Detroit Tigers: Ideal Trade Partners for J.D. Martinez

Team: Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies’ rebuilding efforts seem to be paying off. After trading away the likes of Cole Hamels, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Ken Giles, Carlos Ruiz and Johnathan Papelbon, the team is looking to contend again.

Philadelphia has acted somewhat like a contender this offseason.

The team added Howie Kendrick and Pat Neshek in a trade with the Dodgers and Phillies respectively. They also signed Joaquin Benoit to further bolster the club’s bullpen.

As of now, the team’s lack of true middle-of-the-order bat prevents them from being a legitimate contender. Maikel Franco, Tommy Joseph and Cameron Rupp have all displayed pop, but none are quite at the level J.D. Martinez is.

Detroit’s slugger would be a perfect fit in Philadelphia as the team’s starting right fielder. Last season, Peter Bourjos turned in a 79 wRC+ and a .389 slugging percentage. Martinez would provide the lineup anchor that Philadelphia has missed.

Potential Trade Fits for the Detroit Tigers

Cesar Hernandez

Controllable through 2020, Hernandez is the perfect fit for the Detroit Tigers. Defensively versatile and an on-base machine, the 26-year-old logged a 4.4 WAR while also leading the league with 11 triples.

All told, the four-year veteran contributed 67 runs scored, 39 RBI, 17 stolen bases, 14 doubles, 11 triples and six home runs. He batted .294 with a .371 on-base percentage.

Able to play second base, third base, shortstop and center field, the Phillies standout could fill a number of needs for Detroit.

The Tigers could use him to replace Jose Iglesias or Ian Kinsler should either be traded. Hernandez could also step in as a temporary solution in center field until JaCoby Jones is ready.

What’s more, Hernandez could serve as Kinsler’s long-term successor at second base.

Jake Thompson

A starting pitcher who was originally drafted by the Detroit Tigers back in 2012, Thompson reached the Major Leagues for the first time in 2016.

The former Erie SeaWolves standout showed his upside in Triple-A, where he compiled an 11-5 record and a 2.50 ERA, before struggling with the Phillies.

Despite pitching to a 5.70 ERA in 10 starts, the former top prospect is controllable and has the upside to pitch out of a rotation for years to come.

Nick Williams

A power-hitting center fielder with plus speed, Williams has all the makings of an impact player.

In 125 games for Philadelphia’s Triple-A affiliate, the former Texas farmhand collected 78 runs scored, 64 RBI, 33 doubles, 13 home runs, six triples and six stolen bases.

Alberto Tirado

Armed with an intriguing combination of a blazing fastball and a promising slider, Tirado was a strikeout machine last season.

The right-hander struck out 102 batters in just 64.2 innings pitched. While those innings came in the low minors, it is hard to ignore Tirado’s ability to miss bats.

Sixto Sanchez

Another intriguing arm in the low minors, Sanchez posted a sparkling 0.50 ERA in 54 innings of work in the Gulf Coast League last year.

In addition to the stellar ERA numbers, Sanchez features a blistering fastball. He likely wouldn’t be the centerpiece of any potential Martinez deal, but he certainly has upside.