Detroit Tigers: Four trade ideas involving Jordan Zimmermann

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DETROIT, MI – JULY 29: Pitchers Justin Verlander #35 of the Detroit Tigers and Jordan Zimmermann #27 of the Detroit Tigers listen to Ian Kinsler #3 of the Detroit Tigers after his RBI-double against the Houston Astros that gave the Tigers a 4-3 lead during the seventh inning and at Comerica Park on July 29, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Detroit Tigers fans could see more trades happen over the course of the offseason. Here are some trade ideas involving veteran starter Jordan Zimmermann.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann hasn’t enjoyed the best start to his career in the Motor City.

Signed in the offseason prior to the 2016 campaign, Zimmermann was supposed to be the frontline pitcher the Tigers so desperately needed after losing Max Scherzer and then David Price.

That being said, the veteran has been anything but that in two seasons with Detroit.

After pitching to a WAR north of 3.0 in five consecutive years, Zimmermann turned in a 1.3 WAR in 2016.

That stat was accompanied by a 4.87 ERA, a 4.42 WHIP, a 4.84 xFIP and a 4.81 SIERA in 105.1 innings.

Zimmermann’s strikeout rates also plummeted, from 7.32 punch outs per nine frames in 2015 with the Nationals to 5.64 in his first go around in the Motor City.

This season, the starter has turned in a 0.8 WAR, a 6.18 ERA, a 5.37 FIP, a 5.49 xFIP and a 5.26 SIERA in 150 frames.

His strikeouts stats have improved somewhat, rising to 5.76 strikeouts per nine frames.

Still, it’s not the production Detroit was expecting when the team inked the player to a five year, $110 million contract (per Spotrac).

With the Tigers in full-on rebuilding move, the team could still trade some veterans in the near future.

With Justin Verlander, Justin Upton, J.D. Martinez, Justin Wilson and Alex Avila having been dealt in the last handful of months, there aren’t many veterans left.

In a perfect world, the Tigers will be able to find takers for experienced players like Jose Iglesias and Zimmermann.

That’s easier said than done, however.

Contract details

According to Spotrac, Zimmermann has a full no-trade clause through next season and a partial no-trade clause in 2019 and 2020.

He’d obviously have to approve a deal, and this is all speculative mind you, bit here are some trade ideas involving the starting pitcher.

For reference, Zimmermann has $74 million left on his contract through 2020 per the folks at Spotrac.

Troy Tulowitzki

Remaining salary per Spotrac: $54 million through 2020 with a $15 million team option for 2021

The Tigers have a shortstop for foreseeable future in Dixon Machado, not to mention a long-term shortstop in Isaac Paredes.

Paredes spent 2017 impressing against significantly older competition (3.2 years on average) in the Midwest League.

Eventually, Detroit could go with Machado and Paredes at the two middle infield positions, but Paredes is a few years away from contributing to the Tigers.

Tulowitzki could slide over to second base to replace Ian Kinsler and serve as a bridge to Paredes. There’s also the possibility that Tulo eventually bounces back and becomes a trade chip in his own right.

Toronto currently has Ryan Goins at shortstop, and could use the starting pitching.

Marco Estrada is currently slated for free agency after this current season, while J.A. Happ will be pitching on an expiring deal in 2018.

Jacoby Ellsbury

Remaining salary per Spotrac: $63,428,571 through 2020. $21 million club option for 2021

With Mikie Mahtook the only established starter in the outfield, the Detroit Tigers could use some added outfield help while the team’s prospects develop.

Ellsbury has just a .331 on-base percentage and a .717 OPS since joining the Yankees after turning in a .342 on-base percentage and a .760 OPS in his Red Sox career.

Like Zimmermann, he has no-trade protection, but the fit is there for Ellsbury to serve as a placeholder in the outfield so Detroit doesn’t have to rush the likes of Christin Stewart, Mike Gerber, Daz Cameron and Derek Hill.

It would also give the Tigers a Jacoby and a JaCoby in the outfield, so that’s fun.

Yoenis Cespedes

Remaining salary per Spotrac: $87.5 million through 2020

Admittedly, this is extremely—emphasize extremely—unlikely considering old friend Cespedes is still capable of being a run producer in the middle of the lineup while Zimmermann has struggled.

Still, the Mets need starting pitching help, and they do have Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo and Juan Lagares in the outfield as replacements.

Zimmermann could find more success in a return to the National League, where he wouldn’t have to face the designated hitter.

In this situation, the Detroit Tigers would have to pay down some of Zimmermann’s contract to make the salaries work.

Yasmany Tomas

Remaining salary per Spotrac: $10 million in 2018 with player options for $15 million and $17 million in 2019 and 2020

Tomas has struggled mightily this season with a .294 OBP and an 89 wRC+ in 180 plate appearances this season. He’s still providing some power, with a .223 ISO and eight home runs, but the ability to hit for contact simply hasn’t been there in 2017.

If Arizona re-signs J.D. Martinez, Tomas could be out of regular playing time.

Additionally, Zimmermann gives the team some rotation insurance with Patrick Corbin eligible for free agency after the 2018 campaign.

Able to play the infield and outfield corners, the Detroit Tigers could use him in a similar fashion to how the Twins deploy Miguel Sano.

Next: The Tigers 2020 Opening Day roster will look like this

Similar to Ellsbury, he could provide cover while Stewart and Gerber develop.

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