1 trade candidate from each MLB team the Detroit Tigers should target

The Detroit Tigers transformation from rebuilding organization to contender is well underway.

Facing high exceptions from the fanbase for the team to swing for the fences in free agency and through trades, the Detroit Tigers front office has already come through. The team has been linked to the likes of megastar shortstop Carlos Correa, while already trading for catcher Tucker Barnhart and signing starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez.

To build a complete team, however, the roster still needs some depth. Here is one trade candidate from each team that will help round out the 2022 Detroit Tigers roster.

Some names will be bigger than others, but most of these will be realistic and theoretically possible. I won’t dive into the exact packages it would possibly take to land these talented names, for I would get long-winded and into the weeds unnecessarily. This is simply looking at players who would be good fits.

There is a large drop-off in free agents once the big names go off the board so either a trade or finding value in a minor league free agent that fits the Tigers’ needs also could help. A team like the Oakland A’s or the Cincinnati Reds, who are looking to offload salary, could be good fits. Teams like the Tampa Bay Rays have decisions to make for their 40-man roster.

Some of these players may also get non-tendered in the near future, making them available via free agency. As for now, let’s look at them as trade candidates.

Detroit Tigers trade ideas: American League East

Baltimore Orioles

Richie Martin

The Tigers are in the market for a big-name shortstop, but if they don’t land a superstar, they need to plug and place different players until one sticks.

Richie Martin is a former first-round draft pick of the A’s who found his way to Baltimore via the Rule 5 draft a few years back. Martin has yet to claim the shortstop position for the O’s, and another change of scenery could do him wonders.

Martin has another three years of arbitration control including 2022.

At the very least he’d add some much-needed competition until someone sticks in the role, whether it be somebody already on the roster or eventually a top shortstop prospect.

Boston Red Sox

Austin Davis

The southpaw has become a bit of a journeyman already in just a few big-league seasons, but left-handed relievers are always a hot commodity.

Davis won’t be the only lefty reliever on this list, but he’s cheaper than the rest. Including 2022, Davis has four years of club control and won’t be requiring a hefty financial commitment for quite some time.

His career 5.50 earned run average isn’t all that enticing, but his strikeout numbers are encouraging enough to let him have a crack at the 2022 Tigers bullpen which needs lefty help.

New York Yankees

Jordan Montgomery

The Tigers are in need of starting pitching depth, even after signing former Red Sox left-hander, Eduardo Rodriguez, to a five-year deal.

Montgomery is one of several Yankees who are in their later arbitration years, and the Bronx Bombers can’t afford to keep all of them and go after big free agents.

Montgomery is a veteran left-hander at this point and could provide Motown with a reliable left-handed starter every fifth day. Montgomery could fill that spot vacated by Matthew Boyd early in the season while Matthew recovers from injury, that is if Boyd is still a member of the team come 2022.

Montgomery started 30 games in 2021 and finished with a 3.83 ERA. He’s set to earn about $4.25 million in 2022, and is controlled through 2023.

Tampa Bay Rays

Pete Fairbanks

The right-handed reliever has found a home in Tampa Bay over the last couple of years, and with four years of club control remaining it will take quite a bit to pry him from Kevin Cash’s squad.

It might be worth it for the Tigers to give up a prospect or two for Fairbanks. Fairbanks has experience closing games and coming in at crucial moments throughout the game whenever needed.

Fairbanks struck out 56 batters in 42 and 2/3 innings this year. He’d add stability to the Tigers ‘pen which greatly needs it.

Toronto Blue Jays

Cavan Biggio

Biggio is one of several young stars along with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette who are sons of former big league all stars playing in Toronto.

While the son of Hall of Fame Astros infielder Craig Biggio is still young and very controllable (through 2025) a change of scenery may do him well.

Biggio would instantly compete for the starting second base job and most likely would have the edge. That is until Spencer Torkelson claims first base and Jonathan Schoop heads back over to second base.

Another year of facing big-league pitching may just be the ticket to Biggio succeeding full time in “The Show.”

I find it unlikely Toronto gives him up for cheap, but with Jordan Groshans and Orelvis Martinez coming up there may be an infield logjam they have to clear out. Another reason the Tigers would benefit from his presence is another reason the Blue Jays may want to hang onto him. Biggio’s versatile and can play all over the diamond.

Detroit Tigers trade ideas: American League Central

Chicago White Sox

Jake Burger

There’s not much of a chance any of these division rival teams will trade with the Tigers at the current moment. Willi Castro did come from the Guardians in 2018, but it’s not likely to happen again with the Tigers now competitive again.

For the sake of the argument though, Burger is an interesting candidate. Burger’s trajectory to the White Sox has been stunted by serious injuries, and he’s currently blocked at third base by Yoan Moncada. While Moncada could play multiple positions, Burger seems locked in as a third baseman.

