Detroit Tigers: Exploring Jordan Zimmermann Trade Scenarios

The Detroit Tigers have 16 days left to trade veteran assets before the waiver trade deadline passes. Could Jordan Zimmermann still be dealt?

Detroit Tigers General Manager Al Avila has made it clear he is trying to trade more veteran pieces in exchange for both salary cap relief and prospects. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann is an ideal trade candidate, if the team can negotiate a way to deal with the rest of his massive salary – and Zimmermann’s full no trade clause.

Presently, Zimmermann is owed roughly $6.2 million just for the rest of this season. He’s owed a staggering $50 million over the next two seasons as well, the last of his ill-fated five-year, $110 million dollar back loaded contract.

It’s crystal clear that no team is going to take on Zimmermann’s salary without Detroit pitching in a fair amount. After all, Zimmermann’s 3.98 ERA across 16 starts is good but not elite – and is considerably better than his last two seasons.

Still, there are some pitching needy teams that could consider making a trade for Zimmermann, assuming the Tigers can take on some of the salary. Or, as was the case roughly one year ago, the Tigers could let a team take on the majority of the salary in exchange for little return like they did with Justin Upton and the Angels. Of course, Zimmermann is not nearly as valuable as Upton, so teams are much less likely to offer a deal like that.

Here are a few teams that need pitching that the Tigers (and Zimmermann) may be able to strike a deal with.