Detroit Tigers Trade Rumor: Club Talking Outfielders With Colorado Rockies
By Matt Snyder
The Detroit Tigers are rumored to be in trade talks with the Colorado Rockies regarding their surplus outfielders, but it’s not clear which is the primary target.
According to the venerable Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Detroit Tigers have had preliminary discussions with the Colorado Rockies regarding the availability of one of their (i.e. Colorado’s) outfielders.
Sources: #Tigers among teams talking to #Rockies, who have surplus of LH hitting outfielders. Precise target for DET unclear; no deal close.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 12, 2016
CarGo, Blackmon and Dickerson are the #Rockies’ OFers in play. #Tigers built up pitching depth last July. Also could turn to lesser FA OFer.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 12, 2016
The Rockies signed outfielder Gerardo Parra earlier on Tuesday, a move that would be superfluous if they planned on also keeping their current outfield trio of Carlos Gonzalez, Corey Dickerson, and Charlie Blackmon.
Rosenthal notes that it’s not clear which player in particular (if any) was the focus of the discussion, but all three happen to be of the left-handed hitting persuasion.
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Gonzalez is the star of the group. Of the three he’s probably the only one who could be expected to post a significantly above-average batting line while playing full-time. He also has rated fairly well in the outfield in his career. A one-time center fielder (at least part-time), he remains at least average with the glove in a corner position.
Blackmon isn’t the hitter Gonzalez is — he might struggle to produce a league-average batting line — but he would also provide average-to-plus defense in a corner.
Dickerson has been used primarily as a platoon player by the Rockies the past three seasons. He has hit well in that role but rates as a below-average defender by the advanced metrics.
My guess is that Gonzalez is the target. Neither Blackmon nor Dickerson seem like enough of an upgrade over Tyler Collins or Anthony Gose to make the cost of acquisition worth the Tigers’ while.
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The Detroit Tigers likely seek either a right-handed hitting (low cost) platoon option or a full-time option (of either handedness) to fill the left field void.