Tigers talking trade to Toronto about a hitter, Buck or Bautista?
Written by Greg Piatt, Saturday July 31 2010
The Detroit Tigers are talking to the Toronto Blue Jays about a hitter and not pitching, Fox Sports' Jon Paul Morosi reported early Saturday.
Morosi speculates that the Tigers are looking to trade for Toronto catcher John Buck instead of Toronto's relief pitchers.
Buck has a .270 average with 14 home runs and 47 RBI this season and Tiger catchers Gerald Laird and Alex Avila have barely hit .200 this season.
The Tigers need to add another hitter and possibly a starting pitcher in order to keep in contention in the American League Central. Trade rumors also have Detroit linked to Chicago Cubs' Ted Lilly
Another possible Toronto slugger the Tigers could be discussing is home run leader Jose Bautista, who plays the outfield and third base. Detroit needs to add depth at these positions since it has suffered injuries to three starters in the past week--third baseman Brandon Inge, infielder Carlos Guillen and outfielder Magglio Ordonez.
Despite the injuries the Tigers have said they plan to compete for the American League Division crown and not become sellers by Saturday's trade deadline.
Bautista has attracted plenty of interest from contending teams and hit his 31st homer, a grand slam on Friday to help power the Blue Jays to an 8-1 win over the Cleveland Indians.
The Detroit News asked Tiger manager Jim Leyland on Friday if he hoped the Tigers would do something "logical" by the deadline.
Leyland replied, "Absolutely."
"If it's one that makes a difference instead of just treading water, absolutely," Leyland told The News. "We still have two months of the season left. A lot goes on in two months. So if it's something that helps us significantly, I'd be all for it."
After Friday night's game, the Tigers had 60 games remaining.
"Realistically, people are probably looking at us right now and saying, 'They're in trouble,'" Leyland added. "But we're not looking at it like that. We're looking at it like maybe we will pop something (a trade) and get these guys better."
Could the trade pop come from Buck or Bautista? All will be clear at 4 p.m. today.
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