Detroit Tigers should make this trade with the San Diego Padres

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DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 1: Pitcher Blaine Hardy #36 of the Detroit Tigers is pulled by manager Brad Ausmus #7 of the Detroit Tigers as catcher John Hicks #55 of the Detroit Tigers looks on during the sixth inning of game two of a doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park on September 1, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Hardy gave up three runs and five hits in less than three innings of relief. The Indians defeated the Tigers 10-0. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Blaine Hardy

The second player that the Detroit Tigers would move in this hypothetical trade is left-handed reliever Blaine Hardy.

For the longest time, San Diego churned out plenty of quality relievers. While the team still has a number of promising arms, the Padres’ bullpen ranked 29^th in the league in both WAR and FIP.

While Hardy wouldn’t be the answer in San Diego, there’s a chance he could find more success at spacious Petco Park.

The left-hander was among Detroit’s most reliable relievers from 2014 to 2016, turning in a 1.5 fWAR, 7.57 strikeouts per nine frames, a 3.00 ERA and a 3.30 FIP in 126 innings.

However, Hardy’s stats cratered last season.

His fWAR dipped into the negatives at -0.2 as he also turned in a 5.94 ERA, a 5.38 FIP, a 5.37 xFIP and a 4.66 SIERA in just 33.1 innings.

There’s always the possibility that he could pitch more effectively in Detroit, but the Tigers have younger left-handed options at their disposal.

Stumpf and Labourt

Daniel Stumpf showed well for significant stretches last season, and is perhaps the team’s most dependable relief pitcher outside of Shane Greene and Alex Wilson.

There’s also Jairo Labourt. The former Toronto farmhand debuted in the majors last season.

He still has some issues with walks, but if he can reign things in the same way he did at Double-A Erie this year, he has a chance to be an impact reliever.

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