Detroit Tigers: Three Ideal Center Field Trades

Detroit Tigers Acquire: Keon Broxton and Scooter Gennett
Milwaukee Brewers Acquire: Kyle Ryan, Mark Lowe, John Hicks and Dominic Ficociello

There’s a lot to unpack here with this hypothetical trade, so let’s start with Detroit’s return.

Despite appearing in only 75 games, Broxton racked up a 2.1 WAR while excelling on the base paths and in the field.

One of Milwaukee’s many base=stealing threats, the center fielder contributed 23 stolen bases and a 3.5 BsR. What’s more, he thrived defensively.

Playing in center field, the 26-year-old turned in a 5.4 UZR, a 23.2 UZR/150 and a DRS of nine.

Generally, a player who does all this—not to mention a .188 ISO and 20 extra-base hits—wouldn’t be dealt.

However, despite Broxton being controllable through 2021, the Brewers will need to make room for elite prospect Lewis Brinson in center field. A potential 30-30 threat, the former Texas farmhand hit a blistering .382 in Triple-A last season and could debut for Milwaukee in 2017.

Gennett

In addition to Broxton, the Detroit Tigers would also acquire Scooter Gennett.

A second baseman by trade, Gennett collected 56 RBI, 58 runs scored and 14 home runs in 136 games last season.

Set to make $2.525 million next season, the infielder’s salary helps offset Lowe’s contract in the deal.

While Gennett was productive last year, Milwaukee’s additions of Travis Shaw and Eric Thames will likely push Johnathan Villar into starting at second base.

While fellow infielder Hernan Perez can see time in the outfield, Gennett has played all put one inning of his career in the Majors at second base. He’d represent a solid bench bat and an insurance policy should Ian Kinsler be dealt.

Why the Trade Works for Milwaukee

With a crowded infield and a rotation that isn’t lacking in options, the Brewers’ most significant area of need is in the bullpen.

Carlos Torres, Jhan Marinez and Corey Knebel all return, but the team will need to replace the departed Tyler Thornburg and Blaine Boyer.

Ryan is an obvious candidate to step in and provide quality innings, while Lowe has bounce-back potential.

Similar to the Padres and Anibal Sanchez, the Brewers could deal Lowe a the trade deadline for future pieces.

Also going to Milwaukee is Hicks. As it stands, he is James McCann’s only backup in the Motor City. However, should the Tigers sign a free agent catcher, Hicks may be stuck in Triple-A Toledo.

With prospect Grayson Greiner making his Mud Hens debut late last season, Hicks could be expendable if another veteran backup is added.

As of now, Milwaukee will use some combination of Manny Pina, Andrew Susac and Jeff Bandy next season. There isn’t a clear-cut starter in the mix, and Hicks would give the team another young option.

Rounding out the deal is Dominic Ficociello.

While the prospect isn’t going to be a base stealing machine like many of the Brewers position players, the 24-year-old can play across the diamond. Ficociello has experience at first base, second base, third base and in left field.

Milwaukee clearly values defensive flexibility as Shaw, Villar and Perez can all play multiple positions.

Ficociello would be an excellent fit in that regard.