So why the Tigers? With Candelario in place? Well eventually the Tigers will need a full-time designated hitter, and why not have Burger have a crack at it? The 11th overall pick in the 2017 draft will shine once he gets everyday reps.

Cleveland Guardians

Logan Allen

A once highly touted prospect in the Padres system, Allen went to Cleveland in 2019 as part of a blockbuster three-team trade.

Allen struggled in 2021, but there’s a lot to love in his pedigree.

With the newly named Guardians not in any rush to compete, a talented left-handed hurler is going to be someone they hold onto.

Kansas City Royals

Ryan O’Hearn

I was so close to including O’Hearn in my look at whether or not the Tigers should bring in a first baseman until Spencer Torkelson is ready. I’ll include him here as I think he could be a great bench player and spot starter at first base until the aforementioned top Tigers prospect is ready to claim the position for years to come.

The power-hitting lefty O’Hearn’s plenty affordable in his first arbitration-eligible year estimated to earn about $1.25 million.

If he can truly figure it out at the big league level he’s got 20-30 homer potential.

Minnesota Twins

Taylor Rogers

I know what you’re thinking, there’s NO WAY the Tigers are ever able to spring a deal for one of the Twins’ top relievers.

Rogers will be a free agent after this season and if the Twins fall out of contention early or decide preseason they can maximize their value for the lefty closer/reliever they may decide to do so regardless of who the partner is.

Rogers was a huge trade target towards the trade deadline in 2021, the same season as his first all-star appearance, but a finger injury prevented that from happening. When healthy a bullpen piece like Rogers is incredible to have.

One thing is for sure, Twins fans don’t want to lose him just yet.

Detroit Tigers trade ideas: American League West

Houston Astros

Ryne Stanek

Although the former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher signed with the 2021 American League champions before last season as a free agent, Stanek still has two years of arbitration eligibility through 2023.

The right-handed reliever threw 68.1 innings last season with 83 strikeouts and a 3.42 ERA.

Stanek is a great pickup for a team ready to contend looking for relievers with postseason experience.

Los Angeles Angels

Jack Mayfield

Mayfield is a great bench/reserve infielder for a team who needs to rest their stars here and there.

After being traded to the Angels midseason last year he popped 10 homers in 232 at-bats.

The 31-year-old has already played for three clubs in the A.L. West, so why not give a team in the Central a try?

Oakland A’s

Tony Kemp

The versatile Kemp saw a career-high in playing time in 2021 for the A’s. Kemp can play both the infield and the outfield and had a .800 OPS this past campaign.

Kemp’s another player that can win the second base job in spring training but still, bounce around as needed securing even more playing time.

The former Astro and Cub will probably not steal a ton of bases, but he’s controllable through 2023 and has played for successful organizations.

Seattle Mariners

Mitch Haniger

One of the biggest targets on this list, who wouldn’t benefit from having Mitch Haniger patrol their outfield day in and day out?

The Mariners are competitive again, but they will also have to consider the future of their organization. There’s no guarantee they will recapture their 2021 magic, and Haniger will be sought after by all teams looking to make a splash.

The career 14 WAR star is set to hit free agency after this coming season.

Drafted 38th overall by Milwaukee in 2012, Haniger belted 39 homers and drove in 100 runs last season.

The Tigers seem to be set at outfield, but if Haniger joined the roster it would be an upgrade at every one of Detroit’s outfield positions. The idea would be to lock him up with a multi-year contract to be a cornerstone in Motown for years to come.

Texas Rangers

Dennis Santana

Yes, yes, I know the Rangers probably aren’t going to move the 25-year-old right-hander less than a year after acquiring him, but he’d be a great piece to add to the Tigers bullpen in hopes he can one day potentially step into the rotation.

At one time a heralded Dodgers prospect, Santana can reach the mid-to-high 90s with his fastball with regularity.

After touching the big leagues in several seasons, Santana finally got a real big-league look after arriving in Arlington. Santana pitched to a 3.63 ERA over 39 games for Texas.

Detroit Tigers trade ideas: National League East

Atlanta Braves

Tyler Matzek

Maybe this one is a little bit of recency bias after Matzek dominated the postseason and really put himself on the map to the casual fan.

A dominant lefty out of the ‘pen for the 2021 World Champion Braves, Matzek came back onto the scene in 2020 after a few years out of the majors striking out 43 batters in 29 innings pitched. The former 11th overall pick by Colorado in the 2009 draft followed that up in 2021 with 77 K’s in 63 innings, and a 2.57 ERA.

Matzek could be that dominant left-hander out of the bullpen the Tigers need referencing often in this list already.

Miami Marlins

Lewis Brinson

Brinson has been a top prospect seemingly forever, and to many pundits, the glow has worn off.

There was a period late in the season when Brinson seemed confident and ready to contribute at the Major League Level. The Marlins surely want to see what Brinson has to offer if the production he ended 2021 with carries over to ’22.

