Motor City Bengals
FanSided

Detroit Tigers: Four trade ideas involving Jordan Zimmermann

By Ben Rosener

DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 23: Jordan Zimmermann #27 of the Detroit Tigers throws a first inning pitch while playing the New York Yankees at Comerica Park on August 23, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 23: Jordan Zimmermann #27 of the Detroit Tigers throws a first inning pitch while playing the New York Yankees at Comerica Park on August 23, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 24: Yoenis Cespedes #52 of the New York Mets follows through on a sixth inning double against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field on August 24, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 24: Yoenis Cespedes #52 of the New York Mets follows through on a sixth inning double against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field on August 24, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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.

Home/Detroit Tigers News