Detroit Tigers: Six Moves That Will Help Detroit Make the Playoffs in 2017

Trade Mark Lowe, Wynton Bernard and Joe Mantiply to Colorado for Double-A pitcher Jerry Vasto

In this potential trade, the Detroit Tigers would get out of Lowe’s salary for the future while also making room on the team’s 40-man roster. From Colorado’s perspective, the Rockies acquire a reliever to potentially replace Boone Logan while also netting two young pieces.

Win-win, right?

What could be even more appealing to Colorado is that Lowe is on an expiring deal. The Rockies could try to rebuild his value and move him at the deadline for some kind of prospect return.

Additionally, both Mantiply and Bernard are buried on the organizational depth chart.

Moving the 25-year-old Mantiply, who was tagged for seven hits, five runs, two walks and a home run in just 2.2 innings last year, would create a 40-man roster spot. Detroit could use that spot to take a flier on a player who hits the waiver wire.

Meanwhile, there are seven outfielders ahead of Bernard on the organizational depth chart. In addition to Detroit’s starting trio, Tyler Collins, JaCoby Jones and Steven Moya are all ahead of the fleet-footed Bernard.

With Andrew Romine able to handle the outfield and Mike Gerber closing fast on the former Padres farmhand, the Tigers could conceivably decide to move Bernard for something of value.

Jerry Vasto

A 24^th-round pick of the Rockies back in 2014, the 24-year-old Vasto was only promoted to Double-A part of the way through last season.

Despite that, he’s posted intriguing numbers in the low minors. The left-hander owns a career rate of 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings, and just 0.4 home runs allowed per nine frames. He’s also logged a 2.58 career ERA and walked just 42 batters in 115 innings.

With a number of arms blocking Vasto in Colorado’s system, the Rockies may be more inclined to deal him.