Now, as the Tigers prepare for their first deadline as buyers in 11 years -- and their first under team president Scott Harris -- the landscape looks dramatically different. The idea of trading an elite prospect for a two-month rental is largely a thing of the past. Teams are more concerned about club control and long-term value.

Despite an excellent first-half record, the Detroit Tigers have been in quite a rut since the All-Star break. In their first six games coming out of the break, the Tigers have a 1-5 record and were recently swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates.