Tigers Make News Again with Blockbuster Deals - jhendricks316's Dynasty

jhendricks316's Dynasty Blog

Tigers Make News Again with Blockbuster Deals

Posted on January 4, 2013 at 04:31 PM.

It's amazing what can go down in a matter of hours. This is the story of how one bad start turned into a completely different ball club.

April 6, 2013: Jon Lester has yet another shaky start, barely making it through the 5th. He gave up 11 hits, but thankfully only 3 runs.

The Tigers try to gauge Lester's value and find a great opportunity in swapping Lester for Howie Kendrick. (Remember, the Tigers know that they have to get rid of Ian Kinsler before the deadline because they can't afford to re-sign him.) The Tigers added the aging Lance Berkman and a prospect to the deal, in order to also acquire Kendrys Morales.

Knowing that Hunter Pence is also in the last year of a deal, the Tigers felt that they may have to part ways with him. Therefore, the Tigers unofficially engaged in a three-team deal, knowing that they needed an elite outfielder and another starter.

With those deals, the Tigers received Ryan Braun and Jered Weaver. Ian Kinsler heads to the Brewers, and Hunter Pence heads to the Angels.

Fiscally speaking, the Tigers are barely safe. They have less than $500K in budget space, but there are no major contracts to renew this offseason. However, another budget scare next year is inevitable.