Detroit Tigers: Potential Outfield Additions

Detroit Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez was placed on the 15-day disabled list after fracturing his elbow in Thursday’s win. Per MLB.com’s Jason Beck, Martinez is “expected to miss four-six weeks.”

Detroit Tigers starting outfielders were generally playing well before J.D. Martinez landed on the disabled list. Justin Upton seemed to be turning a corner thanks to a six-game hit streak, while both Martinez and Cameron Maybin were performing at above-average levels.

Even before J.D. injured his elbow, the team needed outfield depth. Steven Moya, the player called up to replace Martinez, was the only viable option in Triple-A. JaCoby Jones needs more seasoning, while Tyler Collins, Anthony Gose and Wynton Bernard are all grossly underperforming.

As it stands, Moya will likely receive the lion’s share of at-bats. Not only is he the best player currently in the Tigers organization, he’s also the most likely to provide the same qualities Martinez brings to the lineup—power and the ability to drive in a significant number of runs.

Hopefully the young outfielder can make an impact. However, even if he does perform, the team needs depth. Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Desmond Jennings are two options who make sense. Here are four more.

Oswaldo Arcia

Arcia is perhaps the easiest to acquire of all the players on this list. That’s mainly because, per MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger, he was recently designated for assignment. However, that doesn’t mean he isn’t a fit as a potential depth piece.

At only 25-years-old, Arcia still has the potential to be a contributor to a Major League team. He certainly flashed that potential in 2013 and 2014.

During his rookie campaign in 2013, the former Twin hit .251 with a .304 on-base percentage, drove in 43 runs and scored 34. He also added 17 doubles, 14 home runs, two triples and a stolen base in 97 games.

The 2014 season saw the outfielder make some serious strides in the power department. While his batting average dropped to .231, the player’s on-base percentage stayed around the same mark, coming in at and even .300. Arcia mashed 20 home runs and drove in 57 runs in 103 games, raising his slugging percentage and OPS in the process.

Things haven’t gone as well for the former Twin over the past two seasons as he’s appeared in only 51 games since the start of the 2015 campaign. However, the potential remains. He may not turn into another J.D. in terms of making an impact, but Arcia could benefit from a change of scenery.

Melvin Upton Jr.

Melvin Upton has so far played with his brother Justin Upton (you may have heard of him) in both Atlanta and San Diego. A third reunion in Motown probably seems unlikely, but the older Upton brother is still an option for the Tigers as a fourth outfielder.

The former Tampa Bay stalwart has posted a stat line that while not spectacular, is still respectable. In 67 games, Upton is hitting .250 with a .304 on-base percentage. He’s also added 31 home runs, 17 extra-base hits—including nine home runs—and 15 stolen bases. What’s more, the outfielder is providing dependable defense in the outfield and has a 1.2 WAR.

There are really only two plausible ways Upton can be dealt to Detroit. The first is pretty simple, San Diego would have to be willing to eat most of the money still owed to the outfielder. Upton is signed through 2017 at a premium rate, and the Padres would need to pay for a significant amount of the player’s salary for it to work with the Tigers. In other words, Detroit seems unlikely to take on more money.

However, another avenue would be to send Mike Pelfrey’s contract to San Diego to help offset the salaries. The Padres would still need to eat some of Upton’s contract, but a deal built around Pelfrey and Upton could work.

Detroit has two pitchers waiting who could conceivably take Pelfrey’s place in the rotation in Anibal Sanchez (the bullpen) and Daniel Norris (Triple-A).

Meanwhile, Pelfrey could benefit from a change of scenery as he’s been victimized by a high BABIP in Detroit. What’s more, a switch to spacious Petco Park—not to mention a lack of designated hitter—could help the former Twin.

If San Diego are able to get quality innings from Pelfrey, they could conceivably trade him for more assets this winter as they continue to rebuild.

Josh Reddick

Another rental option, Josh Reddick would be a potential impact addition acquired at a cut-rate cost.

Reddick is currently on the disabled list, but when he returns, he’d make an ideal addition to the Detroit roster.

Since arriving in Oakland in the Andrew Bailey deal, the outfielder has become one of baseball’s most complete players. The 29-year-old is a former Gold-Glove winner and an excellent fielder in right field. Reddick also hits in the middle of the A’s lineup and posted impressive numbers last season.

The former Red Sox player hit .272 while adding 77 RBI, 25 doubles, 20 home runs and 10 stolen bases. What’s more, he only struck out 65 times in 526 at-bats. To put that in perspective, Victor Martinez has averaged 52 strikeouts in an average of 535 at-bats over the last three seasons.

Reddick has continued to impress this season. In 41 games, he’s posted a career-highs in batting average (.322), on-base percentage (.394) and slugging percentage (.466). The outfielder has also added six doubles, five home runs, four stolen bases and 18 RBI. He’s only struck out 22 times and has chipped in with 18 base on balls.

In terms of a return, it is hard to predict what Oakland would want.

On one hand, Reddick could cost a significant return considering his track record and current production. On the other hand, Reddick is a free agent after the season, and Oakland may want to cash in now and get something in return rather than risk losing him for nothing in the winter. The A’s did this last season with players like Scott Kazmir, Tyler Clippard and Ben Zobrist.

Next: Tigers Front Office Has New Approach

With Reddick hitting free agency this winter, the cost to acquire him would be likely comparatively lower than if he was controlled for more years. With so many high-upside young pitchers in organization, Detroit could deal from a position of depth and send Jairo Labourt, Ziomek or Kubitza and a lower-level prospect to Oakland.