Detroit Tigers: Exploring Leonys Martin trade scenarios

The Rockies will need to decide if they are going to be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. They are in fourth place in the NL West, but are only 5.5 games out of second place. If the Rockies do decide to buy, one place they could afford some extra help is in center field.

Charlie Blackmon is not having a great year, but he will remain the undisputed starter even if they acquire Martin. Gerardo Parra and Carlos Gonzalez are starting in left and right, respectively. Both are having average seasons, and neither are capable of patrolling center field at this stage in their career. David Dahl is out for another month or so, and the combo of backups Noel Cuevas and Mike Tauchman has been uninspiring, to say the very least.

Similar to Boston, Colorado could show interest in Martin as a defense-first fourth outfielder. And like Boston, they may not want to part with high-profile prospects to shore up their bench. However, if they do decide to go all-in and shoot for a playoff berth, they could mortgage some of their farm system to add a guy like Martin.

Potential Return?

Forrest Wall is a former 2B prospect that the Rockies converted to center field. While most scouts think he will be restricted to left field in the show, he has a solid bat tool and plus speed, which could make him a Peter Bourjos type player. Injuries have slowed his development in the minors, but he has taken big strides forward this season. He began the year at High-A, hitting .305 and stealing 20 bases in just 47 games. He was promoted to Double-A and although he’s only hit .220, he sports a solid 10.5% walk rate with three home runs and five steals in 23 games.

A couple other prospects the Tigers could inquire about from Colorado include 1B/3B Tyler Nevin (son of former Tiger Phil Nevin) flame-throwing right-hander Robert Tyler and first baseman Brian Mundell.