Detroit Tigers Trade Rumors: Are Scott Kazmir and Ben Zobrist Possibilities?
By Matt Snyder
According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Detroit Tigers had a scouting presence at last night’s Oakland A’s game. He notes that possible trade candidate Scott Kazmir was starting the game, but also mentions that some teams were looking at infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist and reliever Tyler Clippard.
Teams with scouts at Kazmir's start tonight at Yankee Stadium include: TOR, HOU, KC, DET, WAS, PIT. Some monitoring Zobrist, Clippard.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 8, 2015
Like all rumors at this time of year, this very well may turn out to be nothing. Teams send scouts to a variety of games for a variety of reason, and very few of those reasons have to do with imminent trades. The Tigers could certainly use a starter or a reliever, but, with Miguel Cabrera out of the lineup for an extended period of time, an extra bat wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world either.
More from Detroit Tigers
- Tigers Sign Manager A.J. Hinch to Long-Term Extension
- Former Tigers Celebrate Jim Leyland Hall of Fame Call
- 4 Free Agents Tigers Should Sign During Winter Meetings
- Javier Baez Listed Among Worst Contracts in MLB by The Athletic
- Tigers’ Interest in Kenta Maeda Could be a Disaster for 2024 and Beyond
Kazmir, a left-handed starter, is having a terrific year in the rotation. In 101 innings his ERA stands at a sparkling 2.49. His strikeout (23%) and walk rate (8%) combine for a slightly higher FIP of 3.18, so perhaps he hasn’t pitched quite as well as his ERA suggests, but he’s been very, very good nonetheless. He’s in the final year of his contract and he’s eligible for a qualifying offer following the season, so he might be hard to pry away from Oakland, who are still waiting to see if they can compete this year.
#Athletics currently in holding pattern with trades. Teams routinely make sure they see possible targets live just to be prepared.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 8, 2015
Zobrist is another very interesting name for the Tigers. He’s played over 1,700 innings in his career at each of the second base, shorstop, and right field positions, and he’s filled in at every other position besides catcher. He’s a utility player that breaks the mold of the weak-hitting bench player. With a career wRC+ of 118 (and a matching 118 wRC+ this season), the switch hitter is certainly capable of holding down an everyday job (even if it doesn’t come at the same position everyday).
If the Tigers were to make a serious run at Zobrist they could use him at first base while Cabrera is out. And once Cabrera returns to health he could spell (basically) every other player on the diamond to keep everyone fresh and rested without a drop off in ability on the field.
Zobrist is also eligible for free agency and a qualifying offer after the season, so it’s unlikely that he’ll be moved right away, but if the A’s do make him available, expect a lot of teams to chase him. It’s not likely the he ends up in Detroit, but it would make for a fun addition.
Next: Ranking the AL Final Vote Candidates