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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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Jul 27, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (2) bats during a game against the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 27, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (2) bats during a game against the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Trade Partner #3 Houston Astros
Potential Positions of Need: Center Field, Left Field

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but another team is a potential trade fit for J.D. Martinez. That team would be the Houston Astros, who (incidentally) used to employ the outfielder before he moved to Detroit.

The Astros would’ve been a fit for Cameron Maybin as well, prior to the veteran’s trade to Anaheim, as there are few proven commodities outside of George Springer in Houston’s outfield mix.

While Houston’s depth doesn’t make them a trade fit for the likes of Kinsler, Rodriguez or any of Detroit’s other trade chips, that same depth could benefit the Tigers.

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

Alex Bregman, Infielder

  • The second-overall pick in the 2015 draft, Bregman is currently blocked in the infield by the likes of Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Yulieski Gurriel, A.J. Reed, Marwin Gonzalez and Tyler White. Detroit’s infield is similarly crowded, but Bregman could play a Ben Zobrist-type role before taking over as Ian Kinsler’s long term successor at second. In just 49 games last year, the rookie turned in a 1.0 WAR, a .214 ISO and a 112 wRC+.

Lance McCullers, Starting Pitcher

  • Adding McCullers to the mix along with Verlander, Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd would give the Detroit Tigers one of the league’s best rotations for the next decade. In two seasons in the Majors, the 22-year-old has accumulated a 4.8 WAR and a 3.60 SIERA. He turned in a swinging strike percentage of 13 last season.

Tyler White, Corner Infielder

  • A potentially useful contributing piece, White wouldn’t be the centerpiece of any deal, but he could still provide value as a long-term bench cog. Able to play first and third base, White put up a .161 ISO in 2016.

Next: 5 Free Agent SP Tigers Should Sign

Michael Feliz, Relief Pitcher

  • A 23-year-old reliever with strikeout stuff, Feliz is controllable through 2021. The kind of reliever that fits into any bullpen, Feliz struck out 13.15 batters per nine frames while also racking up a 13.6 swinging strike percentage. He’d be a long-term closing option for the Tigers.
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