Detroit Tigers: Three Potential Francisco Rodriguez Trades

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Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez (57) throws against the Cleveland Indians in the eighth inning at Progressive Field. The Tigers won 9-5. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

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