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Detroit Tigers should make this trade with the San Diego Padres

By Ben Rosener

ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 15: Jose Iglesias #1 of the Detroit Tigers hits a rbi double in the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on August 15, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 15: Jose Iglesias #1 of the Detroit Tigers hits a rbi double in the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on August 15, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 04: Travis Jankowski #16 of the San Diego Padres runs toward third base on a single by teammate Wil Myers #4 (not in photo) as Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches the ball go into right field during the first inning of their MLB game at Dodger Stadium on April 4, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The Padres defeated the Dodgers 4-0. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 04: Travis Jankowski #16 of the San Diego Padres runs toward third base on a single by teammate Wil Myers #4 (not in photo) as Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches the ball go into right field during the first inning of their MLB game at Dodger Stadium on April 4, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The Padres defeated the Dodgers 4-0. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

Travis Jankowski

The second Travis in this hypothetical trade is Travis Jankowski. Like Wood, he could step in and play a prominent role from Opening Day onwards.

A 26-year-old outfield with four years of controllability remaining (according to Spotrac), Jankowski isn’t eligible for arbitration until next offseason.

A speed merchant, the outfield was limited to just 87 plate appearances in 2017. However, he showed plenty of upside in 2016.

Over 131 games, including 383 plate appearances, during that season, Jankowski accrued a 3.1 BsR, 30 stolen bases, an 11.0% walk percentage and an 83 wRC+ en route to notching a 2.1 WAR.

It also didn’t hurt that he posted a strong 12.2 Def, a 20.9 UZR/150 and a +3 DRS in 697 innings in center field.

He’d make for an intriguing outfield troika with JaCoby Jones and Mikie Mahtook where defense and base running are concerned.

Jankowski’s controllability and relative youth could also make him a long-term piece in Detroit.

Next: We interviewed Jake Rogers, one of the three prospects acquired for Justin Verlander

However, at worst he’s an outfield stop-gap option that will improve the team’s defense and base running while also bridging the gap to prospects like Christin Stewart, Daz Cameron, Derek Hill and Jose Azocar.

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