Detroit Tigers: 3 Yankee trade targets to keep an eye on this series

3.Outfielder Estevan Florial

Florial was sent back down after the doubleheader yesterday to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as the outfield situation in New York has been destroyed by injuries. He went 1-for-3 in his one-game appearance.  He comes in as the number 10 prospect in the Yankees system according to MLB Pipeline. 

He has not gotten off to a good start in between spending time between Double-A and Triple-A this season, putting up a slash line of .211/.300/.535 with a walk rate around 10% and a strikeout rate of 23%. but he has six home runs so far in just 18 games above the High-A level so far.

Manager Aaron Boone said he does need more experience and that is a good point so why not in Detroit? He is a left-handed bat with speed and strength and can play centerfield, where the Tigers do have Riley Greene waiting in the wings but Greene could be placed in either corner spot. Florial also has the same range to play any outfield position.

Does the strikeout rate alarm you at first glance? It does but the walk rate has been near 10% so that should play out find if he is hitting for power and providing speed.

An outfield of Akil Baddoo, Riley Greene, and Estevan Florial does not sound too bad at all for the rest of the summer in 2021 or  2022, should the Tigers decide to trade Robbie Grossman.

Plus, if the Tigers are not going to spend money, with Florial, you have someone under club control with tremendous upside.

2. RHP Luis Gil

Gil is currently pitching in Double-A and has been very effective. In 21.1 innings pitched so far in 2021, he has 36 strikeouts, seven walks, and allowed just one home run.  He primary throws a power slider, fastball, and has a decent changeup but according to FanGraphs’ Eric Longehagen, it lacks consistency.

The Yankees acquired him via Minnesota for Jake Cave in a trade when New York put Cave on waivers so it has been a lottery ticket that has paid off well so far. The Yankees are good at identifying talent among other organizations (See Chad Green as a good example)

He does carry a reliever risk since he does not throw a third pitch effectively but he can hit 99-100 based on his low-effort, quick release.  He generates swings and misses and for the Tigers, having a right-handed pitcher in the system can generate that either as a starter or a reliever for depth would be huge for Detroit.

This is an arm that could help out Detroit soon based on the current instruction the Tigers have on staff with Dan Hubbs and pitching coach Chris Fetter. To me at least, if the Yankees and again a big IF, are willing to trade Gil, I think he would be a great fit in Detroit.

1.Albert Abreu

Of the three suggestions from the Yankees 40-man roster, there is a good chance Tigers fans will see him this weekend as he was just recalled from Triple-A.

He is a career starter in the minor leagues, making his debut this season out of the bullpen last season. He was in the Astros system before coming over in the Brian McCann deal back in 2016.

He was starting in the Dominican Winter League for the Tigres Del Licey so he has the ability to be a swingman with a fastball, slider, and a changeup mix but looks like a curve here in this start over the winter.

The biggest issue has been command as so far in five innings of work in 2021, he has yielded four walks but he has seven strikeouts while giving up just a run so far. He may be more of a project than a ready-made solution but the Yankees may be enticed to give up Abreu for a starter like Matthew Boyd or Jose Urena.

Since the theme seems to be in the front office that they want low-cost talent, Abreu would be just that with upside, similar to Gil.

Reality

All three players would look great in a Tigers uniform but the chances the Yankees would give up the first two may not be likely but prospects are currently and New York fans want a winner. The expectation is to win World Series every year and based on how they are developing talent with a deep farm system, who knows, they make an offer.

Yanks Go Yard gave their three trade targets of Robbie Grossman, Nomar Mazara, and Harold Castro. I think it’s safe to say Tigers fans are willing to give those up for any of these players mentioned above.