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Who Should the Detroit Tigers Target in a Potential Matthew Boyd Trade?

By D'Angelo Starks |
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 21: Starting pitcher Matthew Boyd #48 of the Detroit Tigers pitches during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on June 21, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 21: Starting pitcher Matthew Boyd #48 of the Detroit Tigers pitches during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on June 21, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – JUNE 21: Starting pitcher Matthew Boyd #48 of the Detroit Tigers pitches during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on June 21, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – JUNE 21: Starting pitcher Matthew Boyd #48 of the Detroit Tigers pitches during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on June 21, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

The Astros, Red Sox, Dodgers, and Braves are all teams looking to be in the mix for Detroit Tigers starter Matthew Boyd leading into the trade deadline.

Matthew Boyd is likely to be the most valuable trade piece the Detroit Tigers and will pull in a healthy haul. His multiple years of team control, as well as his 12.0 K/9 ratio, make him a highly sought after commodity for several teams looking to bolster their starting rotations not only this year but for years to come. With that being said, let’s take a look at these teams and see who the Tigers should target in a potential trade.

HOUSTON, TX – JULY 07: Kyle Tucker #3 of the Houston Astros singles to right field in the seventh inning for his first major league hit against the Chicago White Sox at Minute Maid Park on July 7, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – JULY 07: Kyle Tucker #3 of the Houston Astros singles to right field in the seventh inning for his first major league hit against the Chicago White Sox at Minute Maid Park on July 7, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Houston Astros

The Detroit Tigers have a history of trading with the Astros, as they famously traded Justin Verlander there two years ago. When making that trade, the Tigers were adamant in getting one of the Astros top prospects, Kyle Tucker, but they were unable to nab him.

Tucker is exactly the type of player that the Tigers need in their system. He is a 6-foot-4 outfielder that has plenty of pop in his bat, something Detroit needs desperately. This season in Triple-A Tucker is slashing .269/.352/.571 and adds 24 HRs and 66 RBI to that slash line.

The Tigers need to insist upon making him the centerpiece of any trade that would send Boyd to the ‘Stros. Tucker could make an impact immediately and if the organization wanted to play it safe then they could count on him being an opening day starter in the outfield next year.

BOSTON, MA – JUNE 23: 2018 first round draft pick Triston Casas #20 of the Boston Red Sox gives a pre-game interview before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park on June 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – JUNE 23: 2018 first round draft pick Triston Casas #20 of the Boston Red Sox gives a pre-game interview before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park on June 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox are run by former Detroit GM Dave Dombrowski, so as Tigers fans we know that means he will be aggressive and will not be holding back on any prospects. This makes the Red Sox intriguing to make trades with, but with that being said the team doesn’t have much top-end talent in its farm system as most of them are on the field in the MLB now.

They do have one player that could, like Tucker make an instant impact. Triston Casas is a power-hitting 19-year-old infielder who can play both corner positions. He has a line of .261/.347/.512 and he has hit 16 HRs and 66 RBI this season in Single-A. He can hit and he hits the ball hard, he’s someone this team simply doesn’t have and if they managed to trade for him fans should be ecstatic.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 25: Gavin Lux #81 of the Los Angeles Dodgers warms up before the MLB spring training game against the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch on February 25, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 25: Gavin Lux #81 of the Los Angeles Dodgers warms up before the MLB spring training game against the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch on February 25, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers consistently boast one of the best farm systems in baseball, and that’s one they have the second-best win percentage in the MLB since 2010. They have plenty to pick from when it comes to potential trades. In the case of the Tigers, they should go after one guy, Gavin Lux.

Lux is a 21-year-old middle infielder who is not a power hitter, like the other guys on this list, but he can still hit. He is a great contact hitter who is hitting .345/.405/.591 between double and Triple-A this season. Lux has shown decent pop at the plate too, hitting 17 HRs and 51 RBI to that impressive batting average. He could play either SS or 2B and the Tigers have an opening at both of those positions that Lux would fill perfectly.

ATLANTA, GA – JULY 7: A general view of SunTrust Park during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins on July 7, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JULY 7: A general view of SunTrust Park during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins on July 7, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Braves

If the Braves come calling, the Tigers should do whatever they can to make a trade with them. According to Bleacher Report, the Braves have the second-best farm system in the league after the 2019 MLB draft. In an ideal world, a Boyd trade would net the Tigers Christian Pache, the number 14 rated prospect in the baseball. However, it is unlikely that the team would be willing to deal the young OF.

If the Detroit Tigers could get Drew Waters in return, it would be still be a win for Detroit. Waters is a switching hitting OF who projects to be a great fielder and at the very least solid offensively. Through 93 games in Double-A this year, he’s hitting .335/.378/.511 as he does have pop as he has nine triple and five HRs this year. Waters would be welcomed with open arms in Detroit and would likely find himself in the big leagues within the next two years.

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The prospect of the team trading Boyd is exciting because of the prospects it could bring back to Detroit. There was not a single pitching prospect on this list because the team needs to turn their focus to their offense that is one of the worst in the league. If any of these prospects end up in the Detroit Tigers farm system, the future gets even more bright.

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