Detroit Tigers: Houston Astros trade fits and hypothetical targets

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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 Tigers players could conceivably be on the move in the coming weeks. If Detroit trades any player to the Houston Astros, these are the players and prospects who are fits with the Tigers.

Detroit Tigers fans have seen plenty of rumors as of late surrounding players on the team. Just earlier this week, closer and left-handed reliever extraordinaire Justin Wilson was reportedly linked with the Houston Astros.

This is speculative, but the Astros are also a hypothetical fit for J.D. Martinez.

The former Astro is in the midst of a strong season, and could provide Houston with additional lineup reinforcements.

George Springer (3.9 WAW, .989 OPS) and Josh Reddick (2.2 WAR, .872 OPS) have both been solid in center field and left field respectively.

While Marwin Gonzalez has seen some time in left field—predominantly splitting time with Nori Aoki—Martinez would be a definite upgrade.

It obviously remains to be seen what the Tigers will do at the deadline, and if Wilson, Martinez or others are dealt.

However, Houston makes for an intriguing trade partner given the team’s bevy of young players and promising prospects. Here’s a look at some Astros players and prospects who could conceivably be fits in trades.

Alex Bregman

Age: 23
Positions: Third base and shortstop
Controllable through: 2022
2017 stat of note: 103 wRC+

Of all of Houston’s young players at the Major League level, Bregman may be one of the least likely to be dealt given his age, upside and the fact that he isn’t even eligible for arbitration for two more seasons.

Still though, the fit is there with the Detroit Tigers.

Detroit could immediately plug in the former second-overall pick at third base or shortstop. His arrival would allow the Tigers to shop Nicholas Castellanos or Jose Iglesias for additional assets.

While Bregman’s numbers in 2017 (.253 batting average, .752 OPS, 103 wRC+, .162 ISO) have dropped somewhat from his stats in his debut season (.264 batting average, .791 OPS, 112 wRC+, .214 ISO), the LSU product has upped his walk rate and lowered his strikeout percentage.

In 337 plate appearances this season, the infielder has improved his walk percentage from 6.9% to 10.1%.

He’s also dropped his 24% strikeout rate to 16.9% this year.

This is promising to see, especially considering Bregman is still only 23.

The Houston standout would immediately give Detroit another bat able to hit towards the middle of the lineup and build around for the future.

Derek Fisher

Age: 23
Position: Outfielder
Current minor league affiliate: Triple-A Fresno
2017 stat of note: .927 OPS with Triple-A

Power and speed, that’s what Derek Fisher brings to the game.

It’s that same power and speed that will help him make an impact in the Major Leagues.

At the plate, Fisher looks like the player that many envisioned JaCoby Jones to be in terms of blending pop and the ability to steal bases.

The outfielder has notched a .278 average, a .927 OPS and 42 extra-base hits and a .261 ISO in 346 plate appearances.

What’s more, Fisher has turned in a .393 wOBA and 14 stolen bases at the minors’ highest level.

In a brief five-game stint with Houston earlier this season, the 23-year-old showed well, collecting five hits, three RBI, three runs scored, three walks, two home runs and a stolen base in 21 plate appearances.

Detroit could slot him in as J.D. Martinez’ replacement in the outfield alongside Mikie Mahtook and Justin Upton.

The Tigers can always shift him to center field to accommodate for Christin Stewart in 2018.

Framber Valdez

Age: 23
Position: starter and reliever
Current minor league affiliate: Double-A Corpus Christi
2017 stat of note: 71.2 ground ball percentage with Corpus Christi

Having found success as a starter and reliever, Framber Valdez looks like a solid bet to make it to the Majors. Considering he’s already in Double-A, that could be sooner rather than later.

The 23-year-old’s heater can tough the mid-90s, and he mixes in a curveball and a changeup.

All told, the southpaw is striking out 10.4 batters per nine innings to go along with a 1.178 WHIP in 82.1 innings split between Advanced-A and Double-A.

Valdez also shows an excellent ability to induce grounders, with a 71.2 ground ball percentage for Corpus Christi after notching a 55.5% with Advanced-A.

It’s easy to imagine him slotting in as a either a starter or a lefty-reliever as part of Detroit’s future pitching staff alongside the likes of Beau Burrows, Kyle Funkhouser, Jairo Labourt and Joe Jimenez.

James Hoyt

Age: 30
Position: Relief pitcher
Controllable through: 2022
2017 stat of note: 18.3 swinging strike percentage

Having only been in the Major Leagues for two seasons hasn’t stopped James Hoyt from missing bats at an excellent rate.

The hard-throwing right-hander owns a 37.9 strikeout percentage, 14.42 punch outs per nine frames and a 18.3 swinging strike percentage.

He’d immediately slot in as a late-inning option for manager Brad Ausmus, helping the Detroit Tigers potentially replace Justin Wilson in the process.

Kyle Tucker

Age: 20
Position: Outfielder
Current minor league affiliate: Double-A Corpus Christi
2017 stat of note: .922 OPS

One of the top outfield prospects in baseball, Tucker is currently sporting a .908 OPS in 36 games again competition in Double-A that is on average over four years older than him.

Tucker has also added 25 runs scored, 20 RBI, 10 doubles, eight home runs, six stolen bases and a triple.

Overall, he’s collected 63 RBI, 56 runs scored, 35 walks, 22 doubles, 19 stolen bases, 17 home runs and five triples in 367 plate appearances.

A solid fielder, Tucker looks like a potential franchise cornerstone.

Next: This National League West team is reportedly interested in J.D.

Considering Tucker is already thriving at Double-A, the team could bring him to the Majors early if they acquired him, or bring him along slowly behind the likes of Upton, Mahtook, Stewart and Alex Presley.

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Detroit Tigers players could conceivably be on the move in the coming weeks. If Detroit trades any player to the Houston Astros, these are the players and prospects who are fits with the Tigers.

Alex Bregman

Age: 23Positions: Third base and shortstopControllable through: 20222017 stat of note: 103 wRC+

Derek Fisher

Age: 23Position: OutfielderCurrent minor league affiliate: Triple-A Fresno2017 stat of note: .927 OPS with Triple-A

Framber Valdez

Age: 23Position: starter and relieverCurrent minor league affiliate: Double-A Corpus Christi2017 stat of note: 71.2 ground ball percentage with Corpus Christi