Keep an eye on these players as we approach the July 30th deadline.

The July 30th, 6:00 p.m. ET MLB trade deadline is rapidly approaching. Despite a new wave of injuries to key players, trade activity is just beginning to pick up. The Tigers are heavily involved in rumors, and we’ll explore potential moves. However, given the recent trend of quieter July deadlines, it’s possible this season might not be overly hectic.

On Thursday, the Miami Marlins traded lefty A.J. Puk to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Late Thursday night, the Rays traded Randy Arozarena for a pair of solid but unspectacular prospects. Notably, Chicago White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet’s trade terms were reported. Crochet, having a breakout season after years of injuries, has emerged as a frontline starter but is exceeding his previous workload limits. Reports indicate Crochet would refuse to pitch in October without an extension.

A few more deals occurred on Friday and Saturday, but with the deadline just three days away, we can expect a lot of news and trades in the coming days.

Let’s examine the future of ten Tigers players as the deadline approaches.

**Tarik Skubal**

Starting with Skubal, the chances of the Tigers’ ace being traded are slim but not zero. Only the Baltimore Orioles have the near major league-ready prospects that could ensure the Tigers’ front office doesn’t look foolish. With only one team capable of making such a deal, the likelihood is low. The Tigers have no urgent need to trade Skubal and can demand a high price. However, Orioles GM Mike Elias is unlikely to trade top position player prospects for one pitcher, even one of Skubal’s caliber. The Tigers’ front office would risk alienating the fanbase with such a move.

National and local media have heavily speculated on Skubal’s trade potential, but it feels unlikely the Orioles will meet the Tigers’ demands. It’s hard to see any other contender willing and able to make such a deal right now.

**Jack Flaherty**

Flaherty’s resurgence in a Tigers uniform has been a delight this season. The team aggressively pursued the 28-year-old right-hander in the offseason, with Scott Harris, A.J. Hinch, and the coaching staff working to revive his career after four mediocre and injury-plagued seasons. Mission accomplished.

With the Tigers, Jack Flaherty has ditched his cutter, which improved his fastball movement. His confidence in his fastball grew as he started generating more whiffs, opening up opportunities for his excellent pair of breaking balls. His 2.95 ERA and 3.10 FIP, along with the second-best K-BB rate among starting pitchers, indicate that joining Detroit was the right move. Chris Fetter and his staff could become a more popular destination for pitchers looking to revitalize their careers.

It’s tempting to imagine a 2025 rotation featuring Skubal, Flaherty, Olson, Jobe, and Mize, but it’s almost certain that Flaherty will be traded soon. Given his injury history and the Tigers’ need to improve their offense, trading him makes sense. As a player representative to the union, Flaherty was deeply involved in the last CBA negotiation and likely values the opportunity to reach free agency at his peak. A last-minute, team-friendly extension seems unlikely, and the Tigers have probably already inquired about it.

Regarding the White Sox’ Garrett Crochet, there are concerns for any team looking to trade for him as a rental. An Orioles deal involving Coby Mayo, Samuel Basallo, and a top pitching prospect for Luis Robert Jr. and Crochet seemed plausible until news about Crochet’s stance on his health and workload emerged. It could still work if the Orioles are open to extension talks, but it becomes complicated if Crochet won’t pitch in the postseason without a new contract.

Therefore, Flaherty is the best rental arm available, and the Tigers should get a good prospect in return for him. While not a top 30-40 blue chipper, a back-of-the-top-100 prospect is feasible. Last year, they acquired Hao-Yu Lee, a quality prospect ranked around 200 nationally, who has since developed into a promising young hitter at the Double-A level. They should be able to secure an even better prospect for Flaherty.

The Tigers could keep Flaherty and, assuming a strong finish to the season, make a one-year qualifying offer that he would likely refuse, thus granting the Tigers an extra compensation round pick in the draft. While this is highly unlikely, it does provide the Tigers with leverage that potential trade partners must consider. The Orioles, Astros, Dodgers, Yankees, and even division rivals like the Guardians and Twins, all need another strong starting pitcher to bolster their chances in October.

For years, the Tigers struggled to develop a system that could enhance players, failing repeatedly to sign and nurture tradeable talent that could accelerate the farm system’s growth. Jack Flaherty represents what a capable coaching staff like Chris Fetter’s can achieve. The Tigers should receive significant compensation, and Flaherty will be fondly remembered by Tigers fans. Scott Harris did well to acquire infielder Hao-Yu Lee for Michael Lorenzen last July, but the Eduardo Rodriguez situation undermined the trade deadline efforts last year. This time, competition for Flaherty will be fierce, and the Tigers need to capitalize on this opportunity.

**Carson Kelly**

Another likely trade involves veteran catcher Carson Kelly. Signed by Scott Harris from the Arizona Diamondbacks last August, Kelly has improved his framing skills under A.J. Hinch and the Tigers’ coaching staff. He’s also swinging the bat like he did during his peak years, following a couple of down seasons that led the Diamondbacks to favor Gabriel Moreno. Kelly is on pace for the best season of his career.

Given Dillon Dingler’s breakout performance, and Kelly becoming a free agent at season’s end, it’s time to trade Kelly. This situation showcases A.J. Hinch and the Tigers’ coaching staff’s ability to enhance players’ performance. Trading Kelly will likely yield a decent prospect, making an inexpensive acquisition turn into valuable future assets.