Detroit Tigers: Three Potential Jose Iglesias Trades

Detroit Tigers Acquire: Travis Jankowski, Kevin Quackenbush and Logan Allen
San Diego Padres Acquire: Jose Iglesias, Anibal Sanchez and Buck Farmer

As it stands, the San Diego Padres are currently in need of rotation help and a shortstop.

Fortunately (at least in this hypothetical trade scenario), the Tigers have the pieces to help.

The National League West club is counting down the days until top prospect Javier Guerra is ready for the big leagues. However, the 21-year-old only hit .202 in the low minors and may need more years of development.

Adding Iglesias gives San Diego a young, impact shortstop to bridge the gap until Guerra reaches the Majors.

What’s more, San Diego’s rotation has been decimated by injuries and free agency, leaving Christian Friedrich and Jarred Cosart to head up an unproven group.

There’s bounce-back potential in Sanchez, who often thrived in starts for Detroit before being lit up in the following appearance. The former Marlin could rebound in San Diego’s spacious ballpark.

Additionally, Buck Farmer would give the Padres another rotation option as Robbie Erlin, Erik Johnson, Tyson Ross and Colin Rea all remain on the shelf.

Detroit’s Side of the Deal

In return, the Tigers would receive three potentially useful pieces.

Leading the way is Quackenbush, who owns a 3.50 ERA in 172.1 innings coming out of San Diego’s bullpen.

While the reliever—who logged a 3.92 ERA last season—wasn’t nearly as effective as Brad Hand or Ryan Butcher, he could pitch in a role similar to Alex Wilson in Detroit.

Jankowski

The only position player heading to the Motor City in the trade, Jankowski helps the Tigers in a number of different ways.

Detroit’s overall defense could use some help, as could the team’s output on the base paths. With Cameron Maybin in Anaheim, there’s also a need for a center fielder.

As it happens, Jankowski is a quality defender (12.9 UZR, 8 DRS in 2016), is an excellent base runner (30 steals and a 3.1 BsR last season) and plays center field.

With Manuel Margot coming through the ranks, San Diego will need to make room in center field. There may not be room for Jankowski with Hunter Renfroe and Alex Dickerson looking like long-term fits in the outfield corners.

In Detroit, the former first-round pick would allow JaCoby Jones to develop in the minors while also helping bridge the gap to the future of the position, Derek Hill.

Allen

While Quackenbush and Jankowski would be able to contribute right away, pitching prospect Logan Allen is a few years away. The left-hander doesn’t blow anyone away with his fastball, but he mixes in three different off-speed offerings to keep hitters off balance.

In 62.1 innings spanning three minor league stops, the former Boston farmhand logged a 3.47 ERA and 47 strikeouts. He held opposing hitters to a .242 batting average at the plate.

Allen could eventually factor into the rotation discussion before all is said and done.