Detroit Tigers: Six Players Who Could Improve Infield for Present, Future

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila is looking to make the team younger and more fiscally sustainable, while staying competitive. The Tigers could use help in the infield, where Detroit needs youth.

Detroit Tigers fans have long witnessed some stellar middle-infield play. Ian Kinsler is one of the game’s best all-around threats, while Jose Iglesias has developed into an elite defender at shortstop.

For a while, the Tigers had some intriguing infield depth behind the duo. Dixon Machado, whose glove has been Major League ready for years, has been gaining experience in the upper minors. What’s more, the likes of Devon Travis, Willy Adames, Javier Betancourt and Domingo Leyba gave the team options for the future.

However, a number of trades in recent seasons have sapped the system of said depth.

Machado is still around, but the rest of the aforementioned young infielders are not.

Travis was flipped to Toronto in the ill-fated Anthony Gose deal, while Adames was shipped to Tampa Bay as part of the David Price blockbuster. Betancourt and Leyba were also moved in trades for Francisco Rodriguez and Shane Greene respectively.

While Adames, Betancourt and Leyba have yet to reach the Major Leagues, the Tigers were still somewhat hurt by their lack of depth last season.

Detroit was forced to rely on Andrew Romine, Erick Aybar, Mike Aviles and Casey McGehee for significant stretches.

While Romine and Aybar had their moments, none of the quartet posted wRC+ numbers over 90, with Aybar leading the way at 88. In fact, Aviles and McGehee’s wRC+ numbers (41 and 33 respectively) were both nearly topped by a pair of pitchers in Daniel Norris (37 wRC+) and Jordan Zimmermann (30 wRC+).

With Aybar and McGehee scheduled to hit the free agency market, Romine and Dixon Machado are currently the team’s top utility options. JaCoby Jones could see time on the left side of the infield, but Detroit may need him in center field if Cameron Maybin departs.

Additionally, while Iglesias, Nick Castellanos and Miguel Cabrera are set as the team’s long-term starters shortstop, third base and first base, an eventual successor for Ian Kinsler is needed.

Here are six players Detroit could acquire via trade, in exchange for someone like J.D. Martinez or Francisco Rodriguez, who could improve the Detroit Tigers’ infield outlook in the present and future.

Cesar Hernandez

Age: 26
Positions: Second Base, Third Base, Shortstop and Center Field
2016 Team: Philadelphia Phillies
2016 WAR: 4.4
Controllable Through: 2020

Cesar Hernandez may be the perfect fit for the Detroit Tigers new position on team building. Detroit is looking for younger, controllable players to help build the team. Hernandez is an ideal addition, not just because he is both young and controllable, but because he can step in right away and keep the team competitive.

In 155 games for the Phillies, the 26-year-old led all Philadelphia positon players with an outstanding 4.4 WAR, while also showing excellent on-base skills. Hernandez registered a .294 batting average and a .371 on-bae percentage.

He also provided value in filling out the stat sheet, with 67 runs scored, 39 RBI, 17 stolen bases, 14 doubles, 11 triples and six home runs. The infielder also provided solid defense at both second base and third base.

He’d give Detroit a long-term replacement for Ian Kinsler, while also providing the team with a key bench cog. Hernandez could step in for Kinsler, Jose Iglesias and Nick Castellanos on a regular bases, allowing Brad Ausmus to keep his starters fresh for the entirety of the season.

The Phillies need a veteran bat capable of anchoring the team’s lineup, so a deal sending J.D. Martinez to Philadelphia for Hernandez and other young pieces works for both parties.

Wilmer Flores

Age: 25
Positions: Third Base, Shortstop, Second Base and First Base
2016 Team: New York Mets
2016 WAR: 0.5
Controllable Through: 2019

The New York Mets currently have a log jam around the infield. As of now, the team has Lucas Duda, Asdrubal Cabrera, Jose Reyes and T.J. Rivera penciled in as potential starters. There’s also utility options Matt Reynolds, Ty Kelly and Eric Campbell, as well as top prospect Gavin Cecchini.

This is all without mentioning the injured David Wright, as well as potential free agents Neil Walker and James Loney.

