Fading Tigers could make August deals

They’ve yet to admit that they’re sellers, but the Tigers have some trade possibilities while sitting 9 1/2 games back of the Twins in the AL Central and 14 games off the pace in the wild card. Indications are that Johnny Damon, who is on a one-year, $8 million contract, has yet to be placed on waivers. He’s slumping again recently, but he’s hitting .278/.364/.420 for the year. He probably wouldn’t make it all of the way through waivers, but the Red Sox or Rays could claim him and work out a deal with Detroit. He’d seem to be a huge upgrade over Willy Aybar in the DH slot for Tampa Bay. Definitely yet to go on waivers, according to a flip-flopping Ken Rosenthal anyway, is Brandon Inge. Inge would probably get claimed quickly, given that he has only about $1.5 million left on his contract. He’d be a possibility to solidify third base for the Angels or White Sox or serve as a backup for the Yankees. The Tigers, though, may prefer to keep him and try to re-sign him for 2011. Jhonny Peralta, who was picked up last month to help fill in for an injured Inge, would be sure to clear waivers. He’s another slumping Tiger, having hit just .188/.278/.333 for his new team. Still, he could be of use to the Braves with Chipper Jones down. Jeremy Bonderman, another free-agent-to-be, would clear waivers because of his $12.5 million salary. His 4.96 ERA isn’t very impressive, but he has an 86/35 K/BB ratio in 119 2/3 innings and he posted a 3.60 ERA and a 16/2 K/BB ratio in his three starts against NL teams during interleague play. Finally, there’s Carlos Guillen. As a declining, injury-prone player with a $13 million salary, he’s not going to top anyone’s list of potential August acqusitions. However, if the Tigers were willing to eat his salary, he could come in real handy as a part-timer with his ability to play three infield spots and left field. I don’t think he’s a Chipper replacement, but he could be of use in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, the fact that he’s owed another $13 million next year figures to keep him in Detroit.