Detroit Tigers: Trade fits and hypothetical targets in Milwaukee Brewers’ system

Detroit Tigers fans could conceivably see a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers in the coming week and change. Here’s a look at Milwaukee’s best trade chips.

Detroit Tigers fans have seen plenty of players names bandied about in trade rumors recently.

Those players, like Justin Wilson, Justin Verlander and Alex Avila, have been linked with a number of teams.

Wilson and Verlander have both been reportedly linked with the Milwaukee Brewers as of late. And now, it seems we can add another player to the list of Tigers who have brought up in rumors in relation to the National League Central franchise.

That player would be Ian Kinsler.

ESPN’s Buster Olney tweeted on Saturday morning:

“The Brewers are digging into the possibility of acquiring Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler.”

The need certainly makes sense on paper.

Starter Jonathan Villar is sitting on a -0.6 WAR, a .277 wOBA, a 63 wRC+ and a .287 on-base percentage for the Brew Crew.

Eric Sogard has been better defensively and more productive offensively. The utility man is batting .331 with a .924 OPS in 162 plate appearances.

However, Sogard’s success has been in part due to a .372 BABIP. His lifetime OPS entering 2017 was just .609.

In his last three Major League seasons with Oakland from 2013 to 2015, the 31-year-old registered just a .305 on-base percentage in 1140 plate appearances.

So while he may be turning a corner offensively, he could also be due for some serious regression in the second half of the season.

Slipping in the standings

Milwaukee is doing some serious regressing of their own at the moment.

What was a 5.5 game lead over the Chicago Cubs on July 15 has quickly evaporated. As of Sunday, Travis Shaw and friends are just a game ahead of the reigning world champions.

If the Detroit Tigers and Milwaukee Brewers make trade, these are the players Al Avila should go after.

Hernan Perez
Age: 26
Positions: Everywhere except pitcher and catcher

Perez fits what the Tigers want in terms of younger, controllable and faster players.

A former Detroit Tigers player himself, Perez lost his roster spot due to the influx of middle infielders Detroit once had.

Now in Milwaukee, the ex-Tiger has developed into a player who brings an intriguing blend of speed and power to the table.

The 26-year-old registered 56 RBI, 50 runs scored, 34 stolen bases and 13 home runs in 430 plate appearances last season.

This year, he’s logged 320 plate appearances, chipping in with 36 RBI, 34 runs scored, 11 home runs and eight stolen bases.

His wRC+ numbers the last two years (89 in 2016, 85 this year) aren’t ideal, but his ability to contribute to the team in a number of different ways would certainly help the Tigers.

It doesn’t hurt that Perez can play all four infield positions and all three outfield positions. Essentially, he’s a younger Andrew Romine with a better bat who can play every day due to his offense.

Mauricio Dubon
Age: 23
Position: Shortstop and second base

Dubon could step in right away for Ian Kinsler, if not by 2018 at the latest. The middle infielder has solid on-base ability, and also runs well, as evidenced by 33 stolen bases in 91 minor league games so far this seasons.

He’s only notching a .287 on-base percentage in Triple-A this season, so perhaps a 2018 debut is more likely.

Still, the upside is there as a potential table setter if he can continue to reach base and cause trouble on the base paths.

Keon Broxton
Age: 27
Position: Outfielder

Another speed-power player—sensing a theme?—Broxton is hitting just .218 with a .294 on-base percentage this season.

However, he’s been productive when he does make contact or reaches base.

In 326 plate appearances, the center fielder collected 49 runs scored, 36 RBI, 17 stolen baes and 14 home runs.

His 83 wRC+ isn’t anything to write home about, but if he can post numbers similar to last season (.242 batting average, .354 on-base percentage and a 109 wRC+) he has the chance to make an impact.

Sporting a sparkling 3.0 BsR this year, Broxton would give Detroit another speed element to pair with Alex Presley, Mikie Mahtook and Jose Iglesias.

He also has two seasons of team control left before he’s even eligible for arbitration. Broxton is slated to hit free agency after the 2022 campaign.

Josh Hader
Age: 23
Position: Pitcher

Easily Milwaukee’s best pitching prospect, Hader mixes a strong fastball with a slider and a changeup. So far in the Majors, he’s pitched out of the bullpen, striking out 17 and notching a 1.20 ERA in 15 innings.

However, Hader will likely move to the rotation full time down the line. The hurler has 95 starts to his name in the minors.

Next: Rebuilds aren’t an exact science so tanking should be off table for Tigers

In 541 lifetime minor league innings, the left-hander punched out 10.1 batters per nine innings.