Detroit Tigers: The Five Best Trades in Franchise History

Detroit acquires Anibal Sanchez, Omar Infante from Miami in exchange for Jacob Turner, Rob Brantly and Brian Flynn

The Detroit Tigers were on a five-game winning streak and sitting atop the AL Central with a 52-44 record when they decided to go all-in. They shipped away Jacob Turner, who had started the day before, along with two other prospects to the Marlins. Turner was selected ninth overall in 2009, and was considered one of the best Tigers prospects since Justin Verlander.

In exchange the Tigers received an old friend in Omar Infante, who had been with the Tigers from 2002-2007. He had gone to Atlanta and Miami, even making an All-Star game in 2010. The Tigers desperately needed a second baseman, with Ramon Santiago, Ryan Raburn and Danny Worth splitting time at the keystone prior to Infante’s arrival.

Infante only hit .257/.283/.385 down the stretch, but that was still an upgrade for the Tigers. He went on to have an excellent 2013 season, slashing .318/.345/.450 with 10 home runs before signing with the Royals in the offseason.

The Tigers had four excellent starting pitchers in 2012: Verlander, Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello and Doug Fister. They had been struggling all season to fill their last rotation spot. Drew Smyly, Casey Crosby, Adam Wilk and Turner all got a shot at the role.

That lead to the decision to grab Anibal Sanchez from the Marlins. Sanchez went 4-6 with a 3.74 ERA down the stretch, and of course won the ERA title the next year with a 2.57 ERA and a 14-8 record.

What Detroit Gave Up

Overall, Sanchez and Infante combined for a 11.3 bWAR after coming over to the Motor City. Turner, along with Brian Flynn and Rob Brantly, combined for a -1.8 bWAR in Miami. This trade was highway robbery for the Tigers, thanks primarily to Turner’s career not panning out.

Turner is just 27 years old, and after a 5.08 ERA in the National’s bullpen last year, he is back in Miami in 2018. Through 5.2 innings, he has a 15.88 ERA.

The Detroit Tigers set out to acquire a second baseman and another starting pitcher at the 2012 trade deadline. They gave away three prospects who never panned out, and filled their two roster gaps to perfection. Hard to argue with this one.