Detroit Tigers: Leonys Martin should end up in Cleveland

With less than 24 hours until the trade deadline, the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians should connect on a trade involving center fielder Leonys Martin.

Detroit Tigers’ fans are ready to trade their veteran assets to try to acquire future talent. One such asset, center fielder Leonys Martin, has not had his name mentioned in rumors as often as expected. Part of that is due to Martin’s injury, which kept him on the shelf in July while many teams were scouting players to acquire.

However, the primary problem is there just aren’t that many playoff-bound teams who need outfield help. We profiled a few potential matches for Martin earlier in the month, but there is not a huge need for outfielders.

There is one team who could use some help in the outfield, and that would be Detroit’s AL Central foe. While it used to be so rare for teams to swap players within their own division, the Tigers and Indians are poised to make a small trade deadline deal if they can work something out.

Cleveland’s Outfield Woes

Cleveland has gotten very little production from all of their outfielders not named Michael Brantley. A season-ending injury to Bradley Zimmer further complicated things. Injuries to Tyler Naquin and Lonnie Chisenhall made the need for an outfielder virtually dire.

The team is particularly interested in acquiring someone who can play center field, which is why Martin represents one of the few good options for Cleveland. It will be hard to see Martin, who has become somewhat of a fan favorite, star in Cleveland. However, it is in Detroit’s best interest to at least shop Martin around and see if they can’t get an interesting prospect or two in return.

Of course, Martin does have a year of arbitration remaining, so if Detroit doesn’t trade him they can keep him around next season. His cost will be fairly substantial, but it may behoove Detroit to hold onto him while their young outfield prospects (Daz Cameron, Parker Meadows, etc.) continue to marinate on the farm.

A Potential Return

Martin is having a solid season, slashing .251/.321/.409 with nine home runs and seven steals in 78 games. Still, he is not going to command an elite prospect. Cleveland has a decent farm system, and Detroit could mine the lower levels and likely find a player or two worth investing in. Here are a few to keep in mind:

Marcos Gonzalez – SS

Gonzalez is an 18-year-old shortstop whom the Indians signed as an international free agent two years ago. He has a plus hit tool from the right side, with a line drive approach that could produce some real power as he grows. He has the tools to stick at short, which would make him a very attractive prospect to the Tigers. Think Jose King.

Quentin Holmes – OF

Holmes is a 19-year-old outfielder, and one of the fastest players in the minor leagues. He has what many scouts are calling pure 80-grade speed, but struck out an egregious 36.1% of the time in rookie ball last year. He’d be a dart-throw for the Tigers, but if he reaches his potential he could be a top of the order base-stealing threat.

Mitch Longo – OF

Longo, 23, swings from the left side and has demonstrated plus speed and burgeoning power since being selected in the 14th round in 2016. He has the arm and speed to play right field, but will need to work on his plate discipline if he wants to become a big league regular.

Tyler Olson – LHP

At 28 years old and with 54 big league innings under his belt, Olson is no longer a prospect. However, the LOOGY has lost his role in Cleveland thanks to the Brad Hand trade. And Detroit could use a solid left-handed reliever. Olson threw 20 scoreless innings last season, with a 8.10 K/9. His 7.50 ERA this season is obviously a concern, but he does boast a strong 12.00 K/9 and a much more palatable 3.25 SIERA. Olson for Martin would be a unique trade, but one that could help Detroit this season and down the road, as Olson is under team control through 2023.

Ultimately, the Detroit Tigers are not in a position where they need to deal Martin. However, there are not many other outfielders on the market, so if Detroit is able to get someone like Cleveland to pay for him, it makes sense to move him and look ahead to the future.