Detroit Tigers: Buying Low as a Trade Strategy

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila is in a difficult situation. The Tigers are in contention, but also need to build for the future. One strategy Avila and the Tigers should consider is buying low.

Detroit Tigers players are just 6.5 games back of Cleveland for the lead in the American League Central. Things would have been much different had the Tigers not lost 11 games to their rivals. However, there’s plenty of time to make up for it in the second half.

J.D. Martinez will provide the team a significant boost when he returns from injury, but even with the outfielder back in the fold, the Tigers have needs.

Martinez’ return, which should push Steven Moya to the bench, could solve the need for another bench bat. However, needs persists. Avila’s team could also use an extra reliever and a starting pitcher or two.

While there are a number of potential moves that can help the team in the present and future, the Tigers should also look to buy low on some players at the deadline. Detroit should target players who’ve found success in the past, but are struggling this season.

The strategy could prove to be beneficial for Detroit, as each trade would be provide little risk and a potentially high reward. Here are some buy-low candidates the team should target.

Jake McGee, Colorado Rockies Relief Pitcher

From 2012 to 2015, Jake McGee was one of the premier setup relievers in the Majors. The 29-year-old pitched to a 2.58 ERA and a 2.31 FIP coming out of Tampa Bay’s bullpen. That stretch also included 286 strikeouts in just 226.2 innings pitched. Additionally, the reliever only allowed 16 total home runs over the four-year span.

Based on those numbers, McGee should be thriving on the team he was traded to in January. However, McGee was traded to the Colorado Rockies.

Acquired in a swap co-headlined by outfielder Corey Dickerson, the former Ray has struggled mightily in the launch pad that is Coors Field.

McGee has posted an eyesore of an ERA at 6.12. His 5.34 FIP isn’t much better. What’s more, his strikeouts are down significantly. In 2015 with Tampa Bay, the veteran struck out 11.6 batters per nine innings. This season, that number is down to 6.8.

With the reliever’s struggles so far this season— not to mention Colorado being eight games below .500, 16 games out of the division race and seven back in the wild card race—Detroit could trade for the reliever at a cut rate.

Additionally, there’s reason to believe that McGee can thrive in a different scenario. The reliever has been victimized by a .333 BABIP. He also owns a 10.80 ERA and has allowed opponents to hit .358 against him in 11.2 home innings. On the road, things are a different story. The former Rays reliever has put up a 2.03 ERA and is holding batters to a .250 batting average away from Coors Field.

Michael Pineda, New York Yankees Starting Pitcher

Of the pitchers listed here, Pineda is probably the least likely to be moved. However, per ESPN, the 44-44 Yankees are split on whether to sell or buy at the deadline.

Should New York end up selling, Pineda would make an excellent addition to the Tigers.

Touted as a future ace when he came up with the Seattle Mariners, Pineda started his career by making the All-Star team and posting a 3.42 FIP and 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

His results have been somewhat mixed since making the move to the Bronx. Pineda is 20-23 with a 4.09 ERA in 332.1 innings for the Yankees since 2014. At first glance, his numbers are even worse this season, as his ERA has risen to 5.38.

Still, there are plenty of reasons to believe Pineda could thrive with the Tigers. The starter has the joint-highest BABIP in the American League at .349, while he also leads the American League with 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings. Additionally, Pineda’s 3.79 FIP is extremely encouraging.

If the Yankees become sellers, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the team deal players like Andrew Miller and C.C. Sabathia—not to mention upcoming free agents like Carlos Beltran, Aroldis Chapman and Ivan Nova. If Miller and Sabathia are dealt, the team will have some significant money coming off the books before free agency begins. In addition to Beltran, Chapman and Nova, Mark Teixeira’s monster contract expires following the season.

With so much money to play with ahead of next season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Yankees completely reload in the offseason. There may not be room for Pineda if the team seeks rotation upgrades. New York will also need to clear a rotation spot for Luis Severino at some point.

Next: 4 In-Depth Potential Moves That Will Detroit Now & Later

A deal sending prospects Austin Kubitza and Zach Shepherd to the Bronx would work well for both parties.