Detroit Tigers: Three Ideal, Hypothetical J.D. Martinez Trades

Detroit Tigers Acquire: Ryan Tepera, Justin Smoak, Harold Ramirez, Rowdy Tellez, Jon Harris and Roemon Fields
Toronto Blue Jays Acquire: J.D. Martinez and Victor Martinez

Speaking of Jose Bautista, the Toronto Blue Jays may have to find a replacement for the team’s longtime slugger. The same can potentially be said of Edwin Encarnacion, who is also a free agent.

The Jays previously added Kendrys Morales, but the need for another bat remains.

With Michael Saunders also entering the free agent market, a corner outfielder with power is a definite need for Toronto. As it stands, Melvin Upton Jr. and Ezequiel Carrera are slated to flank Kevin Pillar in the outfield.

In other words, J.D. Martinez is a perfect fit.

Breaking Down the Trade

In addition to J.D. Martinez, the Blue Jays would also acquire Victor Martinez in this hypothetical deal.

Toronto can shift Morales to first base, install Victor Martinez at designated hitter and put the younger Martinez in right field.

All told, it would give the Jays two like-for-like replacements for Bautista and Encarnacion in Detroit’s two sluggers.

Detroit’s Side of the Deal

The Tigers would acquire just two Major League pieces in return, but the prospects could make a serious impact down the road.

Leading the way in terms of Major League players is Tepera, who notched a 13.8 swinging strike percentage in 18.1 innings for the Jays last season.

The reliever also posted a 3.69 FIP in the Majors and a 3.04 FIP in the minors last season. Based on those numbers alone, he could immediately step in to Detroit’s bullpen.

Additionally, the Tigers would also bring back Smoak in the deal. The first baseman would be blocked in Toronto, and could be a bench cog in Detroit.

Per Spotrac, the ex-Mariner is owed $4.125 million each of the next two seasons with a $6 million club option for 2019. Avila could find it much easier to deal Smoak if he isn’t a fit behind Miguel Cabrera.

The Prospects

The real upside in the deal comes in relief, where Detroit picks up four players with the potential to make an impact over the long haul.

Ramirez possess the most upside of the group, and could reach the Majors in the next few seasons.

A former top-100 prospect back when he was in the Pirates organization, the 22-year-old shows promising upside at the plate. Since beginning his professional career in 2012, the outfielder is a .306 hitter with a .364 on-base percentage.

What’s more, his lack of strikeouts (just 66 in 99 games last year) should also help him reach the Majors.

Tellez

Like Ramirez, Tellez could reach the Major Leagues in the upcoming seasons.

The 21-year-old first baseman is coming off a 2016 campaign that saw him tear the cover off the ball.

In just 124 games four Double-A New Hampshire, the former 30^th-round pick mashed 29 doubles and 23 home runs while plating 81 runs. He also added two triples while adding a .297 batting average and a .387 on-base percentage. His slugging percentage finished at a robust .530.

Tellez could be a long-term solution at either first base or designated hitter for the Tigers given his power.

Harris

A first-round pick of the Jays in 2015, Harris may not have the upside of former Jays and current Tigers Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd, but he has a chance to be a Major League starter down the road.

After going 0-5 with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.917 WHIP in 2015, the starter turned in an excellent 2016 campaign for low-minors teams in Lansing and Dunedin.

Over 24 starts spanning 129.2 innings pitched, the 23-year-old notched a 2.71 ERA. He won’t strike out too many batters (7.1 career punch outs per nine frames), but he won’t walk many either.

Last season, the starter walked just 38 totals batters, and has allowed just 59 free passes as a professional.

Fields

Not the most conventional prospect, the 26-year-old Fields still possess intriguing upside. A speed merchant who can wreak havoc on opposing pitchers and catchers, the outfielder stole 44 bases in 130 games four Double-A New Hampshire.

At worst, the Seattle native could make an impact and win games as a pinch-running threat for the Detroit Tigers.