Detroit Tigers: Trading J.D. Martinez May Be Best Move for Present, Future
Aug 7, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) hits a a two run home run in the fourth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Tigers general manager is looking to make the team young and more inexpensive. However, if the club wants to compete, they’ll need some of their veterans. The best move may be to trade J.D. Martinez.
Detroit Tigers will see a different roster next season. While the team fell just short of a playoff berth in 2016, general manager Al Avila is taking a more fiscally-sustainable approach with the Tigers. In other words, the days of hefty contracts are over in the Motor City.
This kind of shift in policy was likely coming at some point, and now it seems Avila will start the process of lowering Detroit’s exorbitant payroll.
Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander are two obvious, potential candidates to be moved thanks to their long-term contracts. However, if Detroit wants to remain a competitive team, the Tigers need to keep hold of the future Hall of Fame players.
After Cabrera and Verlander, Detroit’s highest-paid players include Justin Upton, Victor Martinez, Jordan Zimmermann, Anibal Sanchez, Ian Kinsler, Cameron Maybin, Mike Pelfrey, Francisco Rodriguez, J.D. Martinez and Mark Lowe.
Most of the group are unlikely to be dealt on their own.
Per Spotrac, Zimmermann has a full no-trade clause in his contract through the 2018 season. The same publication states that Upton can come up with an annual list of 20 teams he can block trades to.
What’s more, Victor Martinez’ market is likely limited to American League franchises given his status as a designated hitter.
Kinsler’s contract is extremely team-friendly, but Detroit will also need him if they want to put a competitive product on the field.
Of the remaining players, Detroit will have a difficult time finding takers for the salaries of Sanchez, Pelfrey and Lowe.
Additionally, Maybin and Rodriguez could have their team options declined and hit the free agent market following the conclusion of the World Series.
That leaves J.D. Martinez.
Why should the Tigers trade their slugging outfielder?
Glad you asked.
Sep 29, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) celebrates with designated hitter Miguel Cabrera (24) after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Salary Implications
The Detroit Tigers need to cut payroll ahead of the 2017 season. According to Spotrac, J.D. Martinez will see his salary increase from $6.75 million to $11.75 million for the 2017 season.
Most will likely view that as a bargain—which it is—making it easier for the Tigers to facilitate a trade. Martinez’ salary also makes it easier to include one of the team’s more unmovable salaries (Sanchez, Pelfrey or Lowe) in a potential trade.
Trading Martinez will do wonders for Detroit’s long-term salary.
For one, the outfielder will command a hefty contract when he hits free agency after 2017. Moving Martinez ensures Detroit won’t have to burden the team with another expensive deal.
Second, if the former Astro is dealt, the long-term salary commitment looks much better. Following 2017, Lowe and Pelfrey’s contracts expire, while Detroit can buy out Sanchez.
If Maybin and Rodriguez stayin 2016, their deals will come off the books after 2017 as well.
This is all without mentioning Upton, who can opt out of his contract after the 2017 World Series comes to a close.
All of a sudden, the Tigers are only left with Cabrera, Verlander, Zimmermann and Kinsler on significant deals.
Young core members like Jose Iglesias, Nick Castellanos, Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris and Bruce Rondon will all still be under team control through arbitration at that point.
May 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) receives congratulations from teammates after scoring in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sky-High Trade Value
Middle of the order bats with legitimate 40 home run, 100 RBI potential aren’t easy to find. Because of this, the Detroit Tigers could receive a premium return for Martinez.
In terms of potential suitors, there are a number of fits.
Right off the bat, the Los Angeles Dodgers stand out as a fit.
The Dodgers could lose one of the anchors of the team’s lineup, Justin Turner, to free agency. What’s more, Josh Reddick could also hit the open market.
That leaves some combination of Howie Kendrick, Andrew Toles, Yasiel Puig, Trayce Thompson and Andre Ethier in the outfield corners
For a team that has World Series aspirations, the Dodgers need the upgrade.
Dodgers Stand Out as Potential Trade Partner
Los Angeles also has the young players Detroit will likely seek. Outfielder Trayce Thompson, who posted a higher ISO than Corey Seager, Reddick and Adrian Gonzalez and is controllable through 2021, is a fit.
Other Dodgers who would help the Tigers in both the short and long term include starter Alex Wood (3.47 xFIP in 499.1 Major League frames), reliever Pedro Baez (14.5 swinging strike percentage in 2016, 2.94 career SIERA) and Toles, another outfielder. The rookie posted a .365 wOBA and a 132 wRC+ in 48 games last year.
Wood is the only one of the four aforementioned player not controllable past 2020. The former Atlanta starter is under team control through the 2019 campaign.
Other Potential Suitors
The New York Mets are another fit, especially if one or both of Yoenis Cespedes and Jay Bruce depart.
New York’s fellow National League East tenants in Philadelphia are in need of a veteran bat and match up as a trade partner.
Infielder Cesar Hernandez (3.3 WAR, .371 on-base percentage last year) who is just 26, and former top-100 prospect Nick Williams are two names to watch in regard to the Phillies.
St. Louis and Houston are two other clubs with outfield needs that fit the bill in terms of having young talent to offer.
Detroit could look for some combination of Kevin Siegrist, Kolten Wong and Michael Wacha from the Cardinals.
Meanwhile, Houston’s Alex Bregman, James Hoyt and Jake Marisnick would be fits in the Motor City.
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