Detroit Tigers: Three Potential Francisco Rodriguez Trades

Trade Partner: Washington Nationals

Potential Deal: Detroit Tigers Trade Francisco Rodriguez to the Nationals for reliever Trevor Gott and outfielder Brian Goodwin

In a pair of moves designed to improve the back end of the team’s bullpen, Washington flipped late-inning arm Felipe Rivero and prospect Taylor Hearn to the Pirates for closer Mark Melancon. Just a few weeks later, the Nationals released former closer Jonathan Papelbon.

While the moves did improve the team’s bullpen, it sets up a potential scenario where Dusty Baker’s team could lose Melancon to free agency after already having lost Rivero and Papelbon.

Baker has plenty of setup relievers at his disposal in Blake Treinen, Shawn Kelley, Oliver Perez and Sammy Solis, but he needs a closer.

The Trade

Sending Rodriguez to Washington for Gott and Goodwin could be an extremely positive move for the Tigers.

A former Angels reliever, Gott pitched to a 3.02 ERA and a 3.74 FIP in 47.2 innings for the Halos in 2015. He only appeared in nine games for the Nationals last year, allowing just six hits and one run while striking out six. At just 24-years-old, he could immediately slot in as a late-inning option for Detroit.

The other player in the deal, Brian Goodwin, made his Major League debut this season. The outfielder and former first-round pick in 2013 hit .286 in a brief, 22-game stint in Washington.

Goodwin also posted a .318 on-base percentage while appearing at all three outfield spots on defense. He contributed five RBI, four doubles, a round scored and a triple.

The former top-100 prospect fared much better at the Triple-A level, where he batted .280 with a .349 on-bae percentage. Goodwin also chipped in with 68 RBI, 51 runs scored, 25 doubles, 15 stolen bases, 14 home runs and a triple.

With Bryce Harper, Ben Revere, Jayson Werth, Chris Heisey, Clint Robinson and Michael Taylor all ahead of Goodwin on the organizational depth chart, the Nationals certainly have the depth to make the deal.

Both Gott and Robinson are controllable through at least 2021.

Trade Partner: New York Yankees

Potential Deal: Detroit Tigers trade Francisco Rodriguez and a PTBNL to the Yankees for reliever Chasen Shreve and minor league players Dietrich Enns and Kyle Higashioka.

The Yankees decided to move on from the three-headed bullpen monster consisting of Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances.

While Betances remains, both Chapman and Miller were dealt at the trade deadline. With the duo’s salary coming off the books—not to mention Mark Teixeira’s contract—the Yankees suddenly have some financial flexibility.

They could splash some of that newfound cash on Rodriguez to fill the team’s closer role. Betances was a natural candidate to close games after Chapman and Miller were dealt. However, the 28-year-old struggled mightily, allowing 11 earned runs in just 18.1 innings pitched.

If New York wants to transition Betances back into being a setup man a position where he thrived (2.05 FIP, 13.8 strikeouts per nine frames) from 2014 to 2015, Rodriguez is an option at closer.

The Trade

In the potential deal, the Tigers would get three pieces who could step in and contribute right away next season.

Shreve is buried in New York’s bullpen pecking order behind the likes of Betances, Tyler Clippard, Tommy Layne and Nick Goody. What’s more, starters like Luis Cessa and Luis Severino could transition into relief roles.

Nonetheless, Shreve turned in a 14.2 swinging strike percentage and a 3.81 SIERA. Controllable through 2020, he’d give Brad Ausmus another late-inning option.

Enns and Higashioka are more depth options, but they be part of Detroit’s roster next year.

A 25-year-old pitcher who reached Triple-A for the first time last season, Enns thrived. The left-hander notched a 14-4 record and a 1.73 ERA.

He didn’t strikeout too many batters (8.3 per nine innings), but he could be on the outside looking in if the Yankees turn to free agency to fill out parts of their rotation.

Rounding out the deal is Higashioka, who batted .276 with an .847 OPS, 81 RBI, 55 runs scored, 24 doubles and 21 home runs in only 102 games split between Double-A and Triple-A.

With Gary Sanchez, Austin Romine and Brian McCann all ahead of him on the organizational depth chart, Higashioka may not find much Major League playing time next year. The backstop could find more at-bats in Detroit James McCann’s primary deputy.

Trade Partner: Colorado Rockies

Potential Deal: Francisco Rodriguez and Mike Pelfrey to Colorado for reliever Carlos Estevez, catcher Tony Wolters and infielder Pat Valaika

As it stands, the Colorado Rockies are pretty much set at most positions. The only real area of need they have is in the pitching department.

The Rockies could use both reinforcements in both the bullpen and the rotation as the team’s pitching staff allowed the third-most runs and the third-highest batting average against in the league.

Better results from the pitching side could propel Colorado within striking distance of a playoff spot next season. The National League West club surprised many last season by staying on the fringes contention for stretches.

