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Detroit Tigers should make this trade with the Toronto Blue Jays

By Ben Rosener

DETROIT, MI - JUNE 7: Ian Kinsler #3 of the Detroit Tigers singles to left field in the tenth inning for the game winning hit during the game against the Toronto Blue Jay on June 7, 2016 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Blue Jays 3-2. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 7: Ian Kinsler #3 of the Detroit Tigers singles to left field in the tenth inning for the game winning hit during the game against the Toronto Blue Jay on June 7, 2016 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Blue Jays 3-2. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Tigers
DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 19: Ian Kinsler #3 of the Detroit Tigers makes a play at second base to get out Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning during a MLB game at Comerica Park on August 19, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /

The Tigers add some pieces for the future, Toronto fortifies the second base and outfield picture

The trade:

Detroit Tigers acquire: Second baseman Devon Travis, relief pitcher Danny Barnes and shortstop Kevin Smith.

Toronto Blue Jays acquire: Second baseman Ian Kinsler and outfielder Jim Adduci.

Second base and the outfield were two major areas of need for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017.

Toronto second baseman finished second to last in the league in fWAR with a collective -0.8 number that ranked only above the Texas Rangers’ group of second baseman.

With injured starter Devon Travis limited to 197 plate appearances, the Blue Jays were forced to mix and match with the hodgepodge troika of Ryan Goins, Rob Refsnyder and Darwin Barney.

None of the three broke even where fWAR was concerned, with Goins leading the way with a -0.3 number.

Elsewhere, Goins, Refsnyder and Barney all saw their respective wRC+ stats finish at 69, 32 and 58 respectively. Additionally, all three had wOBA stats below the .280 mark.

Fielding

Defensively, Goins was the best of Travis’ three replacements with a good-but-not-great Def of 1.0. He also finished with a -3 DRS and a 1.7 UZR/150 in 383.1 defensive frames.

Elsewhere, Refsnyder and Barney—who combined for 622.2 defensive innings—struggled.

The ex-Yankees infielder spent 111 innings at the position, working to a -1.0 Def, a +1 DRS and a -10.5 UZR/150.

Meanwhile, Barney wasn’t much better in 511.2 defensive frames. He notched a 0.3 Def, a -3 DRS and a -1.3 UZR/150.

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