Detroit Tigers trade deadline: Cubs fans want Justin Verlander, Alex Avila
By Matt Snyder
Will the Detroit Tigers trade Justin Verlander before the deadline? At least one Chicago blog thinks the Cubs would be a good fit.
There’s been some smoke surrounding Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander in recent days with the trade deadline looming just four days away. A couple days ago we heard that the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, and Milwaukee Brewers were among the teams that were scouting him during his last start.
We don’t have any new rumors to report, but we do find that at least one segment of the Cubs fan base is interested in adding Verlander as they push for back-to-back NL Central titles. Our friends over at Da Windy City recommend that the Cubs try to acquire Verlander and catcher Alex Avila in exchange for prospects Jeimer Candelario (1B/3B) and Duane Underwood (RHP).
"In exchange for Verlander and Avila, the Tigers take the Cubs’ best remaining prospect, Jeimer Candelario. Candelario is a sweet-swinging switch hitter who could have an immediate impact for Detroit at the big league level. MLB.com ranks Candelario in their top 100 prospects, coming in at number 92."
Candelario would be a solid return for Verlander, even if the Tigers would have to eat some of Verlander’s salary to make the transaction work. There’s quite a bit of disagreement on his prospect status but he has the makings of a quality big league hitter.
Prospect analyst Eric Longenhangen ranked Candelario as the number four prospect in the Cubs system heading into the year. Here’s (part of) what he had to say about the switch-hitting prospect.
"He lacks the lateral quickness, soft hands and footwork to play third base for me and instead projects as a first-base-only player despite an above-average arm…There are all kinds of fantastic hitterish traits here. Candelario is fluid and comfortable in the box, he has a combination of good bat control and hand-eye coordination that allows him to spoil tough two-strike pitches, he makes in-flight adjustments to offspeed pitches, and he hits to all fields (though most of his power comes to his pull side)."
Longenhagen’s future value grade of 50 would put him second or third in the Tigers’ system next to slugging outfielder/designated hitter Christin Stewart.
Candelario sounds similar to Nick Castellanos in that he could play third base if you could stomach below-average defense but he’s probably better suited to first base in the long run. The Tigers currently have Miguel Cabrera anchoring first base, but they’ll get the DH position opened up when Victor Martinez‘s contract expires after next season.
Candelario is getting some love on Top 100 lists as well. MLB Pipeline has him ranked number 92 (and number one in the Cubs’ system) and Chris Mitchell’s KATOH+ model has him ranked number 83 in the recent midseason update (the Tigers’ system did not place anyone in the top 100 based on the KATOH model). Baseball America is less impressed with his profile; they list him down at number nine in the Cubs system.
Next: Detroit Tigers All-Time 25-man Roster
Verlander is scheduled to start for the Tigers on Sunday afternoon at Comerica Park in what would be his last outing before the trade deadline.