MLB trade rumors: Tigers ready to deal Michael Fulmer to Yankees?

by Felix Pantaleón

The Detroit Tigers might trade right-hander Michael Fulmer before the July 31, 2018 (7/31/18) non-waiver deadline. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman could be interested as he looks to upgrade the starting rotation. Other available pitchers include Toronto Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ and Texas Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels.

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Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is shopping for starting pitching before the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline, which may lead him to the Detroit Tigers and right-hander Michael Fulmer.

So the Tigers are doing due diligence on the Yankees, per the New York Post:

With the Yankees keeping an eye Detroit right-hander Michael Fulmer, the Tigers had a scout at Progressive Field on Thursday night to watch the Yankees-Indians game.

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Fulmer isn’t an ace, but could fit in between Sabathia and Masahiro Tanaka or turn Domingo German into a long reliever.

Imagine Yanks lineup with Machado

Fulmer is one of several possible trade targets on a mediocre pitching market, which also features Texas Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels, Toronto Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ, Tampa Bay Rays right-handers Chris Archer and Nathan Eovaldi, Baltimore Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman, Cincinnati Reds right-hander Matt Harvey and Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler.

Fulmer is 3-8 with a 4.11 ERA in 18 starts this season, and will be back on the mound Saturday against the Houston Astros.

He was the 2016 American League Rookie of the Year, going 11-7 with a 3.06 ERA in 26 starts.

Last season, Fulmer regressed a bit, going 10-12 with a 3.38 ERA in 25 starts.

According to Spotrac, the 25-year-old Fulmer will be under team control through 2022. He is making $575,200 this season and is eligible for arbitration beginning in 2019.

Of course, it’s entirely possible Cashman changes his mind, rolls with what he has in the starting rotation, and adds a bat like Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado to a lineup which already leads the majors in home runs (157).

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.