Detroit Tigers: Ideal Trade Partners for J.D. Martinez

Sep 26, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) rounds third base after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez remains one of the team’s best trade chips as the offseason makes its way towards January. Here are Detroit’s best trade partners should they move Martinez.

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila hasn’t made too many significant moves this offseason.

Center fielder Cameron Maybin was dealt to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for pitching prospect Victor Alcantara. Elsewhere, reliever Daniel Stumpf was selected in the Rule 5 draft.

However, outside of those two moves and a slew of minor league signings, the Tigers have remained quite this offseason.

Of course, things can always change rather quickly, but Detroit still employs the likes of J.D. Martinez, Ian Kinsler and Francisco Rodriguez.

Martinez’ inclusion on the list is perhaps the most surprising.

The slugging outfielder is coming off an excellent offensive season (142 wRC+, .228 ISO), but has just one year left on his contract.

According to Spotrac, Martinez will earn $11.75 million next season. Given his outstanding production, that number is a relative bargain.

Because of this, the former Astro is perhaps Avila’s best trade chip.

In a tweet on Saturday, ESPN writer Jerry Crasnick tweeted, “#Tigers continue to field calls on J.D. Martinez, but they want young, controllable talent in return. It’s been a challenge to find a fit.”

Here are the best trade fits for Detroit Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez.

May 25, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) celebrates with second baseman Cesar Hernandez (16) and shortstop Freddy Galvis (13) after the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Phillies win 8-5. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Team: Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies’ rebuilding efforts seem to be paying off. After trading away the likes of Cole Hamels, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Ken Giles, Carlos Ruiz and Johnathan Papelbon, the team is looking to contend again.

Philadelphia has acted somewhat like a contender this offseason.

The team added Howie Kendrick and Pat Neshek in a trade with the Dodgers and Phillies respectively. They also signed Joaquin Benoit to further bolster the club’s bullpen.

As of now, the team’s lack of true middle-of-the-order bat prevents them from being a legitimate contender. Maikel Franco, Tommy Joseph and Cameron Rupp have all displayed pop, but none are quite at the level J.D. Martinez is.

Detroit’s slugger would be a perfect fit in Philadelphia as the team’s starting right fielder. Last season, Peter Bourjos turned in a 79 wRC+ and a .389 slugging percentage. Martinez would provide the lineup anchor that Philadelphia has missed.

Potential Trade Fits for the Detroit Tigers

Cesar Hernandez

Controllable through 2020, Hernandez is the perfect fit for the Detroit Tigers. Defensively versatile and an on-base machine, the 26-year-old logged a 4.4 WAR while also leading the league with 11 triples.

All told, the four-year veteran contributed 67 runs scored, 39 RBI, 17 stolen bases, 14 doubles, 11 triples and six home runs. He batted .294 with a .371 on-base percentage.

Able to play second base, third base, shortstop and center field, the Phillies standout could fill a number of needs for Detroit.

The Tigers could use him to replace Jose Iglesias or Ian Kinsler should either be traded. Hernandez could also step in as a temporary solution in center field until JaCoby Jones is ready.

What’s more, Hernandez could serve as Kinsler’s long-term successor at second base.

Jake Thompson

A starting pitcher who was originally drafted by the Detroit Tigers back in 2012, Thompson reached the Major Leagues for the first time in 2016.

The former Erie SeaWolves standout showed his upside in Triple-A, where he compiled an 11-5 record and a 2.50 ERA, before struggling with the Phillies.

Despite pitching to a 5.70 ERA in 10 starts, the former top prospect is controllable and has the upside to pitch out of a rotation for years to come.

Nick Williams

A power-hitting center fielder with plus speed, Williams has all the makings of an impact player.

In 125 games for Philadelphia’s Triple-A affiliate, the former Texas farmhand collected 78 runs scored, 64 RBI, 33 doubles, 13 home runs, six triples and six stolen bases.

Alberto Tirado

Armed with an intriguing combination of a blazing fastball and a promising slider, Tirado was a strikeout machine last season.

The right-hander struck out 102 batters in just 64.2 innings pitched. While those innings came in the low minors, it is hard to ignore Tirado’s ability to miss bats.

Sixto Sanchez

Another intriguing arm in the low minors, Sanchez posted a sparkling 0.50 ERA in 54 innings of work in the Gulf Coast League last year.

In addition to the stellar ERA numbers, Sanchez features a blistering fastball. He likely wouldn’t be the centerpiece of any potential Martinez deal, but he certainly has upside.

June 16, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Trayce Thompson (21) hits a three run home run in the third inning against Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

With a roster that headlined by the likes of Clayton Kershaw, Corey Seager, Kenley Jansen and Joc Pederson, the Dodgers are in an excellent position to contend for the World Series.

However, one area where they could use an upgrade is in the outfield corners.

Los Angeles used 13 different outfielders other than Pederson last season.

While Andrew Toles was a bright spot, the team will head in to 2017 with some combination of Andre Ethier (64 wRC+ in only 16 games played), Yasiel Puig (.323 on-base percentage), Scott Van Slyke (.088 ISO) and Trayce Thompson (25.2 strikeout percentage) filling the other outfield spots.

