Jim Duquette: Detroit Tigers need upgrades at 2025 trade deadline
Former MLB general manager Jim Duquette from MLB Network Radio joins “Days of Roar” with trade options for the Detroit Tigers at the July 31 deadline.
The Detroit Tigers have a new member of their starting rotation.
His name is Troy Melton.
The Tigers officially added Melton to their five-man rotation Saturday, July 26, when they optioned fellow right-hander Keider Montero to Triple-A Toledo. Melton is the Tigers’ No. 6 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
“We certainly want him to feel like he can get his feet wet and help us win,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said before Saturday’s game. “The emergence of Troy, obviously, is part of the conversation when you’re making a move like this, but for Keider, specifically, he’s got things to work on regardless.”
Melton, 24, is scheduled to start for the Tigers in the upcoming three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks — lined up for Tuesday, July 29. After that, he will be on track to start again Aug. 4 against the Minnesota Twins.
Melton made his MLB debut Wednesday, July 23, against the Pittsburgh Pirates, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks with seven strikeouts across five innings. He struggled early in his first start before striking out five batters in his final two innings. His fastball averaged 97 mph and maxed out at 99.2 mph. Of his 14 whiffs, he generated eight on 16 swings against his slider and three on 12 swings against his fastball.
There were a lot of positive signs.
“He really needed the challenge up in the big leagues,” Hinch said of Melton, who had a 2.72 ERA with nine walks and 56 strikeouts across 36⅓ innings (eight games) for Triple-A Toledo. “I think we saw, specifically in the back half of his outing, why we’re excited about his present and his future.”
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Melton joins Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Reese Olson and Casey Mize in the rotation, with the Tigers opening a spot for him by removing Montero.
Montero has a 4.66 ERA with 25 walks and 53 strikeouts across 73⅓ innings in 15 games (nine starts) this season. That’s slightly better than his career numbers: The 25-year-old owns a 4.72 ERA in 34 MLB games (25 starts).
Better execution will lead to better results.
“We can see it when he’s good,” Hinch said. “There’s execution. There’s two types of spin. There’s two different fastballs. There’s an occasional changeup. He can get some really funky swings and misses. When he’s not, it’s long at-bats, it’s big counts, it’s spraying the ball a little bit — and ending up in harm’s way at some point during his outing, especially as the outing gets past 50, 60 pitches.”
The Tigers haven’t considered moving Montero to the bullpen.
Not yet.
Montero will continue to work as a starter for the Mud Hens, but he could be a postseason option for the Tigers in the bullpen, along with Melton.
“I think we’ve proven that we’re willing to do anything,” Hinch said. “Not really pursuing that right now, but I don’t think we’ll really turn our back on any idea like that, if we feel like it’s the best configuration of bullpen, starters, depth, protecting against all situations. If it gives us the best chance to win, then we’re willing to do it.”
Until further notice, Melton is the arm the Tigers are most interested in evaluating as a starter at the MLB level — ahead of Montero and injured right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long.
The best-case scenario?
Melton solidifies himself as one of the Tigers’ five best starters.
The worst-case scenario?
The Tigers unleash him as reliever in the postseason.
“We got to have an answer behind it if we’re going to make a move,” Hinch said, referencing the Melton-for-Montero exchange. “Troy is going to get the opportunity.”
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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