Jonathan Schoop, 2B
Jonathan Schoop is one of the best trade chips currently in the Tigers organization. He is on a cheap contract (1 year, $4.5 million), provides good pop (27 home run average over 162 games), and is able to play first base, second base, and shortstop. Schoop would be a solid addition for a team looking to make a push to the playoffs. He could provide a bit of power off the bench and some versatility in the middle infield and at first. Schoop is a solid insurance policy at a cheap rate.
Adding to Schoop’s value is his ability to take on a new position and play it at a major league level. For the first time, Schoop has played first base. In fact, he has made the majority of his starts at first base (34 starts) instead of his regular middle infield positions (18 starts at second base).
Jonathan Schoop went TOP DECK 😮 pic.twitter.com/cpsTgCnEpI
— ESPN (@espn) May 2, 2019
His return may not be much and to maximize the return, Avila may need to get creative and add in some other pieces to ensure he is getting a long-term piece back for the current rebuild. It would be devoid of reason to trade Schoop without getting a piece back that could help for a year or two to come. Avila may be looking for a mid-round relief pitcher with a high ceiling in exchange for Schoop.
Something to keep an eye on is Schoop’s left hand soreness. The left hand soreness kept him out of Sunday’s game after being hit by a pitch on Saturday. It was, most likely, just an extra day off for Schoop to rehab the hand before placing him back at first base.