Detroit Tigers: Solving the Second Base Problem

The Detroit Tigers have a ton of tradable assets that they will likely move before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Multiple teams have emerged as suitors, including the Dodgers, Yankees, Angels, Mariners and Red Sox.

Here are a few high-profile middle infield prospects, and what the Tigers might have to deal in order to acquire them:

Gavin Lux, 2B/SS, Dodgers

Gavin Lux is a 20-year-old middle infield prospect who has really broke through with the bat this season in High-A. He is currently slashing .315/.394/.519 with nine home runs and seven stolen bases in 66 games. Lux has long showed advanced plate discipline, with an 11.4% walk rate and an 18.2% strikeout rate. Considering he’s about two and a half years younger than the average player at his level, that’s pretty good.

The Dodgers are strongly pursuing Michael Fulmer. Fulmer’s trade value may not match what the Tigers are asking, which could make a deal tough. Lux wouldn’t be a headliner in a Fulmer trade, but would be an excellent secondary piece for the Tigers to acquire. He has the tools to steal 20 bases per season, and his defense has received good marks at second.

Drew Jackson and Errol Robinson are two decent infield prospects in the Dodgers system as well, although both are underperforming this season.

Tyler Wade, 2B, New York Yankees

Wade is a 23-year-old second base prospect who made his big league debut last season and has split the 2018 season between the Yankees and Triple-A Scranton. He’s slashed .129/.198/.194 in 43 big league games, but has a much more palatable .293/.360/.493 line at Triple-A. Plus, in 149 games at that level he has hit nine home runs and stole 35 bases.

Wade has struggled defensively at second in the big leagues, but most scouts have him as a 50-grade fielder with a 55 arm, a nice bonus for a second baseman.

The Yankees could show interest in either Boyd or Liriano, as well as Shane Greene if they feel like upgrading their already stellar bullpen. Wade would be a nice headliner in a trade for any of those guys. Boyd would likely command more, as he is under team control through 2023. But for Liriano or Greene, getting Wade and another prospect or two would be a nice package. With Gleyber Torres, Didi Gregorius and Miguel Andujar all locked in for the Yankees, they can afford to part with Wade. This could be a trade that makes sense for both sides.

The Yankees have one other middle infield prospect, Thairo Estrada, although he is struggling tremendously this season. Still, the 22-year-old could be a gamble the Tigers take a chance on if the Yankees want to move him.

Bryson Brigman, 2B/SS, Seattle Mariners

We discussed a Matthew Boyd to Seattle trade scenario that Sodo Mojo suggested, and here is what we had to say about Bryson Brigman, with updated stats. 

Originally drafted in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft, Brigman struggled with the stick his first few pro seasons. He was beginning to look like a glove-first, light-hitting utility infielder who can handle shortstop (a la Dixon Machado). That led to him being ranked as the No. 26 prospect in a weak Seattle farm system.

However, 2018 has been a different story. Brigman is slashing .317/.389/.410 at High-A, with 12 stolen bases. His .374 BABIP is high, but he also sports a very solid 9.4% walk rate and a low 14.2% strikeout rate. Brigman is starting to look like a big league regular, and the Tigers could certainly consider him as their second baseman of the future.

In conclusion, the Mariners are interested in Matthew Boyd, and Brigman would be a really nice piece to get from them.

Next: Tigers Midseason Awards

Gun to my head, I’m saying that Goodrum and Dawel Lugo are the temporary fill-ins at second base until Kody Clemens is ready to claim the job full-time. However, with plenty of tradable assets, the Detroit Tigers could certainly comb through other team’s farm systems and find their 2B of the future that way.