield. Trea Turner and Anthony Rendon are also in their respective primes. Were the Nats to spend that Harper money on a catcher and some bullpen help, they would be set for a number of years in a still-weak NL East.

Or maybe I just want to see chaos reign (and the Indians with a bare-bones farm system).

Hey, isn’t this a Tigers blog?

Oh yeah, that team. The Tigers traded Leonys Martin to the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday, receiving shortstop prospect Willi Castro in return. We like the move, as Castro is a talented young player not far from the majors. It would have been nice to see them do more, but standing pat otherwise isn’t so bad either.

Baseball is awesome and weird and sometimes both