With the Detroit Tigers potentially gutting their roster to reset their payroll, they may trade Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal to start the demolition. After that, their All-Star second baseman, Gleyber Torres, might be free to walk this offseason as well.
To replace Torres, MLB Trade Rumor’s Steve Adams believes the Tigers are a top trade candidate for another All-Star second baseman in the St. Louis Cardinals’ Brendan Donovan.
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“That high-contact approach, affordable salary and defensive versatility make Donovan a natural fit on virtually any contender. Tigers president of baseball ops Scott Harris has openly spoken about wanting to cut back on his lineup’s swing-and-miss tendencies, and Detroit could lose second baseman Gleyber Torres to free agency,” Adams wrote.
This past season, Donovan slashed .287/.353/.422/.775 with 32 doubles, 10 home runs, and 52 RBI in 118 games played. He also got his first All-Star nod as the representative from the Cards.
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Donovan would be a great pickup for the Tigers, as he is projected to make $5.4 million next season, while Torres is projected to get around $15 million on a new contract. If the Tigers are truly concerned about payroll, it would be a smart move to make.
This also works in the Cards’ favor, as they would get a good prospect in return, and it allows them to truly get their rebuild started. Hopefully, the Tigers realize that and get to dialing the phone as soon as they can.
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