Realistically, the Tigers would have trouble dumping salary if they tried. The degree of difficulty on trading many of their big contracts -- Dontrelle Willis, Jeremy Bonderman, Nate Robertson, Carlos Guillen and Magglio Ordonez -- would be high without eating a lot of money themselves. The two Tigers garnering the most reported interest on the trade block -- Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson -- have much more manageable salaries. Trading them won't reduce payroll much, but it could bring back young talent in return that would fill multiple needs on the roster. The real salary relief comes next winter, when contracts to Willis, Bonderman, Robertson and Brandon Inge expire and Ordonez has another option.

Guillen's monster performance will no doubt garner some fantasy attention. The problem is that it came on the heels of a prolonged slump, much like his last big showing, on Aug. 31. Entering Wednesday, the infielder-turned-outfielder was hitting just .171 during September, so think twice before riding this wave.

Guillen fouled out to first, part of an 0-for-4 performance, but the result wasn't as important as the comfort level. And he felt comfortable enough that he's thinking about returning to switch-hitting regularly. The veteran outfielder gave up switch-hitting earlier this season, in large part due to health issues.

Detroit skipper Jim Leyland wants to get as many left-handed hitters into his lineup as he can against Cleveland starter Fausto Carmona. That means Alex Avila will get the start behind the plate, as will Clete Thomas in right field, Carlos Guillen in left and Aubrey Huff at DH.

Guillen's road back from the DL hasn't been easy, but his run production has certainly surged in recent weeks, having delivered six homers and 15 RBIs in his last 15 games. Tuesday's effort was his finest yet in an otherwise injury-laden campaign, leaving him with a .249 average, eight dingers and 29 RBIs in 205 at-bats heading into September.

Moving down from third to fifth in the Angels lineup helped Guillen snap an 1-for-13 slump. The veteran outfielder/third baseman remains far too inconsistent to recommend adding, but a strong track record makes him someone to monitor down the stretch. He enters Tuesday hitting .242 with six jacks and 25 RBIs in 190 at-bats.

It was Guillen's second straight game in left field after he made 19 of his first 21 starts since coming off the disabled list at either DH or first base. The arrival of Aubrey Huff prompted the move to left. The homer was Guillen's third in seven games, one of the many benefits of moving up to the three-spot in the batting order.

Coming off a resurgent season in which he collected 32 homers and 108 RBIs, Huff has come crashing down to earth this year with a mediocre .253 average, 13 homers and a .405 slugging percentage. Leaving the hitter-friendly confines of Oriole Park at Camden Yards probably won't help much, either, considering it's where he sports a lifetime .506 slugging percentage. Compare that to a meager .412 mark at Comerica Park, and it's hard to imagine things getting better for him in Detroit. The one major asset is the presence of superstar Miguel Cabrera, who will likely bat ahead of Huff and provide plenty of RBI opportunities. The Tigers plan to play the 34-year-old in multiple spots, but with Cabrera locked in at first and Brandon Inge manning third, DH and left field are Huff's most likely destinations. That means Carlos Guillen and Clete Thomas will likely have to make the most of limited playing time. In Baltimore, Ty Wigginton stands the best chance to fill Huff's shoes at first base.

Guillen entered the day batting a modest .250 in August, but with two homers in his last four games, he may be getting comfortable at the plate again. Consider grabbing the versatile veteran if he's still available on the wire, as his track record suggests he could provide some punch down the stretch.

Cabrera, who is wearing a brace, said he was unable to swing the bat with any authority. Carlos Guillen wound up starting at first base in his place on Wednesday. The heavy-hitting first baseman has no specific timetable for when he expects to return. If his hand feels better Thursday, he said he'll play.

Guillen has racked up three multi-hit outputs in the last four games, representing his best stretch of hacking since April. The elder statesman’s season has been marred by injuries, which helps explain why he’s batting just .245, more than 40 points off his career average of .288.

Whether Leyland plans to put Guillen in left field at Fenway Park this coming week still isn't clear. Guillen, who returned two weeks ago from a 2 1/2-month stay on the disabled list with right shoulder problem, said he has been feeling good making throws in workouts and could be available in the outfield in the coming days, depending on when Leyland needs him. However, Leyland sounded Sunday like he's still weighing how to handle his veteran left-handed hitter, not wanting to risk re-injury. Guillen entered Sunday batting .278 (15-for-54) with a double, triple, two home runs and eight RBIs in 14 games since returning from the DL.

A day after manager Jim Leyland said Guillen felt like he was "about ready to go out in left field," Guillen said he thinks he can be out there by the end of the week, a move that would give Detroit a chance at more flexibility. The Tigers lost a left-handed hitter when they dealt Josh Anderson to the Royals earlier in the week, leaving Clete Thomas as the only left-handed bat as a corner outfielder. For the most part, Marcus Thames and Ryan Raburn have been platooning in left.

Guillen is 5-for-12 (.417) with a homer and three RBIs in his three games since returning from the disabled list. If you consider the solid batting average, home run, RBI and steal numbers he's posted year after year, then it should reason that Guillen is one of the more favorable pickups lurking on free agent lists.

Guillen, who hit .200 with six RBIs in 24 games earlier this year, is still hampered by the right shoulder inflammation that sidelined him since May 4. For now, the switch-hitter will only bat left-handed and will be limited to a DH role. He’ll spit time there with Marcus Thames, who will begin playing more left field in place of Ryan Raburn. Anderson hit .242 with 16 RBIs and 13 steals in 74 games for the Tigers.