In other words, Martinez is a perfect fit.

Potential Trade Fits for the Detroit Tigers

Cody Bellinger

One of the better hitting prospects in the minors, Bellinger collected 71 RBI, 44 extra-bases and 60 walks in only 117 minor league games.

That stint included mashing three home runs in his first three Triple-A contests.

Blocked by Adrian Gonzalez in Los Angeles, Bellinger has the upside to be a franchise cornerstone. What’s more, the first baseman could contribute in the Majors as early as next season.

Gavin Lux

Outside of Dixon Machado, the Tigers don’t have many long-term options should Jose Iglesias eventually depart.

As it stands, A.J. Simcox may be one of the best of the bunch, but he recently posted just a .298 on-base percentage for Lakeland last season. Adding Lux, an intriguing all-around shortstop, would give the team a shortstop for the future.

Lux was taken with the 20th-overall pick in 2016 and recently completed his first professional season.

In just 56 games played the 19-year-old compiled 41 runs scored, 28 walks, 21 RBI, 13 doubles, five triples and a pair of stolen bases.

Trayce Thompson

Thompson finished ahead of the likes of Gonzalez, Seager and Puig in ISO among all Dodgers hitters last season. Controllable through 2021, the outfielder would serve as either Martinez or Upton’s long-term successor in the Motor City.

Over the span of 80 games, the former Chicago White Sox player collected 32 RBI, 31 runs scored, 13 home runs, 11 doubles and five stolen bases.

Alex Wood

A former standout in Atlanta’ rotation, Wood is buried on the depth chart in Los Angeles. Kershaw, Rich Hill, Kenta Maeda, Julio Urias, Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy, Jose De Leon and Hyun-Jin Ryu are all candidates to start ahead of the 25-year-old.

Despite not being a lock for the Dodgers’ rotation, Wood is still a quality pitcher.

In 499.1 innings, the left-hander owns a 3.32 FIP and a 3.61 SIERA. Like many on this list, Wood is controllable for the foreseeable future—or more specifically, 2020.

Sep 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Mychal Givens (60) pitches in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Team: Baltimore Orioles

Should the Baltimore Orioles fail to retain Mark Trumbo, they’ll be in need of a new outfield bat, particularly one that can hit in the heart of a lineup.

The O’s current right field options currently include the likes of Joey Rickard (-0.7 WAR, 86 wRC+) and Aneury Tavarez, who has played just 11 games above Double-A.

Martinez would be the perfect replacement for Trumbo.

While Baltimore doesn’t possess the Major League’s best farm system, the franchise still possess plenty of talent that could potentially fit in Detroit.

Potential Trade Fits for the Detroit Tigers

Brad Brach

Simply put, Brach is one of baseball’s best setup relievers.

The pitcher, who is controllable through 2018, logged a 1.6 WAR in 79 innings of relief. What’s more, he also struck out 10.48 batters per nine innings while also turning in a stellar 2.99 SIERA.

In somewhat uncommon news, Brach accumulated 10 wins in 2016 despite never starting a game. He also tacked on two saves in 71 outings.

Brach would immediately become Francisco Rodriguez’ top setup man. In this scenario, if Bruce Rondon, Justin Wilson, Shane Greene and Joe Jimenez pitch to the best of their abilities, Detroit could have one of the league’s best bullpens.

Mychal Givens

Another one of Baltimore’s standout setup relievers, Givens turned in an excellent 2016 campaign.

The 26-year-old turned in a 3.13 ERA, a 3.31 FIP, a 3.78 xFIP and a 3.32 SIERA while striking out 11.57 batters per nine innings.

Like Brach, Givens won an uncommon amount of games (eight) for a reliever. However, unlike Brach, the former second-round pick is controllable for more than just two seasons.

Givens isn’t even arbitration eligible until after 2018. He isn’t slated to hit free agency until the completion of the 2021 World Series.

Cody Sedlock

A first-round pick of the Orioles in the 2016 draft, Sedlock has the look of a future starter with a four-pitch repertoire.

That four-pitch repertoire helped him hold batters to a .158 batting average and a 1.07 WHIP in his first nine starts in the New York Penn League.

Detroit has plenty of promising young starters in the minors, but it never hurts to have too much depth.

Tanner Scott

A project for the future, Scott posted a 4.76 ERA in 64.1 relief innings last season. However, it is hard to ignore the reliever’s triple-digit fastball.

Despite the high ERA, the left-hander managed to strike out 81 batters last season.

Ubaldo Jimenez

Jimenez obviously wouldn’t be the only return in any potential J.D. Martinez trade, but it is worth nothing that the reliever is scheduled to make $13.5 million next season (per Sportac).

The longtime Colorado starter struggled, posting a 5.44 ERA and a 4.64 xFIP. However, he’s found success in the past. As part of a larger deal, Jimenez could make sense as a change-of-scenery candidate.

In fact, Detroit has two change-of-scenery candidates of the team’s own in Mike Pelfrey and Mark Lowe.

Per Spotrac, Pelfrey and Lowe are slated to make a combined $13.5 million in 2017.

All three players are on expiring contracts.