Detroit Tigers: 3 players to trade during the 2020 season
By Tyler Kotila
He may not be in a contract year but the Detroit Tigers should move Joe Jiménez if given the chance to during the 2020 season.
It may not be the most orthodox move, trading away an arm who still has four years of team control being in the pre-arbitration stage, but the Detroit Tigers should consider it. Moving newly appointed closer Joe Jiménez might be the best thing for the organization’s future.
Jiménez is not a lockdown, shut them out, flamethrowing closer but still could be an added relief arm to a bullpen in need. The twenty-five-year-old relief arm has been named the Tigers closer in his third season with the big league club.
Back in 2018, Jiménez was the team’s lone all-star representative posting a 4.31 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and striking out 78 over 62.2 innings pitched on the year. Last season, Jiménez was the unofficial setup man until Shane Greene was traded at the 2019 trade deadline.
More from Detroit Jock City
- Tigers Sign Manager A.J. Hinch to Long-Term Extension
- Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
- Former Tigers Celebrate Jim Leyland Hall of Fame Call
- This Pistons Team Could be the Worst in Detroit Sports History
- 4 Free Agents Tigers Should Sign During Winter Meetings
In 2019, Jiménez would pitch in 59.2 innings, producing a 4.37 ERA, a 1.32 WHIP, but striking out 82 hitters, while notching nine saves.
Jiménez is looking to develop into this closer role and possibly start showing signs of being a dominant closer.
Ideally, he will blossom into a closer on this rebuilding team and pitch his way into a position where the Tigers can move him.
He may not have much trade value, but on a shortened/crammed season, he may be able to become valuable quite quickly.
Teams who are competing for postseason berths are going to need extra arms to get through the crammed season.
As mentioned above, Jiménez is not a dominant bullpen arm, but in a shortened season, he can become a depth arm for a contending bullpen.
If a team looking to add to their bullpen gives Avila a ring, he should try to move him with hopes to strengthen the farm system even more. At the end of the day, whatever leaves the farm system better off for the extent of this rebuild is a move that should be made.
light. Trending. Detroit Tigers: A look at the current state of the bullpen for 2020
Hopefully, baseball starts back up soon and the Detroit Tigers can move some players to better their farm system.