Detroit Tigers: Laying out an ideal trade season

Trade J.D. Martinez for a king’s ransom and stay in contention, making the playoffs in the process

Last season, the New York Yankees traded away veterans Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller, Carlos Beltran and Ivan Nova.

All but Miller were scheduled to hit free agency, and the Yankees ended up staying in contention despite losing some veteran performers.

Similar to New York, the Tigers could benefit from dealing some impending free agents.

Dealing Rodriguez and Sanchez would certainly help the team’s financial outlook, but both have struggled mightily this season.

Elsewhere, Alex Avila is on too much of a tear at the plate to even consider moving him.

That leaves J.D. Martinez.

Hypothetically trading J.D. Martinez

The slugging outfielder has been excellent for the Detroit Tigers this season.

Martinez owns a 0.9 WAR, a .1.267 OPS, a .489 ISO, a 226 wRC+, a .499 wOBA and seven home runs in just 15 games played.

However, the 29-year-old will hit free agency after the season.

With Detroit seeking to lower the payroll over the long haul, it would make sense to move Martinez considering re-signing Martinez him would entail a significant financial commitment.

Because of his stellar play and strong track record (.909 OPS, 90 home runs in 428 games) with the Tigers, the team could receive a king’s ransom in return for the outfielder.

Back in 2015, Detroit was able to net Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris, Matt Boyd and JaCoby Jones in trades for Yoenis Cespedes, David Price and Joakim Soria.

Considering the prospects that changed hands at last season’s deadline, the Tigers should be able to get multiple franchise building blocks for Martinez.

Last year, position players like Jonathan Lucroy, Carlos Beltran, Josh Reddick and Jay Bruce were dealt.

Martinez is more of an offensive threat than the quartet and arguably more of an impact acquisition than the four aforementioned players.

In this scenario, Detroit would receive a haul of prospects to help keep the team competitive long term.

Potentially replacing J.D.

To continue the hypothetical discussion, the Tigers would able to audition top prospects like Christin Stewart and Mike Gerber for potentially larger roles in 2018.

Both Stewart (.981 OPS and 13 home runs in 45 games) and Gerber (.869 OPS, 20 extra-base hits) are off to strong starts with Double-A Erie, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see either in the Majors in the near future.

Detroit can also utilize Jim Adduci, Mikie Mahtook and Alex Presley to help provide cover for the young duo should they struggle early.

Deal away non-essential veterans

These include Jose Iglesias and Francisco Rodriguez. The Detroit Tigers need to save money and both Iglesias and Rodriguez are replaceable.

At shortstop, Detroit can turn to Dixon Machado, who is every bit as dependable of a fielder as Iglesias is.

Elsewhere, the Tigers bullpen is thriving without Francisco Rodriguez.

With Justin Wilson closing and Shane Greene and Alex Wilson serving as setup options, Detroit doesn’t need Rodriguez to pitch late in games.

Dealing him to save money certainly makes sense as the likes of Blaine Hardy, Bruce Rondon, Joe Jimenez, Chad Bell, Arcenio Leon and Daniel Stumpf provide manager Brad Ausmus with more options.

The Tigers will also need to eventually make room for promising relief prospects Victor Alcantara and Jairo Labourt.

Both pitchers, who can light up the radar gun, should be in the Majors by 2018 if they continue producing in the minors.

Alcantara has pitched to a 2.08 ERA in Triple-A Toledo, with five strikeouts in 4.1 innings.

He recently made the jump to Toledo after posting a sparkling 1.96 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 23 frames for Double-A Erie.

Labourt recently was promoted himself, going from Advanced-A Lakeland to Double-A Erie.

The left-hander pitched to a 0.66 ERA with the Flying Tigers. He’s struck out 16 compared to just two walks in 11 innings for Erie so far. His ERA currently sits at 3.27 in Double-A.

Don’t deal Justin Wilson

Hypothetically, the Tigers could probably receive a significant haul for Justin Wilson. However, the team has struggled for years to find a consistent closer.

According to Spotrac, Wilson is only controlled through 2018. While it would be ideal to have him longer, the Detroit Tigers should hang on to the reliever for the time being.

That way he gives the team a steady presence in the ninth, while letting Joe Jimenez and Bruce Rondon come along slowly.

Ideally, either Jimenez or Rondon would be ready to close in 2019.

Keep the franchise icons

As of now, neither Justin Verlander nor Miguel Cabrera has performed up to their usual standards. With that being said, neither is exactly at an all-time high in terms of value.

What’s more, if the Tigers want to stay in contention and avoid a tear-down, trading either future Hall of Famer would make it hard to sell to the fans.

Verlander owns a 0.5 WAR to go along with a 4.87 ERA, a 4.55 FIP, a 5.15 xFIP and a 4.71 SIERA.

He’s struck out 8.56 batters per nine innings to go along with 4.28 walks and 1.33 home runs surrendered per nine frames.

Next: Trading Iggy makes sense

Meanwhile, Cabrera is hitting a very un-Miggy .256 with a .357 on-bae percentage, a .414 slugging percentage and a 106 wRC+.