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Detroit Tigers: Identifying Three Ideal Trade Partners

By Ben Rosener

Aug 8, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers executive vice president and general manager Al Avila before the game against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 8, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers executive vice president and general manager Al Avila before the game against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 10, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants second baseman Joe Panik (12) forces out Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (40) for the first out of a double play to end the thirteenth inning during game three of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at AT&T Park. The San Francisco Giants won 6-5 in thirteen innings. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants second baseman Joe Panik (12) forces out Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (40) for the first out of a double play to end the thirteenth inning during game three of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at AT&T Park. The San Francisco Giants won 6-5 in thirteen innings. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Trade Partner #2 San Francisco Giants
Potential Positions of Need: Closer, Outfield

Like their National League West rivals, the San Francisco Giants could be a fit for a few current Tigers.

With Sergio Romo, Santiago Casilla and Javier Lopez all becoming free agents, the Giants suddenly have a need at closer. Rodriguez would make sense in a potential move given San Francisco’s win-now strategy.

Elsewhere, Angel Pagan and Gregor Blanco are also free agents, leaving a vacant outfield spot opposite Hunter Pence and Denard Span. J.D. Martinez is once again a fit.

Notable Giants Players and Prospects Who Could Appeal to the Detroit Tigers

Joe Panik, Second Baseman

  • Baseball’s most difficult batter to strike out last season, Panik owns a career .280 batting average and .343 on-base percentage despite putting up a .239 average and a .315 on-base percentage in 2016. The 26-year-old is controllable through 2021 and is an ideal long-term replacement for Kinsler.

Ray Black, Reliever

  • A former seventh-round pick currently at Double-A, Black has the upside to be an excellent. With a blazing fastball that hits triple digits, the reliever also mixes in a solid slider. He struck out 53 batters in just 31.1 innings while also holding opposing hitters to a .159 batting average.

Chris Shaw, First Baseman

  • Another prospect at Double-A, Shaw collected 85 RBI, 73 runs scored, 38 doubles, 21 home runs and four triples in just 132 minor league games last season. He just reached Double-A last year, so he’s a few years away from making a Major League impact. However, Shaw’s power makes him an ideal long-term replacement for Miguel Cabrera.

Chris Heston, Starting Pitcher

  • Heston logged 177.2 innings in 2015, posting a 3.95 ERA and a 1.4 WAR. While he only appeared in four games in 2016, the pitcher is controllable through 2020 and could function in Detroit as a swingman or a starter at the back end of the rotation.
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