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Detroit Tigers: Milwaukee Brewers are ideal trade partner if Ian Kinsler is dealt

By Ben Rosener

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 14: Ian Kinsler #3 of the Detroit Tigers hits a solo home run against the Chicago White Sox during the ninth inning at Comerica Park on September 14, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The White Sox defeated the Tigers 17-7. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 14: Ian Kinsler #3 of the Detroit Tigers hits a solo home run against the Chicago White Sox during the ninth inning at Comerica Park on September 14, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The White Sox defeated the Tigers 17-7. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – SEPTEMBER 23: Brett Phillips #33 of the Milwaukee Brewers hits a single in the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park on September 23, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – SEPTEMBER 23: Brett Phillips #33 of the Milwaukee Brewers hits a single in the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park on September 23, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Corbin Burnes

The only player not on this list so far still in the minors, Burnes has shown plenty of promise since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2016 draft.

Already in Double-A, the right-hander worked to a 2.10 ERA, 8.8 strikeouts and 2.2 walks allowed per nine innings and a 1.004 WHIP.

Stats aren’t everything when regarding prospects. However, it’s encouraging to see that Burnes is already making quick work of older opposition.

The average competition for the starter was 2.2 years his senior.

Mixing in four quality pitches, Burnes would probably fit into the same timetable as current Tigers prospects Franklin Perez, Beau Burrows and Grayson Long in reaching the Majors within the next two years.

Mauricio Dubon

Another prospect who could be established in the Majors in the next few years, Dubon is a quality fielding middle infielder who stole 38 bases in 129 games split between Double-A and Triple-A last year.

He also added a .712 OPS.

With Isaac Paredes and Dawel Lugo a few years away, Detroit is in need of Major-League ready middle infielders.

Brett Phillips

Like Broxton, Phillips is part of a crowded outfield picture.

Braun, Broxton and Santana are ahead of him in the pecking order.

What’s more, Brinson is playing like he has little left to prove in the minors.

The prospect batted .331 with a .400 on-base percentage, a .562 slugging percentage, a .962 OPS, 66 runs scored, 48 RBI, 39 extra-base hits and 11 stolen baes in 340 Triple-A plate appearances this season.

If the prospects produces at a level anywhere near that in the Majors, he could push Phillips out of the picture.

Given Phillips’ ceiling, however, one year of Ian Kinsler may not be enough to snag the outfielder.

With Anthony Swarzak set to hit free agency this winter, perhaps the Detroit Tigers could package Kinsler with reliever Alex Wilson in a hypothetical trade.

Next: Why it is essential for Tigers to sign veteran free agents this offseason

According to Spotrac, Wilson has two years of team control left via arbitration.

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