The Detroit Tigers add Sanchez, Infante

The first deal of the trade deadline season for the Detroit Tigers is done. We say first because there is sure to be at least one more and if not a trade someone else from this roster will have to go. As it stands the Tigers have 24 men on the active roster, and one must assume both players acquired will be added to the active roster meaning at last one other Tiger is out of a job with the big team. Before we get into all of that let us break down this trade:

The Tigers get- SP Anibal Sanchez, and IF Omar Infante, plusMiami’s selection in the competitive balance draft to take place after the second round of next year’s MLB draft

The Marlins get- SP Jacob Turner, minor league catcher Rob Brantly, minor leaguer Brain Flynn, andDetroit’s selection in competitive balance draft.

This move makes ton of sense for the Tigers in the short term. Long tem maybe not as much. Infante is on the first year of a two year deal and will likely take over the second base job for the near future. Sanchez is on the final year of his deal, and at 28 years old will likely be looking to cash in this coming off season. Depending on how close the Tigers come to their ultimate goal will likely determine if owner Mike Illitch opens up the bank accounts to sing him again.

This trade all comes down to what people think of Turner. If the fans think he is John Smoltz reincarnate then this is a bad deal. However, if he is just another Andrew Miller type then once again the Tigers may have fleeced the Marlins. This trade looks a lot better with Sanchez locked up long term. For the here and now, this looks to be a pretty good trade for a team that is in win now mode.

The Tigers get a end of the rotation guy in Sanchez who could be quite effective; of course pitchers coming from the National League to the American League sometimes struggle so we will have to monitor that. In Infante they get a guy who spent parts of six seasons inDetroit, and who is a clear upgrade at second over the current options. He can also play in the outfield, but it seems he was acquired for one main reason to shore up the offense at second base. Any defensive upgrade he brings to theMotorCityis gravy.

We cannot judge this trade today. We have to wait to see what these two players do for the Tigers in 2012, and what Turner becomes down the road. However, if this deal ends up getting this team a World Series title DJC says here and now that it was a good trade.