Detroit Tigers should try trading Leonys Martin

Detroit Tigers center fielder Leonys Martin is having a bounce-back season and could be an attractive trade chip. The Tigers also have options to replace him in center field.

Over the offseason, the Detroit Tigers signed Leonys Martin to a one-year deal. At the time, he was coming off of a very rough 2017 campaign, hitting just .172/.232/.281 with three home runs over 49 games with the Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs.

So far this season, Martin has been showing that last season was simply a down year. He has looked a lot more like the player he was earlier on in his career with the Texas Rangers and his first season with the Mariners in 2016.

Through 68 games, Martin is slashing .257/.329/.438 (107 OPS+) with nine home runs and 28 RBI. He is actually having one of his best overall offensive seasons to date.

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Martin is also valuable in the field. He currently has a 14.0 UZR/150 in center field this season. While he may not be on pace to steel 30-plus bases as he did in back-to-back seasons with the Rangers in 2013 and 2014, Martin still has good speed as well. He has stolen seven bases in 10 attempts so far this year.

As a player who can bring some power, speed and good defense to the table, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Tigers receive at least some interest in Martin.

The Tigers have now lost nine games in a row, and it is beginning to look like they could very well be sellers at the trade deadline next month.

Replacements available

The Tigers have options to replace Martin in center field as well. Further on down the road, someone like Daz Cameron could take over in center field. Right now, however, the most obvious solution might involve moving JaCoby Jones back to center.

With the addition of Martin, Jones has seen more time in left field this season, but he still has the skill set to be a solid major league center fielder. Jones has recently begun to struggle at the plate again, but his offense is still improved from last year.

Moving Jones to center could create an opportunity for other players to earn a corner outfield spot as well. If right fielder Nicholas Castellanos is traded before the start of next season, the Tigers could potentially have a lot of competition on the corners in Christin Stewart, Mike Gerber, Mikie Mahtook and Victor Reyes.

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Martin has been doing a great job for the Detroit Tigers over the first three months of the season, and it has been fun to see him get back to his old form. However, if the Tigers can make a deal that will make sense for them and their future, they shouldn’t hesitate to do it.