Detroit Tigers: Three Potential J.D. Martinez Trades

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Aug 3, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers J.D. Martinez (28) receives congratulations from shortstop Jose Iglesias (1) after he hits a pinch hit home run in the eighth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Detroit won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Scenario #3 Trade J.D. Martinez to St. Louis for pitchers Michael Wacha and Mike Mayers, pitching prospect Dakota Hudson and infield prospect Paul DeJong

The Cardinals got extremely homer-happy in 2016, finishing second behind the Orioles among Major League teams in home runs. With Brandon Moss and Matt Holiday’s contracts coming off the books, St. Louis will need another power bat able to play in the outfield corners.

In return for Martinez, the Tigers would get four players with exciting upside.

A former first-round pick, Wacha excelled in the Majors over his first three seasons, posting a 3.48 FIP and a WAR of six. The starter’s best campaign came in 2015 when he went 17-7 with a 3.38 ERA in 181.1 innings pitched. That performance helped him earn a place on the All-Star team.

However, things didn’t go as smoothly during the 2016 season. Wacha’s FIP only rose from 3.87 to 3.91 and he walked the same number of batters (2.9) per nine innings, but his ERA ballooned to 5.09 in 138 innings.

If he can find his pre-2016 form, the Tigers could come away with a steal. Wacha would serve as excellent insurance should Jordan Zimmermann or another veteran starter be dealt.

The only other player in the deal with Major League experience, Mayers allowed 16 runs, 16 hits, three home runs and three walks in just 5.1 frames of work with St. Louis last season.

However, the former third-round pick is only 24 and posted a 3.19 ERA in 144 minor league innings in 2016. He’d be a solid depth piece for Detroit.

The Two Prospects

Rounding out the hypothetical transaction are two high-upside prospects in Hudson and DeJong.

While not the biggest names in St. Louis’ system, both could achieve their potential in the Motor City.

A first-round pick in 2016, Hudson throws a blazing fastball and some nasty off-speed offerings. With more than one plus pitch in his arsenal, Hudson has a high ceiling. He could find success in either the rotation or the bullpen.

In DeJong, the Detroit Tigers receive a versatile defender who has the potential to be an above-average contributor at the dish in the Majors.

The 2016 campaign marked DeJong’s first full season at Double-A. While there he hit .260 with a .324 on-base percentage, 73 RBI, 62 runs scored, 29 doubles, 22 home runs, three stolen bases and two triples in just 132 games played.

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