Detroit Tigers trade deadline predictions for the 2017 season
By Tim Boyle
The Detroit Tigers trade deadline decisions this summer will shape the franchise’s future. They haven’t officially gone into sell mode, but that can change once the trading season officially begins.
Recently, the Tigers released closer Francisco Rodriguez. K-Rod was underperforming and a change was needed in the ninth inning. It wasn’t because they were hoping another reliever could help them win games as much as it was to showcase the talents of Justin Wilson before they unload him.
We should expect to see some really big trades from the Tigers this season. Just about everyone will be for sale with only a few exceptions—namely Michael Fulmer, Nick Castellanos, and other affordable younger players.
For the Tigers, it’s important they do what they can to revamp a dying franchise. This means moving on from the old and getting some new blood in the system. Can they do it? If these predictions become true, they may do so.
J.D. Martinez is traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers
There aren’t too many perfect landing spots for right fielder J.D. Martinez. The best is by far the Los Angeles Dodgers. They aren’t getting the desired production out of Yasiel Puig which could mean renting Martinez for the rest of 2017.
The benefit of a deal between the Dodgers and Tigers is each has what the other wants. Detroit has the slugger to save Los Angeles from using Puig everyday. Meanwhile, the Dodgers have several notable outfield prospects the Tigers could use to fill the void in center field. Alex Verdugo is one of the most desirable trade chips we could see move from the Dodgers organization to the Tigers’. It’s all a matter of the Dodgers needing Martinez bad enough and feeling confident they can move on from Verdugo.
Trading Martinez is a top priority as he is in the last year of his contract. Surely, someone will take him. Everyone’s best guess is Los Angeles.