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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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TORONTO, ON – JULY 24: Ryan Goins #17 of the Toronto Blue Jays is congratulated by Ezequiel Carrera #3 after making a sliding catch in the fourth inning during MLB game action against the Oakland Athletics at Rogers Centre on July 24, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JULY 24: Ryan Goins #17 of the Toronto Blue Jays is congratulated by Ezequiel Carrera #3 after making a sliding catch in the fourth inning during MLB game action against the Oakland Athletics at Rogers Centre on July 24, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Help needed

Given Toronto’s inability to find a consistent solution at the position—Travis has also been limited to 213 games and 868 plate appearances since the onset of the 2015 season—Kinsler would be a strong, stable fit with the Blue Jays.

The second baseman, who should win another Gold Glove this season, was baseball’s second best defensive player at his position where the Def metric is concerned.

Only Miami’s Dee Gordon (8.6) had a higher defensive runs above average number than Kinsler’s 8.1 figure.

Detroit’s second baseman also ranked in the top three in DRS (third) and UZR/150 (first).

Even in a down year at the plate, Kinsler was still among baseball’s best players offensively at his position.

The veteran ranked in the top 10 among all second baseman in walk percentage (fifth), ISO (eighth), runs scored (eighth) and home runs (ninth) despite a .244 BABIP that was well below the infielder’s usual number in the category.

The outfield

There’s also the matter of the outfield in Toronto.

Should Jose Bautista depart in the winter, it will leave the Jays with a mix of Kevin Pillar, Teoscar Hernandez, Steve Pearce and former Detroit Tigers player Ezequiel Carrera.

Top prospect Anthony Alford is also an option.

However, he’s played in just three Triple-A games and four Major League contests. Alford spent the bulk of the 2017 campaign with Double-A New Hampshire.

Jim Adduci obviously isn’t the be-all-end-all solution to Toronto’s outfield woes.

However, he would give the team another option in an outfield mix that is devoid of any surefire starters outside of Pillar.

Last season, Blue Jays outfielders finished 28th in the league in fWAR, 26th in wOBA and 27th in wRC+.

The unit also checked in at 22nd in DRS with a collective -14 sum. They also ranked 25th in UZR/150 with a cumulative -2.8 stat.

Adding Adduci (.312 wOBA, 10.8% walk rate, 4.9 UZR/150, +3 DRS in right field) would give the Jays a dependable, all-around option to turn to.

This could be vital in the case that one or both of Hernandez and Alford struggle.

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