Stalled rebuild could work out for Tigers

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Tigers arrived at baseball’s Winter Meetings on Sunday as one of the most intriguing sellers, looking to their long-term future. Unless something unexpected happens, they’ll leave on Thursday as a stronger contender for 2017 without making a single move.

They’ve improved their chances to contend by their inability to do anything — and their division competition decisively rebuilding. It’s the bright side to what would otherwise be a frustrating Winter Meetings.

“I can’t say it’s frustrating or disappointing,” general manager Al Avila said of their inaction. “We still have a pretty good team moving into 2017. So in that sense, I guess it’s a positive.”

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The White Sox doubled down on their Chris Sale trade to Boston on Wednesday by trading Adam Eaton to Washington, and they’re not likely to stop trading established players. Lefty starter Jose Quintana, slugger Jose Abreu, third baseman Todd Frazier and closer David Robertson could be next to go if the White Sox can gain more prospects.

The young talent in return could make them a juggernaut in a few years. For 2017, though, the deals make for a long season.

The Royals traded their star closer, Wade Davis, to the Cubs for outfielder Jorge Soler, and have been rumored for more deals among a crop of championship-caliber players heading into their final year before free agency. They might not do a total rebuild, but they’re thinner now than they were as a third-place team behind Detroit this past season.

“They’re still very good,” Avila warned.

Meanwhile, the Twins have their …

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