Detroit Tigers Trade of the Day: Jose Iglesias to the Rockies

The Detroit Tigers still have trades to be made this season. We will post one potential trade per day until the August 31 deadline.

The Detroit Tigers have until August 31 to trade their players on expiring contracts. Thus far three players; Jose Iglesias, Francisco Liriano and Jordan Zimmermann, have passed through waivers. That means they are eligible to be dealt to any team.

With five days remaining until the deadline, we will be writing up a potential trade daily. So far we have looked at a potential deal to send Jose Iglesias to the Cardinals, a deal sending Francisco Liriano to the Mariners, and a trade sending Jordan Zimmermann to the Cubs.

We are going to circle back to Iglesias, who is probably Detroit’s most tradable asset. And another contending team is running thin on infield depth, and could use his services.

The Detroit Tigers send Jose Iglesias and $1M to the Colorado Rockies for OF Daniel Montano

Why the Rockies will do it

Colorado’s depth chart currently lists Trevor Story as their only shortstop. They recently sent prospect Garrett Hampson back to Triple-A, so it’s possible they are content with their limited infield depth. D.J. Lemahieu is their second baseman, and rookie Ryan McMahon is listed as the backup at both third and second.

However, Iglesias would give them a true backup shortstop who is capable of playing both second and third. They would need to clear a roster spot, which might be a problem since they were content to jettison Hampson. If they do decide they want an extra infielder, Iglesias would be a perfect fit.

Why the Tigers will do it

The Tigers will lose Jose Iglesias after the season, so it makes sense for them to try to trade him now. He is having one of his best offensive seasons, and even though his value to other teams is primarily as a utility infielder, he could still fetch the Tigers a nice prospect or two – especially if they are able to eat some of the money remaining on his contract.

Daniel Montano is a 19-year-old outfielder who the Rockies signed for $2 million back when he was 15 years old. He has remained in rookie ball for the last few seasons, and is posting a .278/.333/.434 line with three home runs and eight steals in 51 games this year.

Scouts have labeled him an advanced hitter for his age, with developing gap power. He has played a lot of center field, but looks like a big league left fielder thanks to fringey arm strength. The Tigers could add him to their growing collection of toolsy outfielders.

In a system flush with pitching and a few years away from contending, the Tigers could afford to let Montano develop on his own time. If he can gain some more raw power, he could be a starting left fielder down the line. If not, he’s a speedy fourth outfielder. Patience would be key, but for one month of Jose Iglesias, getting Montano would be a nice deal.

The market for infielders never really developed much during July, but a few teams could use some extra depth as they gear up for the stretch run. That could make Iglesias a popular trade target for the Detroit Tigers to shop over the next week or so.