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Detroit Tigers Trade Idea Nets Recent Cy Young Award Winner From Faltering National League Team

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 9:31 AM ET

The Detroit Tigers overcame adversity to take down the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night as manager AJ Hinch's team closed out their road foes with a 7-3 win at Comerica Park.

The Tigers improved their record to 47-27 on the season while the Pirates fell to 29-45 with two more games to go in the series.

Detroit's win capped off what was a head-spinning day for baseball fans in the Motor City as several news updates were shared on Tigers players including Reese Olson, Matt Vierling and Jackson Jobe.

It also included a trade proposal from a well known Detroit sports personality that would net Hinch's team one of the best pitchers in baseball from a team that is firmly on the outside looking in of the 2025 MLB Playoffs race.

On Tuesday, 97.1 radio host Mike Valenti, host of the 'Mike Valenti Show With Rico,' shared his Tigers trade idea "that I don't think anyone will argue with," he said.

"A player that, combined with Tarik Skubal, will make you the World Series favorite.

"The problem," Valenti continued, "is what you're going to need to give up."

Valenti, a New York transplant, said that the potential trade would also "hurt the Yankees, who are really the only team that anyone fears or cares about in the AL."

The proposed trade would send Triple Crown pitching winner and 2024 Cy Young award winner Chris Sale to Detroit in exchange for a trade package that would allow the Braves to select either Tigers top minor league prospect Max Clark or #2 ranked prospect Kevin McGonigle, plus fellow highly rated prospects Bryce Rainer, Josue Briceño or Thyron Liranzo.

Detroit would also give up 17-year-old rising international outfielder Cris Rodriguez in the proposed trade.

"This deal is going to cost you. You're going to bleed,' Valenti said according to Audacy.com, the radio station's website.

"You're going to need some frozen peas, if you know what I mean...There's going to be a bidding war.

"The Yankees are going to go after him. The Cubs are going to go after him," Valenti added.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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