Earlier on Thursday, Jon Morosi stated that the Tigers are interested in trading for Carlos Beltran. Jerry Crasnick followed by saying that, while the Tigers aren't really involved in the sweepstakes, there's no shortage of others that are:
#RedSox and #SFGiants among 6-7 teams in play on Carlos Beltran. #Tigers being mentioned in speculation, but they're not in the mix
It should come as little surprise that Beltran is a hot commodity. He has an .880 OPS. He's played in nearly every game this season. He's a versatile outfielder on a short-term contract. He might be the best player on the market, so of course he'll be sought by teams with title dreams.
And the Red Sox and Giants, not shockingly, are among those interested. The Red Sox aren't getting anything out of J.D. Drew, while the Giants aren't getting anything out of anybody. Nate Schierholtz has the second-highest OPS on the team at .807, but he's Nate Schierholtz, and Andres Torres has been a disappointment. Beltran would slide neatly into the middle of a Giants order that could badly use his punch, or any punch.
There are just over two weeks between now and the trade deadline. This Beltran contest could spin out of control.