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.