MLB Trade Speculation: 5 Pitchers the Detroit Tigers Should Pursue

As the MLB Trade rumors run wild all over the Internet, it's difficult for fans to tell what is simply speculation and what has actually leaked out of the clubhouse and onto the Web.

To clear any of that up here, this article is speculation regarding pitchers the Tigers could target after Noah Trister of the Associated Press reported that Detroit seems interested in making a move to better its rotation.

5. Jason Marquis

Jason Marquis hasn't been making SportsCenter highlights or anything of that nature but he has been winning games on a team that doesn't have many to its name.

The Washington Nationals' hurler is looking like his old 2007-08 form, piling up wins despite a sub-par ERA. Marquis is by no means the missing piece for the Tigers' pitching staff, but his 3.92 ERA is better than both Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello and his eight wins is not too far behind their current marks.

It's possible that Scherzer regains his late 2010 form and Porcello brings down his ERA while continuing to record wins, but even if that happens the Motor City ball club still has questions to answer as far as who its fifth starter will be.

Duane Below is the currently penciled-in fifth man, but renting a veteran like Marquis for the rest of the season might provide the Tigers with some stability where they need it most.

4. Ryan Vogelsong

Perhaps the most unlikely of All-Stars in 2011, Ryan Vogelsong has been nothing short of fantastic for the San Francisco Giants.

Stepping in for the injured Barry Zito, Vogelsong took the ball and delivered again and again for his Bay Area team. I'd say that the longtime Pittsburgh Pirate could be called this season's Colby Lewis, but not even Lewis was as spectacular as this guy.

Vogelsong, who had been pitching over in Japan up until 2010, was seen as little more than an adequate fill in for the Giants' big name pitcher, Zito. However, as the season has gone on, it could be argued that Vogelsong is having a better year than what many analysts expected out of the man he replaced.

Vogelsong currently owns a 2.02 ERA with seven wins and just one loss through 20 games for San Francisco and would look mighty intimidating playing the day after a guy like Justin Verlander.

3. Derek Lowe

As the summer days of July roll on, it appears that the Atlanta Braves aren't as willing to move Derek Lowe as we all once believed.

ESPN's own Jerry Crasnick reported via his Twitter account that the Bravos aren't exactly willing to eat a whole lot of Lowe's $15 million dollar contract if indeed a trade involving their 6'6" right-hander is going to happen.

2011 certainly isn't as stat-friendly for Lowe as his Boston Red Sox and even Los Angeles Dodgers days, but his current 4.37 ERA and 6.3 strikeouts per nine innings are about right for what he's done since donning the tomahawk.

Like Marquis, Lowe is no missing piece to the rotation and is getting up there in age, but he would certainly provide a bit of consistency in a rotation that has been full of question marks this season.

2. Hiroki Kuroda

Another notable name getting thrown around the MLB rumor mill is the Los Angeles Dodgers' Hiroki Kuroda.

The Dodgers appear to be in full selling mode due to financial instability. The team is so broke that it might be willing to listen to offers for Kuroda if it involves LA receiving a truck full of Louisville Sluggers. 

However, their 36-year-old starter has a full no-trade clause and apparently has a preference for pitching on the West Coast according to MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince.

Despite closing in on 40 years of age, Kuroda has posted a consistent ERA somewhere in the threes during his time in the MLB and, as stated before, consistency is something that the Tigers would love to have right now. 

Kuroda has a deceiving 6-11 record as of now, but much of that can be chalked up to the fact that the Dodgers aren't exactly the most dangerous team in the league at the moment.

1. Matt Garza

Not even a full year into his time with the Chicago Cubs, Matt Garza finds himself as one of the most discussed pitchers as we get closer and closer to the July 31 trade deadline.

According to a report by NESN's own Peter Gammons, Cubs GM Jim Hendry has "no interest" in trading some of his highly touted pitchers, namely Garza and teammate Ryan Dempster.

The news from Hendry lessens the likelihood of Garza switching uniforms mid-season, but it wouldn't be the first time a manager, player or organization has told us one thing and then done the complete opposite (do you miss those pinstripes you said you'd never wear, Johnny Damon?).

Garza has been a strikeout machine this season, posting 110 despite missing some time due to a trip to the disabled list earlier this season. His 4-7 record is by no means respectable, but you can't argue his strikeout rate or the fact his 3.80 ERA is his best mark since his 2008 season with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Garza would provide not only stability, but also a name that opposing batters would fear when stepping into the batter's box. If the Tigers are serious about making some upgrades to their rotation, then the man they should target first and foremost is Matt Garza.