They ultimately finished 75-87 with a 42-39 record at home. With some prudent additions, the team could be a contender next season.

Enter Francisco Rodriguez and Mike Pelfrey

Last season’s significant offseason acquisition for Colorado, Jake McGee, pitched to a 5.29 FIP in 45.2 innings. With fellow relievers Jason Motte (5.68 FIP) coming off a down season, the team could use a veteran closer.

The need is even greater when considering that veteran reliever Boone Logan will hit free agency this winter. Rodriguez is a definite fit.

With Jorge De La Rosa also scheduled to become a free agent, the Rockies could also use another starting pitcher. Mike Pelfrey is actually be a fit considering his ability to keep the ball in the yard and on the ground.

Pelfrey’s 1.13 home runs allowed per nine innings came in better than the numbers posted in the category by Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Zack Greinke and Carlos Carrasco. Additionally, the former Met finished 17^th in Major League Baseball in ground ball percentage among starters with at least 100 innings pitched.

Based on those numbers, he could actually find success in the launching pad that is Coors Field.

The Trade

Not only would Detroit trim $15 million off their salary for next season, the team would net a trio of Major League pieces.

Estevez

Most prominent among the trio in terms of upside and ability is Estevez. A hard-throwing reliever who just wrapped up his first Major League season, Estevez pitched to a 5.24 ERA in 55 innings.

While that number isn’t much to write home about, a closer look at the reliever’s other stats reveal he was much better than his ERA would indicate.

Estevez’ other run-prevention stats (4.22 FIP and a 4.02 SIERA) look much more favorable. However, what is most intriguing about the pitcher is his ability to miss bats. The 23-year-old struck out 9.7 batters per nine innings last season, including an 11.3 swinging strike percentage.

Wolters

Also included in the hypothetical trade would be utility player Tony Wolters.

The former Cleveland farmhand sees most of his time behind the plate, but the backstop can also operate at either middle infield position. With top prospect Tom Murphy now on Colorado’s active roster, Wolters may not be a long-term fit with the club.

The 24-year-old hit .259 with a .327 on-base percentage in 71 games for the Rockies last season. He also added 30 RBI, 27 runs scored, 15 stolen bases, four stolen bases, three home runs, a pair of triples and a 1.0 WAR.

Valaika

Rounding out the deal is another utility option in Pat Valaika.

Like Wolters the infielder is 24 and made his Major League debut last season. Valaika contributed three runs scored, two RBI and a home run in his brief, 13-game stint with the Rockies. However, the former ninth-round pick flashed his potential in the minors.

Over 136 games split between Double-A and Triple-A, Valaika hit .257 while mashing 41 doubles, 14 home runs and four triples. He also added 80 RBI, 74 runs scored and 10 stolen bases.

Capable of playing second base, third base and shortstop, Valaika’s ability to rack up extra bases would bring an intriguing element to Detroit’s bench.

Given that all three players just made their debuts this season, they’d be controllable for the foreseeable future.

Other Potential Trade Partners

With so many closers on the market, there are bound to be teams who strike out on the top tier of free agents who still need someone to pitch the ninth. Here are some of those teams.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers have plenty of effective late inning arms, with the likes of Joe Blanton, Pedro Baez, Luis Avilan, Josh Fields and Grant Dayton all serving as worthy setup options to Kenley Jansen. However, if Jansen departs via free agency, the team will need a new closer.

San Francisco Giants

While the Dodgers could potentially lose Kenley Jansen to free agency, their division rivals face the possibility of seeing Sergio Romo, Santiago Casilla and Javier Lopez depart. They’ll need replacements if they want to contend for a World Series next season.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Angels bullpen isn’t exactly the best. The team finished 28^th in saves and WAR, they could clearly use the help.

While Cam Bedrosian, Jose Alvarez, Deolis Guerra and J.C. Ramirez all turned in encouraging seasons, the team needs a closer. Huston Street’s FIP ballooned to 6.42 last season, and a reunion with Rodriguez would certainly make sense.

Anaheim doesn’t have much in the way of prospects, but they certainly have a need.

St. Louis Cardinals

This is probably the most unlikely option of the bunch. Whether St. Louis needs a new closer is dependent on whether Seung-hwan Oh hits free agency or stays with the team. The Cardinals do have Trevor Rosenthal and Jonathan Broxton as options, but they might seek an upgrade if Oh leaves.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Like the Angels, the Diamondbacks didn’t have the best campaign last season. Arizona’s relief pitchers ranked 26^th in WAR, 27^th in ERA and saves and 28^th in FIP.

Next: Pros, Cons of Dealing Francisco Rodriguez

Rodriguez would bring a calming presence to a group that lost Brad Ziegler and Tyler Clippard to mid-season trades and is about to potentially lose Daniel Hudson to free agency.