Now, the Tigers are back in the Motor City, where they have been exceptional. Heading into the weekend, the Bengals are 23-9 at Comerica Park, good for the second-best home record in the major leagues. The Tigers are still atop the AL Central, eight games up on the Minnesota Twins.

Last year, the Tigers entered the trade deadline as clear sellers. They were a young organization still trying to accumulate talent. They seemed to be out of contention and were aiming toward the future.