The trade was announced around 3 p.m., hours before the first pitch of Thursday's Tigers-Royals series opener at Comerica Park. It involved two National League teams, and had no immediate impact on Detroit's chance to turn baseball's best midseason record into a postseason berth.

Then again, July transactions rarely occur in a vacuum.

The most intriguing aspect of the deal, between the Reds and Nationals, was that it sent Austin Kearns to Washington -- a team that already possesses a surplus of outfielders. That might enable aggressive Washington general manager Jim Bowden to deal another outfielder -- perhaps Alfonso Soriano, a player in whom the Tigers have expressed mild interest.

Detroit is one of several potential destinations for Soriano, though not among the most likely. It would be a surprise if the Tigers outbid large-market teams, such as the Angels and Yankees, to obtain the fleet, powerful leftfielder.

The Tigers are most interested in a left-handed bat, but have indicated that they'll consider right-handers, too. Soriano is a righty.

When Detroit's search for a left-handed batter was mentioned Thursday to Kansas City's Matt Stairs, a lefty who might become available this month, he countered with a question: "Why do the Tigers need a left-handed bat?"

Told that Detroit's usual lineup includes only one lefty hitter and one switch-hitter, Stairs replied, "Who cares? They can all rake. Trust me. ... Everybody talks about Detroit needing a left-handed hitter. Why? That team's stacked. They're scarier to face than the Red Sox."
Stairs, 38, hopes to finish his career in Kansas City, and said he does not spend time worrying about where he might be dealt. He fits the profile of a player often traded at this time of year: He has experience, he is playing for a losing team, his contract expires at the end of the season, and he does not have a no-trade clause.

"Whatever happens, happens," said Stairs. "I'm a Kansas City Royal until something happens. Hopefully, it doesn't."

YOUNG MOVES UP: Dmitri Young's rehabilitation assignment moved to Triple-A Toledo on Thursday, as he went 1-for-4 and played the entire game at first base against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

He previously hit .154 (2-for-13) in four games at Double-A Erie.

Asked if he plans to evaluate Young in the majors before the deadline, Tigers manager Jim Leyland said, "Well, I don't really know. ... He hasn't swung the bat very well. If Dmitri can help us, he'll be here. If he can't, he probably won't.

"He's been away quite awhile (since May 22). We're certainly not writing off Dmitri Young. I don't want to make it sound like that. The fact of the matter is, this is the place for production. You've got to be able to do the job."

I like our OF'ers. Thames, Granderson, and Mags with Monroe in the mix.

I do think Polanco could be upgraded, though I do like the guy.

Personally I would rather have Polanco... I like guys that hit for average... If we get anyone I would like to see us get Crawford... 3-4 years left on his deal... Much cheaper... And he hits for average... I like guys that don't make outs... And... Crawford is speedy... Our outfield would look sweet with Crawford, Granderson, and Thames out there... I like Maggs a lot, but I would also like to rest his knees and have the ability to use him more as a true DH... A position that we really lack right now... LoL... Craig Monroe is NOT a DH... your DH should hit over 250...

Crawford WOULD be preferable, but I applaud the Tigers for not paying the King's ransom the Rays are asking (probably deservedly-so).

All of this conjecture is likely moot, however, if the little bird from Minneapolis was right today when he told MLive that the Tigers were very close to consummating a deal to bring in Bobby Abreu.

You have to admit, Abreu is not that much less-desirable than Crawford. Plug him into your outfield with 100-Grand and Thames/Maggs......and D**N!!!

Abreu can also slit time in the Outfield (LF and RF) and DH. Wich will help prolong his career.

It will help pro-long Mag's career too!... That said... LMAO.. Frickin' Craig Monroe is our DH right now!!!... That said... Crawford would be an upgrade at DH as well...

IMO all the talk about Crawford being too expensive and Abreu being the better choice is simply misguided uninformed garbage... Abreu IS the better choice, for this year, BUT... Abreu will also demand more in a trade... Anyone that doesn't think so is simply mis-informed IMO...

I agree, Abreu WILL demand more in a trade. I never argued that point. Simple fact is, the Tigers have the ammo to pull the trigger on both the Abreu and the Soriano trades. Look at the young pitching we have in the Majors. Then take a look at the up and coming pitchers we have in the Minors. We have only a limited number of spots available to them at the Major league level. We simply cannot keep them in the minors for the next 10 years until we have Major league spots available for them. the only way to aleviate the problem is to trade a few of them for other possition players.

By NO MEANS do I mean to trade ALL of them though. You simply have to keep a couple, just due to potential injury factors alone. But, to keep more than 2 Major league prospects in the Minors creates disharmony and unmotivation due to the lack of a reasonable possibility to move up.

The Tigers do have a couple of Major league possitions that could be upgraded with both of these trade possibilities and free up space for a couple of young prospects in the Minors to move up.