Al Avila awakens from his deadline slumber

The Detroit Tigers have traded backup pitcher Michael Fulmer to division rivals Minnesota Twins just minutes before the deadline.

Fulmer is a good back-end relief pitcher and, despite his injury woes, should be able to find success in Minnesota against a very familiar opponent.

With Detroit playing Minneapolis earlier in the week, Fulmer only has to go through the locker room. Fulmer has a 3.20 ERA and 3.22 FIP so far this season in Detroit, where he’s helping build Gregory Soto along with Andrew Chafin, who was also a commercial candidate. His 23.1 percent strike rate and 11.5 percent swinging strike rate only help.

Prospective pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long is on his way back to Detroit.

Trade details by Michael Fulmer

Gipson-Long was a former sixth-round selection. He might be a decent pitcher, but he doesn’t rank highly in Minnesota’s system.

Al Avila could very well be on his way out of Detroit, and such moves in a running year won’t help him. Avila oversaw most of the rebuilding of the Tigers and for what? Relief pitchers like Fulmer, who is on a contract year, should bring back at least one top-30 prospect.

As for Minnesota, Fulmer should slide right into the back end of her bullpen, just like he did in MoTown. The Gemini’s pen remains a weakness, but with Fulmer in tow, an active trading period in Minnesota ends with another useful piece being added to the clubhouse.