As Nick Castellanos' bat heats up, so is the trade market for the Tigers right fielder.
The Cubs and Phillies are reportedly interested -- and the latter will get to watch Castellanos in person for a two-game series starting Tuesday night in Detroit.
Add the Rays to the mix as well. Per Jon Heyman, Tampa Bay has "checked in on" Castellanos, with the trade deadline looming next Wednesday.
As an AL team, the Rays would have the added benefit of being able to use the defensively-challenged Castellanos as a designated hitter. And Castellanos has looked the part of late.
He's hitting .343 with a .971 OPS over the last month and change. He also leads the majors with 34 doubles.
Still, the return for Castellanos will be light -- assuming the Tigers are able to trade him at all. He's a pending unrestricted free agent whose value is limited to his bat. Detroit's return for J.D. Martinez in 2017 is a lesson in what such a player is worth.
The Rays do have one of the best farm systems in baseball -- including eight prospects in MLB Pipeline's top 100 -- but they won't be shelling out any of their top talent for Castellanos alone.
Perhaps, then, the Tigers could package Castellanos with either Matthew Boyd or Shane Greene. The Rays are reportedly interested in both players. And this is where their loaded farm system would come into play.
If Boyd enters the equation, expect the Tigers to home in on 18-year-old shortstop Wander Franco, the No. 1 overall prospect in the game. If it's Greene, maybe someone like 21-year-old second baseman Vidal Brujan, ranked No. 78 overall.
Otherwise, the Tigers will be looking for more of a diamond in the rough.
