Detroit Tigers' Trade Options: Separating the Possible From the Laughable

This is one of my favorite times in all of sports. However, it comes with an asterisk next to it.

I love this time of year when my Tigers are contending. You have the July non-waiver trade deadline, you have the anticipation of a new season of college and professional football and you have poor Chris Broussard floating ridiculous trade ideas and shredding that last snippet of self-respect he had (could he be the biggest victim of the NBA lockout?).

However, the one caveat with this time of year is that some of the trade ideas that are floated are so ridiculous that they almost don't bear a need for response.

But I will do my best to respond to all that I have heard on the rumor mill and do my best to turn them into something tangible and less laughable.

Matt Kemp: Laughable

You may be asking yourself, "Wait a second, didn't Jay suggest this one?"

The answer is yes. A little over a month or so ago, I floated the possibility that Detroit could be in the market for Kemp, and he could be made available.

I still stand behind the logic. Kemp is a five tool player that plays a position where we have a question mark, center field. He plays for a team that can not afford to keep him, and he is due a big pay day.

Seems like a slam dunk, right? Well, not so fast. The problem here is Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. He is so delusional right now that he will probably sell anything and everything and fire everyone that draws a salary in the front office before he let's any of his big name pieces fly the coop.

So what would it take to get Kemp? Probably our entire minor league system. Additionally, if we wanted to keep him, he would cost us Miguel Cabrera money, and we are not a club that can afford another one of those salaries.

Mike Illitch wants to win, but he doesn't want to tie up $300 million to three players.

A better alternative here might be Michael Bourn from Houston. Personally, I like Hunter Pence more, but Bourn would likely be cheaper.

Ubaldo Jimenez: More Laughable

Ubaldo Jimenez, really? A guy that a couple years ago was being compared to some of the all-time greats? A guy that has one of the most team-friendly salaries in all of baseball?

Colorado has problems and massive ones at that. But they are not insane. Jimenez will be their ace for years to come, and he is very good.

How good? Sure, he has a not so amazing ERA of 4.00. However, that is a very misleading stat. His ERA on the road this year (meaning in normal ball parks where the ball doesn't sail) is 2.28.

I know, imagine how good that would be pitching in CoPa. But it won't happen.

Colorado could ask for our top 10 prospects and then some. This is just too much to give up for Ubaldo.

A better alternative would be someone like Kyle Davies from Kansas City. Sure, you don't like to trade within your division, but Detroit and the Royals have done so twice in three years.

Derek Lowe: Unwise

I know, he is the hometown boy that did good. It would be a nice story. Plus, he has playoff experience and is very good in the second half of seasons of late.

But he costs way too much. Not just this year but next year he is due another $15 million. So instead of us being players on the open market with Carlos Guillen and Magglio Ordonez coming off the books next year, we will likely trot out the same team.

That would include a 39-year-old fifth starter.

Not a wise move.

Plus, he comes from Atlanta, bringing to mind Doyle Alexander comparisons. While I would love the first part of that deal, a division title, the idea of getting fleeced by the Braves again is too much for me (Jair Jurjens anyone? Not to mention John Smoltz).

A smarter pick would be any number of veteran pitchers, such as Bruce Chen from Kansas City.

Carlos Beltran: Intriguing

Now this would be a game-changer for Detroit. Beltran is hitting a cool .293 with 14 homers and a scorching .389 on-base percentage.

You plug him into your lineup at leadoff, and automatically, you will see added wins and RBI.

Beltran might be the premier bat available.

Sadly for Detroit, the Mets know this. They also are in need of some serious re-stocking in their minor leagues, and they would ask for a ton for him.

Detroit actually has a pretty decent minor league system right now and could offer a decent package. But they shouldn't offer too much, such as Jacob Turner or one of their stud third basemen in the low minors for a half-season rental.

But if they can bring the Mets down, they should absolutely take a shot at him.

A less costly option with high upside would be Emilio Bonifacio, although he would be only marginally less expensive.

A better option is that Detroit stand pat in the outfield and hope that Brennan Boesch, Maggs, Jackson and either Andy Dirks or Casper Wells does the trick.

Aaron Harang: Very Believable

The Padres are going with a youth movement in the starting rotation, with everyone younger than 30 except Harang.

And he might just have the most value to Detroit.

Harang is not the sexy pick that some want, but he does exactly what the Tigers need right now. He eats up innings and he is consistently good. He has a 3.19 ERA and hasn't given up more than two runs since May 14, a quality starts streak of seven.

He also will be a free agent after the year, meaning that Detroit can cut bait with him if they so choose.

How expensive will he be? Padres need bats, so maybe Casper Wells would be enough.

Jeremy Guthrie: We Can Do Better

This rumor is probably the least sexy of all. Guthrie is decent enough, but he is not consistent. Over the course of his last 10 starts, he has given up four or more runs on half of those occasions.

Sure, some of that was against division leaders, but isn't that what we will be asking him to do here?

A much better option would be Erik Bedard. He has been injury prone, true. He comes from Seattle, bringing to mind comparisons of Jarrod Washburn, true. But he has been consistent, delivering nothing more than a 3.67 ERA over the last few years.

If we feel that his injuries are behind him, why not take a chance? He is a free agent after the season, so he will be motivated to go for a new contract.

Aramis Ramirez: Intriguing, but Expensive

Now here's a way to jump start our offense and say goodbye to Brandon Inge in one fell swoop.

Ramirez is the preeminent National League third baseman. He has power galore, can get on base and is not incompetent with the glove.

He is, however, very expensive. He is making $15 million this year with a club option for next season of $16 million.

So we waive the club option and buy him out for $2 million, right? Well, not exactly. His salary is flooded with if, ands and buts. I'm not sure the trade itself wouldn't qualify as a waiving of this option.

Besides, he has a full non-trade clause that he could use as blackmail to get his option picked up.

That being said, it might just be worth it if Inge keeps on going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.

So what kind of package would it take? A deal involving Andy Oliver, Charlie Furbush and Casper Wells might not be bad for either club, especially since the big boys don't need third basemen.

This could just happen.

If it doesn't however, Mark Reynolds from Baltimore could be another option.

Jose Reyes: Are You Kidding Me?

The ironic thing here is that before he played Detroit this month, he probably was more likely to get traded to us.

But during a stretch that included three tough games against us, Reyes looked like an MVP player and likely priced himself out of our league.

Then he hurt his hamstring again, something that happens regularly, and reminded teams that his game is predicated on speed, something that will not improve but rather diminish from here on out.

He also plays a position, shortstop, that we have no need for. Jhonny Peralta is not in Reyes' league defensively or speed-wise, but he can rake it and was an All-Star this year. He also is a ton cheaper.

Reyes will command top dollar, including at least two or three blue chip prospects. Look for a contender to get him but one from a big market.

A better alternative? Stop looking at shortstop and start looking at second or third. How great would Placido Polanco look in Detroit right about now? Not happening, but a guy can dream.

If Carlos Guillen can continue to play decently, the real need comes to third. The Mets have David Wright, but he has looked awful this year. Perhaps a change of scenery could help?

But if we are looking at third, the conversation should begin and end with Aramis Ramirez.