Detroit Tigers: Three Mike Pelfrey Trade Ideas

Atlanta Braves

Possible Trade: Pelfrey and a prospect to Atlanta in a salary dump.

In recent years, the Atlanta Braves have taken on contracts in moves that are best described as salary dumps—so long as the other team sends a prospect or prospects the Braves’ way.

Detroit could go a similar route by offloading Pelfrey to the Braves, along with a prospect or two buried on the team’s organizational depth chart like Ziomek, Jaye, first baseman Dominic Ficociello or catchers Arvicent Perez or Grayson Grenier.

If Detroit is looking for a Major-League return, the Braves employ a number of veterans on expiring deals. Atlanta has already flipped Jason Grilli and Jhoulys Chacin to other teams this season, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see the team deal Bud Norris, Alexi Ogando, Jim Johnson or Gordon Beckham.

Norris could function as a swingman or a bullpen option for the Tigers, while Ogando and Johnson would provide more depth. In the same vein as his former White Sox teammate Ramirez, Gordon Beckham could be the offensive upgrade to Mike Aviles that Detroit has needed.

If Detroit satisfies the Braves’ prospect need without surrendering top talent, a trade certainly makes sense. Atlanta could potentially have two rotation spots opening up if one or both of Norris and Julio Teheran are dealt.

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If Atlanta can get Pelfrey back on track, the Braves could conceivably flip the starter for more assets in the offseason.