Detroit Tigers: Four Potential Trades Involving Sanchez, Lowe and Pelfrey

Trade #1 Tigers and Angels Swap Sizeable Pitching Contracts

Trade Partner: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Potential Trade: Detroit Tigers Trade Mike Pelfrey and Mark Lowe for Huston Street and Cliff Pennington
Incoming Salary: $11.25 million
Outgoing Salary: $13.5 million

As it stands, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are in desperate need of starting pitching. Through free agency and injuries, the team is now left with just Tyler Skaggs, Ricky Nolasco and Alex Meyer in the rotation.

A larger trade involving Sanchez and Nolasco would have worked from a salary perspective. However, the Halos may be reluctant to move the former Twin after he logged a 3.87 FIP in 73 innings for Anaheim last season.

Instead, the Angels are able to move on from Street while picking up a starter.

From Anaheim’s perspective, the team could turn the closing duties over to a younger reliever like Cam Bedrosian (11.38 K/9), Deolis Guerra (3.77 FIP) or former Tiger Jose Alvarez (0.7 WAR, 3.73 SIERA). What’s more, Lowe could turn things around in the bullpen.

Huston Street

In return, the Detroit Tigers would receive a bounce-back candidate over their own in Huston Street.

A two-time All-Star, Street has amassed 324 saves since entering the big leagues in 2005 with Oakland.

The former Rookie of the Year logged 40 saves and a 3.18 ERA as recently as 2015, but saw his run-prevention stats sky rocket last season.

The 33-year-old only threw 22.1 innings, but was teed off on by opposing batters, posting a 6.42 FIP and a 5.97 xFIP. Street was hurt by a .351 BABIP last season. He could bounce back in new surroundings.

Even in the event that the former A’s closer implodes again next season, it will only be one pitcher Detroit will have to work around as opposed to a pair of hurlers in Pelfrey and Lowe.

According to Baseball Prospectus, Street will be owed $9 million next season. He has a $10 million club option for 2018 that can be bought out for $1 million.

Pennington

In addition to Street, the Tigers would absorb Pennington’s salary to make the money somewhat even. Despite a -0.2 WAR, a .265 on-base percentage and a $2.25 million salary, Detroit may find it easier to move Pennington without taking any salary back.

Worst case scenario, he becomes a bench contributor similar to Andrew Romine in the sense that he can play multiple positions.