Detroit Tigers: Four Intriguing Trade Targets to Improve Pitching Depth

Jesse Hahn, Oakland Athletics

Like Chris Heston, Jesse Hahn could easily be a mid-rotation starter for the foreseeable future. This much is especially true when you consider that from 2014 to 2015 with San Diego and Oakland Hahn excelled. The right-hander pitched to a 3.23 ERA and a 3.46 FIP in 170 innings. He only walked 57 over the same span, while striking out 134 and allowing just 0.5 home runs per nine innings.

Things didn’t work out for Hahn in 2016, as he made just nine starts for the A’s. During those nine starts, he posted a 6.02 ERA and a 5.63 FIP over 46.1 innings. However, these struggles may work in Detroit’s favor, as the Athletics may be more open to dealing the former Padre.

In addition, Oakland has a significant number of starting pitching options not named Jesse Hahn. On the team’s pitching staff in 2016, 14 pitchers made at least five starts for the A’s. Many of these starters are young and controllable.

Heading into Sean Manea, Sonny Gray and Kendall Graveman are likely assured rotation spots. Oakland has a number of other young, intriguing arms in Raul Alcantara, Jharel Cotton, Daniel Mengden and Andrew Triggs. It is also possible that top prospect Frankie Montas could compete for a rotation spot next season.

Hahn could be available to the Tigers at a relative discount. If that’s the case, Detroit should move quickly. The 27-year-old was victimized by a .320 BABIP last season, and is clearly better than his recent stats indicate.

What’s more, the pitcher is under control through 2020, making him that much more of an appealing trade target.

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Oakland is in need of young outfielders, and the team has deployed a number of speed options in the past, so perhaps Wynton Bernard or Anthony Gose could appeal to the A’s in a trade.