Detroit's front office is clearly looking to the future.
Brad Ausmus and the Tigers, though, are focusing on the present after a win over streaking Baltimore.
Detroit seeks its third straight victory Friday night (6 p.m. pregame, 7:05 first pitch on FOX Sports Detroit) against the Orioles at Camden Yards.
The Tigers (50-52) are only 3 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot in their bid for a fifth straight postseason appearance, though they're behind five teams, including Baltimore (51-50). Deals completed Thursday that sent ace David Price to Toronto and closer Joakim Soria to Pittsburgh - as well as Friday's trade of slugger Yoenis Cespedes to the New York Mets - spoke volumes about general manager Dave Dombrowski's priorities.
"I would much rather be acquiring than I would be trading," Dombrowski said. "But it's just where we are at this point."
Detroit received three left-handed pitchers from the Blue Jays, including 2011 second-round pick Daniel Norris. From the Pirates, they acquired infielder JaCoby Jones, who has 60 RBIs and 15 stolen bases in 96 minor league games this year. They got minor league pitchers Michael Fulmer and Luis Cessa from New York.
The Tigers held on for a 9-8 victory Thursday in Baltimore powered by 16 hits - including three each from Cespedes, Ian Kinsler and Jose Iglesias.
"We're not giving up," Ausmus said. "Would we rather have Price and Soria? Of course. But we don't."
Chris Davis and Adam Jones homered for the Orioles, who gave up two more runs than they had allowed during a five-game winning streak.
Baltimore was heading toward the trade deadline looking for an additional outfield bat, and it got one early Friday by acquiring left fielder Gerardo Parra from Milwaukee. The Orioles have been one of baseball's least productive teams at that position, batting .210 with a major league-low 25 RBIs.
The 28-year-old Parra batted .328 with nine homers and 31 RBIs in 100 games this year. Parra has played all three outfield positions, is a two-time Gold Glove winner and had a 14-game hitting streak through Thursday.
Wei-Yin Chen (5-6, 2.88 ERA) looks to bounce back for Baltimore after failing to record a quality start for the first time in seven games, allowing two runs over 5 1-3 innings of a 5-2 win at Tampa Bay on Sunday. He gave up two homers, something he's done in four of his last six outings. His 1.41 home runs allowed per nine innings are a career-worst.
The left-hander wasn't entirely pleased with being yanked after just 86 pitches.
"I was taken out of the game because I allowed a couple of runners to get on base," he said through a translator. "Anybody would be angry in that situation."
Detroit has been one of the majors' best teams against left-handed pitching, batting .274, and Jose Iglesias is hitting .375.
Chen won his last start against the Tigers, 7-5 in Detroit in 2012, despite giving up five runs in five innings.
Buck Farmer (0-2, 9.22) makes his first appearance for Detroit since a relief outing July 11 when he gave up two runs over 3 1-3 innings against Minnesota.
He's still seeking his first career win after struggling through his first four career starts. He has surrendered 23 runs in 16 2-3 innings, and opponents are hitting .373. He needed 103 pitches to complete 5 1-3 innings in his last start, an 8-2 loss at Cleveland on June 24.