With all the depth, Wilmer Flores may conceivably be attainable in a potential trade.

This is good news for the Detroit Tigers, as Flores would be another ideal addition.

Able to play all four infield positons, Flores impressed in just 103 games for the Mets last season. The infielder collected 49 RBI, 16 home runs and 14 doubles. The 25-year-old, who is controllable through 2019, also turned in a .202 ISO.

By comparison, Ian Kinsler and Victor Martinez posted respective ISO numbers of .196 and .186 in 2016.

The Mets, like many teams, would be a potential trade fit for J.D. Martinez should one or both of Yoenis Cespedes and Jay Bruce move on.

Detroit has had previous success when trading for young Mets players in the past (see Fulmer, Michael), so perhaps a deal sending Martinez to New York for Flores and other young pieces could work.

Joe Panik

Age: 25
Position: Second Base
2016 Team: San Francisco Giants
2016 WAR: 2.1
Controllable Through: 2020

Like Hernandez, he’s probably only attainable in a larger trade. Sending J.D. Martinez to the Bay Area for a package headline by Panik would certainly make sense for both parties as Angel Pagan and Gregor Blanco will hit free agency.

Despite a down season, Panik turned in the fourth-highest WAR among San Francisco position players with a 2.1 number. He also led the Majors with the lowest (8.9) strikeout percentage.

The second baseman hit .239 with a .315 on-base percentage last year. He also chipped in with 62 RBI, 21 doubles, 10 home runs, seven triples and five stolen bases. Panik also registered a .300 wOBA and a wRC+ of 89.

However, he was much more productive from 2014 to 2015, hitting .309 while posting a .364 on-base percentage. His respective wOBA (.317 and .363) and wRC+ (106 and 136) were also much more encouraging over the two-year period.

The Detroit Tigers could acquire him as the centerpiece of a trade involving Martinez and Francisco Rodriguez. The Giants could use another outfield bat of Martinez’ quality.

What’s more, the likes Sergio Romo, Santiago Casilla and Javier Lopez are all slated to hit free agency at the conclusion of the World Series, making Rodriguez a perfect fit.

Three More Options

Derek Dietrich

Age: 27
Position: Second Base, Third Base, First Base and Left Field
2016 Team: Miami Marlins
2016 WAR: 2.0
Controllable Through: 2020

Able to play at second base, third base, first base and in left field, Dietrich turned in a quality 2016 campaign for the Marlins. The 27-year-old hit .279 with a stellar .374 on-base percentage. Additionally, he chipped in with 42 RBI, 39 runs scored, 20 doubles, seven home runs and five triples.

Despite the strong numbers, Dietrich is blocked in Miami by the likes of Dee Gordon, Martin Prado, Justin Bour and Marcell Ozuna.

While the Marlins don’t really have a need for any of Detroit’s best trade chips, but there’s no denying the potential fit with Dietrich.

Kolten Wong

Age: 26
Position: Second Base, Center Field, Left Field, Right Field
2016 Team: St. Louis Cardinals
2016 WAR: 2.0
Controllable Through: 2021

Another target in a potential J.D. Martinez deal, Wong is already locked into an extremely team-friendly contract. Despite a down year in 2016, there’s no denying the second baseman’s upside.

Wong averaged 52 RBI, 41 extra-base hits and 18 stolen bases from the 2014 to 2015. He’d be an ideal successor to Kinsler down the line.

Hernan Perez

Age: 25
Positions: Third Base, Second Base, Right Field, First Base, Shortstop and Center Field
2016 Team: Milwaukee Brewers
2016 WAR: 1.2
Controllable Through: 2020

A trade for Perez seems the least likely simply because Detroit may not want to give up future assets to a rebuilding Milwaukee team. However, the former Tiger would fill a number of needs for Brad Ausmus’ club.

Not only does Perez bring the speed element that the Detroit Tigers needs, but he’s also developed into a solid offensive player. The utility player hit .272 with a .302 on-base percentage while contributing 56 RBI, 50 runs scored, 34 stolen bases, 18 doubles, 13 home runs and three triples.

Able to play multiple positions, he would be the first player off the Tigers bench.