Detroit Tigers: Five hypothetical trade candidates

J.D. Martinez

Age: 29
Position: Right Field
2017 contract, per Spotrac: $11.75 million
2017 stat of note: .319 ISO

Even if the Detroit Tigers were in contention, the case could probably made for trading J.D. Martinez.

The 29-year-old will hit the free agent market following the conclusion of the World Series and is likely to snag a hefty contract on the open market.

For a Tigers team looking to get younger and less expensive, handing a 29-year-old slugger who is struggling defensively (-6 DRS, -11.2 UZR/150) and doesn’t run much (-1.5 BsR) a long-term deal doesn’t seem like the most prudent investment.

What does seem more prudent is flipping Martinez for a premium return now rather than lose him for nothing in the offseason.

The Tigers can then use Jim Adduci, Alex Presley, a waiver claim, a young player acquired in a trade, or a mixture of all four, to man the position until Christin Stewart is ready to take over full-time in 2018.

Ideally, the team will be able to net a premium prospect close to the Majors Leagues—plus more—in a J.D. Martinez trade.

This way, the team can add to a young core that includes Michael Fulmer, Stewart, Mikie Mahtook, Mike Gerber, Daniel Norris, Matt Boyd, Dixon Machado, Joe Jimenez and Bruce Rondon.

Combine that with a group of veterans like Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera, Ian Kinsler, Shane Greene and Jordan Zimmermann, and Detroit should have the pieces to stay competitive in 2018.