Detroit Tigers: Three Trades That Can Help Club Make 2017 World Series

Trade #2 Deal Victor Martinez to Boston for Robbie Ross, Marco Hernandez and pitching prospect Jake Cosart

The Boston Red Sox are in need of a designated hitter to replace David Ortiz. As it would happen, Victor Martinez is the perfect replacement.

Detroit’s designated hitter is plenty familiar with Boston previously spent the second half of the 2009 season and the 2010 campaign with the club.

While Martinez rebounded nicely from a struggling 2015 campaign, he also showed that he isn’t the same hitter who previously garnered MVP votes.

Despite hitting .289 with a .351 on-base percentage, Martinez turned in a 0.9 WAR and a career-high 90 strike outs. Additionally, the veteran’s total of 50 walks was one of the lower stats of his career in the category.

Victor Martinez also continued to hurt the Tigers on the base paths, with a career-worst -11.4 BsR that was significantly worse than his 2015 output of -7.2.

What’s more, Boston may be one of the few teams able to take on most or all of Martinez’ contract.

Ross, Hernandez and Cosart

In return for Martinez, Detroit would receive three intriguing young pieces in Ross, Hernandez and Cosart.

Ross tossed 55.1 innings out of Boston’s bullpen last season, compiling a 3.67 SIERA and a 3.27 FIP while logging a 10.7 swinging strike percentage. Controllable through 2018, the 27-year-old would give Brad Ausmus another set up option.

Hernandez, the other player in the trade with Major League experience, made his Major League debut last season. A former Cubs farmhand, the 25-year-old infielder hit .294 with a .357 on-base percentage in 40 games.

Over those 40 games, the rookie saw time at second base, third base and shortstop. He could make an impact off the bench for Detroit.

Rounding out the deal for the Detroit Tigers is Cosart. While still in the low minors, the 22-year-old reliever has intriguing upside and is well worth taking a flier on. Cosart held batters to a .172 batting average while striking out 104 in just 70.2 innings pitched. He has the look of a future rotation piece down the road.

Detroit’s Offensive Outlook Following the Deal

While the trade would take away Miguel Cabrera’s top protector in the lineup, Justin Upton and the still-developing Nick Castellanos will still be around to provide plenty of pop.

Dealing Victor Martinez also allows Bregman, acquired in the previously-proposed Houston deal, to play every day.

What position the infielder would play remains to be seen, but the rookie has experience at third base, second base and shortstop.

Detroit could rotate Castellanos, Kinsler and Iglesias at designated hitter to keep the infield fresh while Bregman fills in in the field. Miguel Cabrera could also benefit from a few extra games at designated hitter.

This would allow the Tigers to run more and avoid rally-killing double plays that Detroit’s designated hitter would (19 GDP last year) often hit into.

Adding Hernandez (1.2 BsR) and Bregman (0.6 BsR) to the mix while subtracting Martinez (-11.7 BsR) would also do wonders for the Tigers on the base paths.