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Detroit Tigers: 3 Under the Radar Trade Targets

By Kellen Gove |
Tigers general manager Al Avila, pictured here with all the high-level prospects likely to be change teams at this year's deadline.
Tigers general manager Al Avila, pictured here with all the high-level prospects likely to be change teams at this year's deadline.
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Seattle Mariners left fielder Jake Fraley (28) makes a diving catch against the Chicago White Sox during the fifth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Mariners left fielder Jake Fraley (28) makes a diving catch against the Chicago White Sox during the fifth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

There’s no reason the Detroit Tigers can’t make an under-the-radar trade to improve the team.

It’s no secret the Detroit Tigers offense has struggled this year. Despite some recent signs of life, the offense is in the bottom five in the MLB in run production, strikeouts, and OPS.

With the pitching staff showing some improvement across the board, the Tigers need to find some bats to follow suit, as they look to put together a presentable product going into next season. As it’s been well-documented recently, Al Avila’s job likely depends on it.

One strategy that has proven successful for rebuilding teams recently is acquiring talent on the roster fringes of other competing organizations. One look at the rosters of the Rays and Dodgers shows a myriad of talent that is blocked by established veterans on the MLB roster.

We have seen this work for the Texas Rangers a few times over the last few seasons, acquiring both Nate Lowe and Nick Solak, two young players who were facing a roster crunch in Tampa Bay, who are now successful regulars in the heart of the Texas batting order.

This approach is not limited to young players either, as we saw the Giants pluck new leadoff hitter Mike Tauchmann from the depths of the Yankees roster in exchange for a bullpen arm earlier this year.

We know that Al Avila and creativity go together like vampires and garlic, but, as we move into trade deadline season, now is the time for Avila to harness any ounce of creativity he can find within himself and target some undervalued bats who can help fill out the gaps in the Tigers lineup. As far as who he should target specifically, I have a few ideas:

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Taylor Walls (54) turns a double play as Minnesota Twins outfielder Jake Cave (60) slides in the third inning during spring training at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Rays infielder Taylor Walls (54) turns a double play as Minnesota Twins outfielder Jake Cave (60) slides in the third inning during spring training at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Zach Reks (88) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Colorado Rockies during the second inning of a spring training game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Zach Reks (88) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Colorado Rockies during the second inning of a spring training game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers under-the-radar trade target: Zach Reks

Zach Reks is a bit of a deep cut. He’s a 27-year-old masher who is likely viewed more as an organizational depth guy than a future big leaguer. The man who I really hope is referred to as Z-Reks has been in the news recently for his non-profit coffee company that aims to help minor league players.

Z-Reks has yet to receive a big-league opportunity and it definitely has something to do with the loaded Dodgers outfield. While he labors a bit on defense, he can flat out hit, producing an OPS above .900 over the last two seasons.

This year he’s batting .326 with a .404 on-base percentage and .565 slugging for Triple-A Oklahoma City through 12 games and 46 at-bats.

He has improved his walk rate each season, leading to a career-high 12% in 2019. Because of his age and standing in the organization, he likely would not be difficult for the Detroit Tigers to acquire.

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