Detroit Tigers: 3 Under the Radar Trade Targets

Detroit Tigers under-the-radar trade target: Taylor Walls

The Tampa Bay Rays picked Taylor Walls in the third round in 2017. An advanced college bat, Walls adjusted quickly to the professional game, immediately contributing in Low-A. As he’s progressed through the Rays system, he has done nothing but hit, producing a WRC+ above 120 each of the last three seasons.

He’s much more hit tool and gap power than home run power and his patient approach allows him to draw walks at an above-average clip. Think Zack Short with a more enticing hit tool.

His glove has always been viewed as a plus and he should be able to play either middle infield position with ease. Fangraphs recently slapped a 50 grade on him and he should be a capable MLB starter before long.

The problem for Walls in Tampa is their logjam of middle infielders highlighted by some dude named Wander Franco. Tampa always has their eye on bullpen arms and there could be a trade fit here at the deadline or in the offseason.

Detroit Tigers under-the-radar trade target: Jake Fraley

The Mariners liked Jake Fraley enough to give him some starts in the outfield earlier this season before he went down with a muscle strain.

Of course, he was simply keeping left field warm for the incumbent Jarred Kelenic. Fraley is due back from the Injured List soon and will likely be sent to AAA with no roster spot available at the MLB level.

With Kelenic now in Seattle and Taylor Trammell and Julio Rodriguez blazing their path through the minors, Fraley is expendable. He’s proven he can hit in the upper minors and he grinded out some impressive at-bats in a small sample size this year. The Detroit Tigers should be interested.