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.

Lewis Brinson
Age: 23
Position: Outfielder

Lewis Brinson is probably out of the question given his status as one of the game’s best prospects, but aim high right?

The outfielder’s power-speed combination in extremely enticing, and he’s got All-Star upside if everything clicks.

Brinson is currently destroying minor league pitching in Triple-A to the tune of a .346 batting average, a .418 on-base percentage, a .571 slugging percentage and a .989 OPS.

He’s also contributed 60 runs scored, 43 RBI, 34 extra-base hits, 29 walks and 11 stolen bases.

While Brinson would likely only be involved in a monster deal given his value, it would be interesting to see what Detroit could net in a larger trade involving Justin Wilson, Ian Kinsler and Alex Avila.

Avila hasn’t been linked to the Brewers, but the fit is there. He could form a platoon with former Detroit farmhand Manny Pina behind the dish.

Brett Phillips
Age: 23
Position: Outfielder

Another potential outfield solution, Phillips could step in every day for the Detroit Tigers down the stretch.

An excellent fielder, Phillips’ ability to cover ground would play extremely well in Comerica Park’s spacious center field.

Acquiring the outfielder, who possess excellent speed, is hitting .293 with a .940 OPS in Triple-A this season.

His acquisition, or Brinson’s for that matter, would allow Detroit to shift Mikie Mahtook to right field and bring Christin Stewart and Mike Gerber along at a les-rushed pace.

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.