Detroit Tigers: Best and worst trade partners based on hypothetical fits

Bit of both: Washington Nationals

We start with the Washington Nationals, who could be an excellent trade fit, or not a great trade fit.

Washington doesn’t have the deepest farm system in the league after trading away some elite prospects for Adam Eaton in the offseason.

The farm system was drained further when the team dealt to prospects to Oakland along with reliever Blake Treinen for bullpen reinforcements in Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson.

The Nats do have three extremely-promising prospects in starting pitcher Erick Fedde and outfielders Victor Robles and Juan Soto.

However, outside of the trio, there isn’t too much in terms of elite prospects in Washington’s farm system.

What’s more, the only young talent on the Nationals’ roster who could be fits in Detroit likely aren’t going anywhere.

Trea Turner is on the disabled list and wouldn’t be moved even if he was healthy. Elsewhere, 24-year-old starter Joe Ross will have Tommy John surgery.

If the Tigers can net Robles, Soto or Fedde in a deal, than Washington is an ideal trade partner.

If Detroit can’t pick up any of Washington’s appealing assets, then the National League East franchise ceases to be a solid fit for the Tigers.

Best: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers may be the best trade fit of all.

Not only do the Dodgers have elite prospects who are near Major League-ready, but the team is also a fit for two of the Tigers’ best trade chips in J.D. Martinez and Justin Wilson.

What’s more, Los Angeles also has the payroll to absorb salaries.

Center fielder Alex Verdugo, second baseman Willie Calhoun and starting pitcher Walker Buehler are all in Triple-A. All three could help Detroit down the stretch or by the start of 2018.

Verdugo, Calhoun and Buehler

Verdugo has a cannon of an arm in the outfield and is hitting a blistering .341 with a .412 on-base percentage in 354 plate appearances at Triple-A.

Like his Triple-A teammate, Willie Calhoun is having an outstanding year at the plate.

The former fourth-round pick has been a force at the plate with a .942 OPS to go along with 59 RBI, 55 runs scored, 26 walks, 23 doubles, 19 home runs, five triples and three stolen bases in 360 plate appearances.

Calhoun has also seen time in left field, potentially increasing his future value.

Buehler was just promoted to the minors’ highest level, but has struck out 12.5 per nine innings to go along with a 2.89 ERA and a 1.041 WHIP in 16 starts spanning 65.1 innings.

Other players of note

The Dodgers also have Yadier Alvarez and Yusniel Diaz. While both players are a few years off from the Majors, the duo possess high ceiling nonetheless.

Moving to the Major League roster, Joc Pederson could be another fit. Controllable through 2020, Pederson is a walk machine with power in center field.

In his first two full seasons in the Majors, the outfielder posted an ISO north of .200 and a walk percentage over 13% in each campaign.

So far this year, he’s posted a .223 ISO and a 12.3 walk percentage to go along with a 124 wRC+.

Worst: Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks are somewhat like the Washington Nationals in terms of potential trade assets.

If Al Avila can somehow get the Diamondbacks to part with 24-year-old starter Taijuan Walker, the Detroit Tigers will certainly benefit.

Walker owns a 3.86 FIP and a 47.9 ground ball percentage. The former Seattle Mariners hurler has also struck out 7.83 batters per nine innings while giving up just 0.82 home runs per nine frames.

Since being taken in the first round by the M’s, Walker has always had the upside to be a front-line starter.

Ketel Marte

After the starter, however, there isn’t much in terms of future assets for the Diamondbacks. Shortstop Ketel Marte, who is only 23 and turned in a 134 wRC+ and a .393 wOBA at Triple-A this year, is intriguing.

Hypothetically speaking though, Detroit would need more than Marte if the team parted with J.D. Martinez or Justin Wilson.

There’s also 2017 first-round pick Pavin Smith, but it seems unlikely he’d be moved so soon.

Simply put, there just isn’t the prospect depth in Arizona’s farm system to match up with a talent like Martinez in a trade.

As of now, Detroit’s system is head-and-shoulders above Arizona’s system in terms of top-tier talent, which should tell you all you need to know.

Best: Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs probably would have been in contention with the Dodgers for best trade fit had they not dealt two of their best prospects (outfielder Eloy Jimenez and starter Dylan Cease) to the White Sox in the Jose Quintana swap.

Chicago’s top prospect now is likely Jeimer Candelario, a promising hitter, who owns a .852 OPS  in 281 plate appearances for Triple-A Iowa.

He’s also tacked on 42 RBI, 36 extra-base hits, 34 walks and 32 runs scored.

Candelario plays third and first base. However, he probably won’t get consistent at-bats in the Windy City long-term because of, you know, Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant.

In that regard, the 23-year-old is a fit.

Position players

Other prospective prospect fits include Triple-A outfielder Mark Zagunis, whose penchant for drawing walks is on full display in Iowa.

In 72 games, the 2014 third-round pick has drawn 53 free passes compared to 65 strikeouts in 298 plate appearances. That’s good for a stellar .403 on-base percentage.

Elsewhere, young position players Kyle Schwarber and Alberto Almora Jr. are potential fits with Detroit long-term.

The fact that Chicago has so many potential position player building blocks should appeal to the Detroit Tigers, an organization that is heavy on pitching prospects.

Worst: Kansas City Royals

The Royals are mainly in the worst category because the Detroit Tigers dealing someone like J.D. Martinez or Justin Wilson inside the division seems unlikely.

This is especially true in Wilson’s case considering he’s more than a rental and is controllable through next season.

Additionally, the Detroit Tigers are 5-2 against Kansas City. Brad Ausmus‘ team could leave the Royals with a record that befits a deadline seller by the time Detroit departs for Minnesota.

Although Kansas City could clearly use Martinez as an upgrade in right field or at designated hitter, or Wilson as a bullpen upgrade to help form a bridge to Kelvin Herrera, the team’s farm system is simply nowhere near what it used to be.

Because of this, the Royals may not want to delve into their farm system too much at the trade deadline considering they could conceivably lose most of the team’s nucleus to free agency.

Upcoming free agents

First baseman Eric Hosmer, center fielder Lorenzo Cain, third baseman Mike Moustakas, shortstop Alcides Escobar and starting pitcher Jason Vargas are all slated to hit free agency following the conclusion of the World Series.

Next: Why the Astros and Tigers match up as potential trade partners

Closer Herrera and starting pitcher Jason Hammel will both hit free agency following the 2018 campaign, so Kansas City might want to start recouping value now from their roster so they aren’t left with nothing to show for an extremely successful nucleus.