Tigers Rumors: Exploring Michael Fulmer Trade Scenarios

4 of 4

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 25: Scott Kingery #4 of the Philadelphia Phillies turns a double play as Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees slides into second base in the sixth inning during a game at Citizens Bank Park on June 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Yankees won 4-2. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

Presently, the Phillies are one game behind the Braves for first place in the NL East. They had been discussed as surprise contenders before the season, and that appears to be the case this year. If they wanted to go all-in, they have enough interesting young pieces that they could maybe get a deal done for Fulmer.

Scott Kingery is a middle infield prospect who had 26 home runs and 29 stolen bases last season between Double-A and Triple-A. He is hitting just .224 in the show this year, but he looks like a potential 15/20 HR/SB guy in the future, and can hold his own defensively at second base.

If Kingery were packaged alongside No. 1 prospect Sixto Sanchez and a few other prospects, the Tigers might consider pulling the trigger.

Sanchez checked in as the No. 23 prospect in all of baseball this season. He’s made eight starts at High-A this year, pitching to a 2.51 ERA with an 8.68 K/9 and a 2.12 BB/9. Not bad for a 19-year-old. Sanchez would immediately become Detroit’s No. 1 prospect, and would someday lead a rotation alongside Casey Mize, Alex Faedo, Matt Manning and Beau Burrows.

If the Tigers could pry Kingery, Sanchez and maybe a mid-level prospect from the Phillies, this could work. Spencer Howard is Philadelphia’s No. 19 ranked prospect. He has an 11.3 K/9 in 14 starts with Single-A, and has shown a four-pitch mix that could make him a big league starter. If not, his velocity will play up well in a relief role.

I’d hardly call this trade plausible however, as the Phillies don’t want to move their No. 1 prospect as well as a big league position player for Fulmer, not while he’s struggling. It could work, but I don’t see the Phillies pulling the trigger.

Next: Exploring Matthew Boyd Trade Scenarios

The fact is, a Fulmer trade seems unlikely this season. That’s a good thing, as it means Detroit gets to keep their ace for a while longer. If he has a super strong first half next season, or the season after that, perhaps they’ll consider dealing him then. It gives the team a chance to evaluate what their needs will be to field the most competitive team that they can in 2022 or so.

Home/Detroit Tigers Rumors

Detroit Tigers: Exploring Michael Fulmer Trade Scenarios

By Andy Patton | Jul 6, 2018