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5 Players Detroit Tigers Can Probably Only Dream About Trading For

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Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
With the month of July fast approaching, many have begun to wonder if the third-place Detroit Tigers will be buyers or sellers at this year's trade deadline. In all likelihood, the Tigers will probably be buyers again and continue chasing after their fifth consecutive AL Central crown. However, considering their depleted farm system and already-high payroll, they may not be able to land some of the bigger names this time around. Here are five players who are probably out of the question for Detroit.

With the month of July fast approaching, many have begun to wonder if the third-place Detroit Tigers will be buyers or sellers at this year's trade deadline. In all likelihood, the Tigers will probably be buyers again and continue chasing after their fifth consecutive AL Central crown. However, considering their depleted farm system and already-high payroll, they may not be able to land some of the bigger names this time around. Here are five players who are probably out of the question for Detroit.

5. Jonathan Papelbon

5. Jonathan Papelbon Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Although Joakim Soria has begun to stumble a bit as of late and the Tigers could use some insurance in the closer's role, the prospect of Jonathan Papelbon coming to the Motor City seems quite unlikely. For starters, the 34-year-old has a $13 million option that is very likely to vest (he needs to finish 55 games in 2015 or 100 from 2014-15). Given their other financial commitments, the Tigers may want to steer clear. Plus, according to a report from Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com that came out over the winter, the Tigers are not one of the 12 teams to which he can't block a trade.

Although Joakim Soria has begun to stumble a bit as of late and the Tigers could use some insurance in the closer's role, the prospect of Jonathan Papelbon coming to the Motor City seems quite unlikely. For starters, the 34-year-old has a $13 million option that is very likely to vest (he needs to finish 55 games in 2015 or 100 from 2014-15). Given their other financial commitments, the Tigers may want to steer clear. Plus, according to a report from Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com that came out over the winter, the Tigers are not one of the 12 teams to which he can't block a trade.

4. Todd Frazier

4. Todd Frazier Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Due to Nick Castellanos' struggles, the subject of third base has been a fairly hot topic among Tigers fans lately. Todd Frazier's name has begun to pop up a bit in trade rumors in recent days, but it would be quite surprising to see the Tigers pry him away from the Cincinnati Reds. Right now, his stock is very high, and he is under team control through 2017. Plus, there will likely be plenty of other teams with more to offer if and when the Reds decide to move Frazier.

Due to Nick Castellanos' struggles, the subject of third base has been a fairly hot topic among Tigers fans lately. Todd Frazier's name has begun to pop up a bit in trade rumors in recent days, but it would be quite surprising to see the Tigers pry him away from the Cincinnati Reds. Right now, his stock is very high, and he is under team control through 2017. Plus, there will likely be plenty of other teams with more to offer if and when the Reds decide to move Frazier.

3. Johnny Cueto

3. Johnny Cueto Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
With issues in the starting rotation, Johnny Cueto's name has come up in some circles as a possible trade target of the Tigers. A free-agent-to-be, the price tag on Cueto may not be too steep considering the fact that he would be a rental, but the Tigers may still not have enough to get the job done. Unless the Reds are enamored by names such as Steven Moya and Buck Farmer or the Tigers have a three-way deal up their sleeve, don't count on the 2014 NL Cy Young runner-up coming to Detroit.

With issues in the starting rotation, Johnny Cueto's name has come up in some circles as a possible trade target of the Tigers. A free-agent-to-be, the price tag on Cueto may not be too steep considering the fact that he would be a rental, but the Tigers may still not have enough to get the job done. Unless the Reds are enamored by names such as Steven Moya and Buck Farmer or the Tigers have a three-way deal up their sleeve, don't count on the 2014 NL Cy Young runner-up coming to Detroit.

2. Aroldis Chapman

2. Aroldis Chapman Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
In recent weeks, the name Aroldis Chapman, the left-handed flamethrower who may be the best closer in all of baseball, has begun to surface in trade rumors. Like Frazier and Cueto, however, there may simply be other teams with more to offer. Chapman remains under team control through next season as well.

In recent weeks, the name Aroldis Chapman, the left-handed flamethrower who may be the best closer in all of baseball, has begun to surface in trade rumors. Like Frazier and Cueto, however, there may simply be other teams with more to offer. Chapman remains under team control through next season as well.

1. Cole Hamels

1. Cole Hamels Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Although Cole Hamels would indeed be the perfect fit for the Tigers, there may simply be too many obstacles standing in the way. Between the money he is owed and the prospects that it would cost to deal for him, the chances of him sporting the Olde English D anytime soon probably aren't very good. Plus, the last time anyone checked, Detroit was still one of the 20 teams that he couldn't be traded to without his permission.

Although Cole Hamels would indeed be the perfect fit for the Tigers, there may simply be too many obstacles standing in the way. Between the money he is owed and the prospects that it would cost to deal for him, the chances of him sporting the Olde English D anytime soon probably aren't very good. Plus, the last time anyone checked, Detroit was still one of the 20 teams that he couldn't be traded to without his permission.

Brad Faber is a writer for RantSports. Like him on Facebook.
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