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Detroit Tigers: Winning the Hot Stove Winter Meetings

By Kristen Bentley |
May 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez (41) rounds third base after hitting a two run home run against Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) during the third inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez (41) rounds third base after hitting a two run home run against Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) during the third inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Even though the Detroit Tigers Al Avila has yet to make any deals in the Winter Meetings in Maryland, the team is winning the trades.

The Detroit Tigers are simply winning by not doing anything because everyone else in the AL Central seems to be taking care of them.

With the trade of Wade Davis to the Chicago Cubs and Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox, the Tigers are (hopefully) already getting a few more wins out of these deals.

And, there is already another rumor in the works that another nuisance on the Chicago White Sox may be on the move, too. Rumor has it that Adam Eaton is on the way to the Washington Nationals.

May 1, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Royals relief pitcher Wade Davis (17) throws to first base on a grounder in the ninth against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium. KC won the game 4-1. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY SportsNationals.
May 1, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Royals relief pitcher Wade Davis (17) throws to first base on a grounder in the ninth against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium. KC won the game 4-1. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY SportsNationals. /

Welcome to the AL East, Mr. Sale

While the Tigers have not had too much difficulty with Chris Sale over the years, he always brings a subtle threat with him. Over the years, the Tigers have had a .463 SLG, a .344 OBP, and .807 OPS against him. Of the Tigers, Victor Martinez will miss him the most. The DH has had serious success against Sale with a .481 OBP, .761 OBP, and a remarkable 1.242 OPS in 46 at-bats. Without Martinez’s success against Sale, we fans would not have had the laughter of “Binoc-gate.”

Don’t forget that J.D. Martinez‘s unforgettable home run in 2016 was off of Chris Sale. So, there’s that, too.

With Sale pitching for the Boston Red Sox, there is a chance that the Tigers might not face him at all since the two teams meet for a set of games in Detroit and another in Boston.

More from Detroit Tigers News

Wade Davis Moves to the NL

The biggest win for the Tigers came today when perennial pain in the rear Wade Davis was delivered to the Chicago Cubs. Unless the Tigers face the Cubs in the World Series in 2017, the two teams will not meet at all. This is a BIG blessing. Other than one game in 2016, Davis has a complete nightmare for the Tigers – shutting down everyone with the exception of Miguel Cabrera and Jose Iglesias. In 100 at-bats against him, the Tigers have hit two home runs. They’ve hit a .325 OBP, .370 SLG, and .695 OPS.

Now, if Adam Eaton is shipped out of the AL, the Tigers pitchers will get some respite. Eaton has had his way with plenty of Tigers pitchers including Mike Pelfrey, Mark Lowe, and Anibal Sanchez. A few Tigers pitchers have dominated the petite outfielder – Justin Verlander, Kyle Ryan, and Alex Wilson. He has hit .385 OBP, .448 SLG, and .832 OPS against the Tigers.

If he goes to the Nationals, the Tigers will not have to see him again for a few years.

Next: Verlander Trade Market Dwindling

Of course, the Winter Meetings have one more night and day before the big boys head home for the holidays. There are many more trades that could happen, but if these “Tiger-helpers” continue, fans won’t hear many complaints. If only the Cleveland Indians could trade away a few…

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