Detroit Tigers hypothetical trade idea: Justin Wilson to Houston Astros

Breakdown for the Detroit Tigers

James Hoyt

Justin Wilson is going to be difficult to replace for the Detroit Tigers.

In terms of replacement closers, the team doesn’t have many. Shane Greene is better suited throwing multiple innings and putting out fires at earlier points in the game.

Meanwhile, Bruce Rondon has been up and down. There’s also Joe Jimenez, who seems like the most logical fit.

Jimenez has closed games in the minors and looks like the future closer for Detroit. However, the Tigers may find it prudent to ease him into high-pressure situations.

In this scenario, the team would need to pair him with another arm to handle ninth-inning duties.

Luckily, Detroit acquired one in this hypothetical trade: James Hoyt.

According to Spotrac, Hoyt is controllable through the 2022 season. He also is elite when it comes to missing bats.

On the season, the right-hander is punching out 13.74 batters per nine frames in 37.1 innings this season.

That number ranks sixth in the Majors among relievers. Additionally, only Craig Kimbrel and Roberto Osuna haven logged higher swinging strike percentages than Hoyt’s 18.3 number.

The Houston reliever also ranks 15^th in the league in terms of strikeout percentage with a 35.2%. That checks in right behind Wilson at 15.

Players with a lower strikeout percentage than Hoyt around the league include Wade Davis, Brad Hand, Cody Allen and Felipe Rivero.

James Hoyt’s 5.54 ERA isn’t anything to write home about, but the hurler’s other run-prevention numbers are noteworthy.

Hoyt’s additional stats are as follows: 3.07 FIP, 2.51 xFIP and a 2.32 SIERA.

Derek Fisher

A potential outfield solution for the Detroit Tigers for the next decade, Derek Fisher could step in right away for the Tigers in either center field or right field.

He’s already logged 33 plate appearances for Houston this year, collecting five RBI, five runs scored, a pair of home runs and a stolen base.

Moving forward, Fisher should continue to contribute at the dish and on the base paths.

Possessing an intriguing mix of power and speed, Fisher has shined in Triple-A this year.

In 384 plate appearances at the minor’s highest level, the outfielder is batting .318 with a .973 OPS and a 9.1 walk percentage.

Fisher has also chipped in with 66 RBI, 63 runs scored, 21 home runs, 16 stolen baes and a 144 wRC+.

Able to play all three outfield spots, Fisher could start in center field every day and shift Mikie Mahtook to right field in the process.

The team could also keep Mahtook and slide Fisher to right field depending on which defensive alignment works best.

Fisher’s arrival would also give the team more outfield options and depth moving forward.

In a perfect world, Christin Stewart would occupy right field from Opening Day and never relinquish the job.

However, adding Fisher would give the team the flexibility to bring Stewart along more slowly.

Additionally, Fisher also gives Detroit an added outfielder in the chance that Justin Upton opts out of his deal in the offseason and leaves via free agency.

Yordan Alvarez

The Detroit Tigers don’t have many options to replace Miguel Cabrera at first base long term. Of course, the slugger’s contract will keep him in the Motor City through at least 2023 (per Spotrac).

Still, a transition from first base to designated hitter could be coming whenever Victor Martinez decides to move on.

Because of Cabrera’s extended period of excellence with the Tigers, Detroit hasn’t needed to worry about drafting a future first baseman in the past.

The team did add Reynaldo Rivera in the second round of the 2017 draft, but the slugger may stick in the one of outfield corners long term.

One player who could eventually step in for Cabrera is Yordan Alvarez, the third piece in this hypothetical trade.

A participant in this year’s Futures Game in Miami over the All-Star break, Alvarez has shown considerable offensive upside in the low minors with 47 RBI, 32 runs scored, 12 doubles and 10 home runs in 57 games.

He’s also hitting .318, and has notched an impressive .413 on-base percentage this season.

The 20-year-old is still a ways away from the Major Leagues considering he was just promoted to Advanced-A Buies Creek.

However, it isn’t hard to imagine Alvarez eventually hitting in the middle of the Detroit Tigers lineup down the line.

Implications

Right of the bat (pun!) Jose Iglesias’ addition in the hypothetical deal means Dixon Machado would step in every day.

Iglesias would help Houston make up for Carlos Correa while the shortstop is on the disabled list.

While the team would obviously be dealing an established defensive performer, there’s reason to believe Machado may be an eventual upgrade.

The younger shortstop has registered superior offensive numbers in a smaller sample size, and could find more success with more at-bats.

What’s more, Machado flashes the defensive potential to make just as much of an impact as Iglesias does fielding-wise.

Salary

Moving Wilson and Iglesias would help the Detroit Tigers trim payroll while staying competitive.

Both players would be replaced with cheaper alternatives (Hoyt and Machado) with similar ceilings talent wise.

According to Spotrac, Wilson is making $2.7 million this year, while Iglesias is taking home $4.1 million.

Moving the duo would also help save the Tigers cash next year, as both are likely in line for arbitration raises.

Young position player talent

Not only would Detroit save money, the team would also add two promising position player prospects in Fisher and Alvarez.

The Tigers’ farm system is pitching heavy prospect-wise at the moment, so adding Fisher and Alvarez would certainly improve the future outlook.

Long term, they could form a promising nucleus alongside the likes of Machado, Stewart, Mike Gerber, Derek Hill, Dawel Lugo, Rivera and Sam McMillan.

Next: #MustSeeJV-- the latest rumor regarding Detroit's ace

For the Astros’ side of things, here what Climbing Tal’s Hill’ had to say about the hypothetical deal.