Detroit Tigers: Trading J.D. Martinez May Be Best Move for Present, Future

Salary Implications

The Detroit Tigers need to cut payroll ahead of the 2017 season. According to Spotrac, J.D. Martinez will see his salary increase from $6.75 million to $11.75 million for the 2017 season.

Most will likely view that as a bargain—which it is—making it easier for the Tigers to facilitate a trade. Martinez’ salary also makes it easier to include one of the team’s more unmovable salaries (Sanchez, Pelfrey or Lowe) in a potential trade.

Trading Martinez will do wonders for Detroit’s long-term salary.

For one, the outfielder will command a hefty contract when he hits free agency after 2017. Moving Martinez ensures Detroit won’t have to burden the team with another expensive deal.

Second, if the former Astro is dealt, the long-term salary commitment looks much better. Following 2017, Lowe and Pelfrey’s contracts expire, while Detroit can buy out Sanchez.

If Maybin and Rodriguez stayin 2016, their deals will come off the books after 2017 as well.

This is all without mentioning Upton, who can opt out of his contract after the 2017 World Series comes to a close.

All of a sudden, the Tigers are only left with Cabrera, Verlander, Zimmermann and Kinsler on significant deals.

Young core members like Jose Iglesias, Nick Castellanos, Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris and Bruce Rondon will all still be under team control through arbitration at that point.

Sky-High Trade Value

Middle of the order bats with legitimate 40 home run, 100 RBI potential aren’t easy to find. Because of this, the Detroit Tigers could receive a premium return for Martinez.

In terms of potential suitors, there are a number of fits.

Right off the bat, the Los Angeles Dodgers stand out as a fit.

The Dodgers could lose one of the anchors of the team’s lineup, Justin Turner, to free agency. What’s more, Josh Reddick could also hit the open market.

That leaves some combination of Howie Kendrick, Andrew Toles, Yasiel Puig, Trayce Thompson and Andre Ethier in the outfield corners

For a team that has World Series aspirations, the Dodgers need the upgrade.

Dodgers Stand Out as Potential Trade Partner

Los Angeles also has the young players Detroit will likely seek. Outfielder Trayce Thompson, who posted a higher ISO than Corey Seager, Reddick and Adrian Gonzalez and is controllable through 2021, is a fit.

Other Dodgers who would help the Tigers in both the short and long term include starter Alex Wood (3.47 xFIP in 499.1 Major League frames), reliever Pedro Baez (14.5 swinging strike percentage in 2016, 2.94 career SIERA) and Toles, another outfielder. The rookie posted a .365 wOBA and a 132 wRC+ in 48 games last year.

Wood is the only one of the four aforementioned player not controllable past 2020. The former Atlanta starter is under team control through the 2019 campaign.

Other Potential Suitors

The New York Mets are another fit, especially if one or both of Yoenis Cespedes and Jay Bruce depart.

New York’s fellow National League East tenants in Philadelphia are in need of a veteran bat and match up as a trade partner.

Infielder Cesar Hernandez (3.3 WAR, .371 on-base percentage last year) who is just 26, and former top-100 prospect Nick Williams are two names to watch in regard to the Phillies.

St. Louis and Houston are two other clubs with outfield needs that fit the bill in terms of having young talent to offer.

Detroit could look for some combination of Kevin Siegrist, Kolten Wong and Michael Wacha from the Cardinals.

Next: How Tigers Prospects Are Faring in Arizona Fall League

Meanwhile, Houston’s Alex Bregman, James Hoyt and Jake Marisnick would be fits in the Motor City.