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Detroit Tigers: Five hypothetical trade candidates

By Ben Rosener

DETROIT, MI - JULY 4: Justin Wilson #38 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning at Comerica Park on July 4, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Wilson recorded his ninth save in the Tigers 5-3 win. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JULY 4: Justin Wilson #38 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning at Comerica Park on July 4, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Wilson recorded his ninth save in the Tigers 5-3 win. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – JUNE 06: Alex Avila #31 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates his solo home run in the sixth inning with teammates in the dugout during a MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels at Comerica Park on June 6, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Angels defeated the Tigers 5-3. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /

Alex Avila

Age: 30
Position: Catcher
2017 contract, per Spotrac: $2 million
2017 stat of note: 2.3 WAR

It would be a tough move to trade Avila considering he’s having such a productive season in his return to Detroit.

The backstop has arguably been the best offensive catcher in baseball this season, with a 159 wRC+, a .411 wOBA, a .239 ISO and a .966 OPS to go along with 11 home runs and a 16.7 walk percentage in 222 plate appearances.

Detroit could always trade him and then try to re-sign him in the offseason.

John Hicks can serve in a timeshare with James McCann in the meantime.

Hicks showed well in limited playing time this season, chipping in with 12 RBI, 11 runs scored, six doubles, three home runs, two walks and a stolen base to go along with a .299 average and a .841 OPS in 69 plate appearances.

That also spits out to a 119 wRC+ and a .224 ISO.

Dealing Avila would also help the Detroit Tigers save some extra money if the season isn’t going anywhere.

If the Tigers ended up trading all five players on this list without having to eat salary, they would wipe away significant money from the payroll.

Martinez and Avila are be free agents after the season, so the team would just be saving on the duo’s second-half salaries.

Still, for two players who are making a combined $13.75 million this season, that’s some serious cash.

Additionally, wiping away future commitments to Wilson, Sanchez and Iglesias would put the team in an excellent place moving forward salary-wise.

Next: Breaking down Detroit's schedule after the All-Star Break

Following the World Series, Detroit will also see salary commitments to the likes of Mike Pelfrey and Mark Lowe come off the books, so the team could see a quick turn-around in terms of shedding salary.

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