There are some who feel Brinson may not get that chance with the Fish, and the Tigers could potentially get him at an affordable price. If so, Brinson should be added to the center-field competition for Detroit going forward.

I was tempted to put one of the Marlins’ young pitching phenoms in this spot, but I snapped out of it. “Snapper’d” out of it? Fish puns? No? Ok then!

New York Mets

Jeff McNeil

Have you noticed a theme here? I love versatile players. McNeil isn’t the best fielder out there, just ask Francisco Lindor. The right-handed fielding, left-handed hitting former all-star is serviceable anywhere he plays in the field, and when his bat is cooking there’s no doubt he’s an everyday major leaguer.

It’s that Lindor incident specifically that makes me think his days in Queens are numbered, and why not have him be the guy here in Detroit. He’s a blue-collar player who would be beloved by the Michigan faithful.

Philadelphia Phillies

Ranger Suarez

There’s no chance the competitive Philadelphia Phillies are going to trade a pitcher who can start, relieve, do whatever is asked, and had a 5.8 WAR in 2021.

It was a real coming-out party for the southpaw, who had a 1.36 ERA in 106 innings pitched.

I’ll quit while I’m ahead, he’ll be a Phillie in 2022. I threw him on this list to put the idea of Suarez coming to the Motor City out there in the universe. Similar to how Dave Bautista got his dream buddy cop movie with Jason Momoa off the ground.

Washington Nationals

Josh Bell

Another name I could’ve thrown out there in my first base coverage, Bell is set to be a free agent after 2022.

The Tigers could trade for Bell, have Torkelson’s service time clock tick until they feel like they want to bring him up, and see if Bell can provide them trade bait or stick around and DH depending on how Miguel Cabrera performs.

It would be around a $9 million dollar commitment in 2022.

If Bell is ripping the cover off the ball, he may supplant Cabrera full time. It’s an interesting idea at the very least. Bell did blast 27 homers in 2022. That power would be great sandwiched between Torkelson and Candelario for years to come.

Detroit Tigers trade ideas: National League Central

Chicago Cubs

Ian Happ

Happ has had a long road in the big leagues so far, some successes and some failures. I would love to add him to that centerfielder mix and have that lefty power bat fill in some holes throughout the lineup.

The podcast partner of the Tigers’ own Zack Short hit 25 homers last year and is another guy who can play almost anywhere you ask him to.

Happ would be an expensive addition at around $8 million when you factor in his low batting average.

If the Cubs decide to cut bait, the Tigers could try and get the former first-rounder at a good price point. If not, a trade may be relatively cheap to pull him and that salary from the Cubs.

Cincinnati Reds

Luis Castillo

Luis Castillo has been on the precipice of greatness for a few years now, and to be honest, he’s there. He’s great. Great players have blips. 75 walks last year was definitely a blip for the man who will be 29 years old in 2022.

Castillo has also been pitching in Great American Ballpark, which is a hitter’s paradise. Put the right-hander in Comerica Park and let him ease into his comfort zone again.

Even with 75 walks and a 1.36 WHIP, Castillo managed to keep his ERA under 4, and struck out 192 hitters in 187.2 innings pitched. Bringing the right-hander to Detroit would also now reunite him with his old battery mate Barnhart.

A workhorse with magnificent “stuff”, Castillo will be a free agent after 2023. It would take a haul to get it done, but like someone who uses L’Oreal, he’s worth it.

Milwaukee Brewers

Devin Williams

Josh Hader’s name has been in the rumor mill for a while even as the Brewers continue to succeed. If Hader signs a long-term extension with the Brewers that opens up Williams to be a trade candidate himself.

It would take quite a package to pull the super affordable Williams from Milwaukee. Williams still has four years of control, three of which will be through arbitration.

Williams had a down year in 2021 after winning the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2020, but he’s still got an electric arm and would be a great addition to Tigers pitching coach Chris Fetter’s relief corps.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Bryan Reynolds

Reynolds is the bell of the Winter Meetings ball. The Buccos held onto the outfielder rather than send him to another team as they did with Adam Frazier in 2021. An extension is always possible in the Steel City, but knowing the Pirates’ history one would make an educated guess to predict his departure.

Numerous teams have been linked to Reynolds, so why not add the Tigers to the mix? He could take over the starting center field job on day one, or a corner spot if desired.

Reynolds will require a big package of prospects or young major league-ready talent. Reynolds is controllable through the next four seasons.

St. Louis Cardinals

Tommy Edman

The Cardinals love Edman and for good reason. Edman’s super durable and versatile. How durable? Edman led the National League in at-bats in 2021 with 641!

Edman even took home the 2021 National League Gold Glove at second base.

Another player who would probably require a top fifteen prospect to get a deal done, if not more, Edman would be a bat who could lead off for a Tigers team that can have Robbie Grossman slide down in the order.

Another four years of control through his age 30 season are what the team would also be acquired in a deal for Edman.