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

The Detroit Tigers entertain the New York Yankees this Memorial Day weekend after a series of games in the AL Central. These two teams have had not only a recent post-season history against each other but an extensive trade history/rumors that goes back to 30 years ago.

A refresher on the Detroit Tigers & New York Yankees trade history

1. December 9, 2015

Detroit Tigers acquired Justin Wilson

Yankees acquired

Luis Cessa

Chad Green

2. December 5th, 2014

Detroit Tigers acquired:

Shane Greene in a three-way deal to Arizona from the Yankees

3. December 9th, 2009

Detroit Tigers acquired:

Phil Coke, Austin Jackson, Ian Kennedy (flipped to Arizona with Edwin Jackson)

Yankees acquired:

Curtis Granderson

4. November 10th, 2006

Detroit Tigers acquired:

Gary Sheffield

Yankees acquired:

Anthony Clagget

Humberto Sanchez

Kevin Whelan

Then, there was the Matthew Boyd for Gleyber Torres rumor that went around a few seasons back. If you go back even further, on July 31, 1996, the Tigers traded Cecil Fielder for a pitching prospect named Matt Drews, who never pitched for Detroit and outfielder Ruben Sierra.

Detroit Tigers fans may not want to make any trades

Every year, there is a contingency of Tigers fans who want Detroit to stay pat at the trade deadline. But if you look at what our friends over at Yanks Go Yard proposed, what they suggested actually makes sense.

The Tigers are still in rebuilding, no matter what way you try to look at it. Detroit needs a long-term solution at shortstop, (yes, they are projected to draft one but there are no guarantees that will work) second base, outfield, first base, and even in the starting rotation outside of Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal.  The depth drops off after Triple-A with Erie stacked with minor league free agents in their rotation.

Some of these long-term solutions may lie on the Yankees 40-man roster and a few players on their farm system so let’s take a look.  The goal is to keep the ideas in some sort of balance of reality and perhaps wishful thinking that General Manager Al Avila and his staff can execute a trade that could bring back an impactful return right away.

3 Yankee trade targets to keep an eye on this series & beyond

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.