The major league trading deadline is July 31 and I'm told the Tigers might be buyers this year, provided the price is right. But Jim Leyland hopes the team can make a significant addition before that.
     "Carlos Guillen could be our trade," the Tigers' manager declared before sending Guillen to Lakeland to play his way back into baseball shape.
     "He could be the bat we're looking for, if he comes back and hits the way he is capable of hitting. If you can pick up a switch hitter who is a good one like Carlos has been, that's a pretty good addition. If he's ready, that's a really good sign.
     "Guillen could be our shot in the arm. Who knows?"
     Trade deadline deals, after all, are a crap shoot.
     Last year, the Tigers dumped Pudge Rodriguez on the eve of the trade deadline in exchange for Kyle Farnsworth.They had already written Rodriguez out of their future plans and hoped Farnsworth could bolster their bullpen. He didn't.
     In 2006, the Tigers traded for Sean Casey, who turned out to be a major factor in their pursuit of the American League pennant.
     In 2005, they acquired Zach Miner and Roman Colon at the trade deadline in exchange for the aforementioned Farnsworth. What goes around sometimes comes around.
     In 2001, they picked up pitcher Mark Redman from the Twins for Todd Jones. In 1999, they acquired Mike Maroth from the Red Sox for Bruce Florie.
     "If you think you've got a shot to improve your club, and it makes sense, I think we'd do it," Leyland said. "But a lot of teams are looking for a shot in the arm."
     A healthy, hitting Guillen, who has been sidelined since May 4 and never really got going this year, might be the best addition that the Tigers can hope to make.