Detroit Tigers Not Expected to Make This Young Slugger Available at Trade Deadline

The Detroit Tigers, who don't figure to factor in the playoff race this year, aren't expected to go full-sell mode either.

Entering play on Saturday, the Detroit Tigers are 44-53 and in third place in the American League Central.

Despite the fact that they don't figure to factor into the playoff race this year, the team is not expected to go full sell-mode at the impending trade deadline, either.

The following comes from MLB Insider Jon Morosi on Twitter:

Trade interest in Tigers OF/DH Kerry Carpenter is robust, but rival execs expect Detroit to keep him for the long term. 

The Tigers view Carpenter as part of their future and believe they can contend sooner rather than later.

Trade interest in Tigers OF/DH Kerry Carpenter is robust, but rival execs expect Detroit to keep him for the long term.

The Tigers view Carpenter as part of their future and believe they can contend sooner rather than later.@MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 21, 2023

The 25-year-old Carpenter made his debut in August of 2022 after being a 19th-round draft selection in the 2019 draft.

He's hitting .260 this season with a .322 on-base percentage, having popped 11 homers and driven in 29.

As for the Tigers ability to contend, that's not a crazy statement, if the team can just stay healthy. The Tigers built several recent drafts around pitching and have gotten very little in the way of contributions from Matt Manning and Casey Mize, who have been routinely injured. Tarik Skubal also spent a considerable amount of time on the injured list this year.

If Carpenter does stay in the organization through the deadline, he'll join outfielder Riley Greene and former No. 1 overall pick Spencer Torkelson as the future position player core.

The Tigers will take on the San Diego Padres on Saturday night.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. ET as Manning gets the ball for Detroit.

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