FanPost

Brett's Offseason Plan

Brett’s Offseason Plan

Arbitration-eligible players

Pending free agents (re-sign or let go)

Free agents

Trevor Cahill (two year, $12 Million): Detroit needs some reliable starting pitching that they could eventually turn around and flip, or keep. Cahill had a bounce back year last season, but the numbers aren't mind-blowing so he won't command a lofty salary. He will provide a stop gap for those other pitchers in the pipeline.


Drew Pomeranz (one year, $7 Million): Another stop-gap who is most likely looking for a pillow contract. He was once a sought after pitcher who commanded several top prospects when traded to Boston. Following a year of injury and inconsistent results he could land in Detroit and potentially be flipped to a contender come July.

Trades

Trade Nicholas Castellanos & Jordan Zimmerman & $5 million to the Philadelphia Phillies for Carlos Santana & JP Crawford:

Reasoning for Detroit: With Castellanos in a contract year, it makes sense for Detroit to try and find some alternative value for him, with no real chance of an extension. In trading Zimmermann the Tigers also can work in some of their younger arms that are coming through the pipeline. As for the return, Carlos Santana may have had an off year, but he is still a dominant presence in the middle of any lineup with an uncanny ability to get on base. Zimmermann for Santana is essentially a contract swap (Zimmermann's $50 million for Santana's $40 million). JP Crawford use to be a top echelon prospect in the Phillies system. He would immediately fill a hole at SS for Detroit, instead of settling for a Freddy Galvis - type player on the FA market.

Reasoning for Philadelphia: There are reports that the Phillies are "shopping the Hell out of Santana", presumably to make room for Rhys Hoskins at first base. Philly has also been linked to both Bryce Harper and Manny Machado. Moving Santana makes room for Hoskins and potentially Harper in the OF. However, if they miss out on Harper they could go out and get Machado. Leaving no room for JP Crawford behind Kingery and Hernandez. Zimmermann provides a solid starter who is on the rebound for an already a well rounded rotation. This gives them 6 starters, but Philly could use one of those young starters to go out and get JT Realmuto from Miami.

Matt Boyd & Alex Wilson to Houston for JD Davis, JB Bukauskas, and JJ Matijevic

Reasoning for Detroit: Matt Boyd just came off of his best year as a pro and it may be time to cash in on the Super-2 candidate. Alex Wilson gave a solid presence in the bullpen, but with lots of cheap arms in the system they can do without him for now. JD Davis could be an immediate plug into the LF spot. With Santana and Cabrera they could rotate through 1B and DH as well. Bukauskas adds even more depth to Detroit's deep pitching farm and JJ is a depth option for the outfield.

Reasoning for Astros: With McCullers out for 2019 with TJ surgery, Keuchel a Free Agent, and Verlander and Cole in a contract year Houston needs starting pitching. Boyd provides a cheaper option to a James Paxton who will almost certainly have the ability to pilfer the top prospects in Houston's system. He is also under club control for four years. Wilson will provide more depth in Houston's bullpen as a 6th or 7th inning man. With Davis blocked by Bregman, Tucker, and White he becomes expendable to acquire needed pitching.

Batting Order

1. Jeimer Candelario - 3B

2. Carlos Santana - DH

3. Miguel Cabrera - 1B

4. Christin Stewart - RF

5. John Hicks - C

6. Niko Goodrum - 2B

7. JD Davis - LF

8. JP Crawford - SS

9. Jacoby Jones - CF

Bench

C - Greyson Greiner

INF - Dawel Lugo

OF - Mikie Mahtook

UTIL - Ronny Rodriguez

Pitching Rotation

1. Michael Fulmer

2. Drew Pomeranz

3. Blaine Hardy

4. Daniel Norris

5. Trevor Cahill

Bullpen

CL - Shane Greene

SU - Joe Jimenez

MR - Victor Alcantara

MR - Daniel Stumpf

MR - Drew VerHagen

MR - Buck Farmer

MR - Sandy Baez

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the <em>Bless You Boys</em> writing staff.