The Diamondbacks have made a massive move to upgrade their offense, acquiring outfielder J.D. Martinez from the Tigers in exchange for infield prospects Dawel Lugo, Sergio Alcantara and Jose King. Both teams have announced the deal. There’s reportedly no cash changing hands in the deal, so the D-backs are on the hook for the $4.82MM that remains on Martinez’s $11.75MM salary.
In acquiring Martinez, the D-backs will be adding the very best rental bat on the market. The 29-year-old missed the first six weeks of the season due to a sprained ligament in his foot but has stormed back into the lineup with a .305/.388/.630 batting line and 16 homers through 232 plate appearances in 57 games. Arizona currently has Yasmany Tomas on the shelf and has been relying upon Daniel Descalso and Chris Herrmann to take at-bats in left field.
[Related: Updated Detroit Tigers depth chart and Arizona Diamondbacks depth chart]
By picking up Martinez, the Snakes will not only be massively upgrading their lineup, they’ll also be preventing one of their top division rivals and a potential Wild Card opponent, the Rockies, from acquiring the slugger. Colorado had also reportedly expressed interest in Martinez, but he’ll now slot into a D-backs lineup that already features the likes of Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Lamb, A.J. Pollock and David Peralta. Beyond that, though, the D-backs will add a drastically needed upgrade against left-handed pitching. Arizona ranks last in the Majors with a 65 wRC+ against lefties, and Martinez’s right-handed bat will be a significant boost.
From a defensive standpoint, Martinez won’t do the D-backs many favors, as he’s rated poorly in right field over the past couple of seasons, perhaps in part due to his foot troubles. (Martinez had graded out quite well in right as recently as 2015.) Then again, Tomas has regularly graded out as one of the game’s worst defenders in left field, while Descalso is an infielder that has been playing left out of necessity.
With Martinez set to be a free agent this offseason, the trade stands to benefit him as well. Because he’s been moved, he’ll no longer be eligible to receive a qualifying offer when the season is up, which should only strengthen his case on the open market.
Of the prospects in the deal, Lugo comes with the most fanfare. He entered the season ranked fourth among D-backs farmhands, according to Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com. The 22-year-old is hitting .282/.325/.428 with seven homers, 21 doubles and four triples through 369 plate appearances in Double-A despite being a couple of years younger than the average age of his competition. He’s played shortstop and third base throughout his minor league career. Callis and Mayo note that he could project as a utility player, but he’s made enough strides recently that a future as a regular isn’t out of the question. Given his inclusion in the deal, the Tigers likely view Lugo as a potential regular at either one of those two positions.
Alcantara, also a middle infielder, ranked 15th among Arizona prospects on that same list prior to the season. He’s off to a .279/.344/.362 batting line with three homers, 15 doubles, a pair triples and 11 steals (albeit in 21 tries) in 378 PAs at Class-A Advanced. Also like Lugo, he’s rather young for his level, having turned 21 just last week. Callis and Mayo praise him as an outstanding defender and labeling him a “no-doubt-about-it shortstop.” He has the strongest arm in Arizona’s system, they add, and his glovework is so strong that he needn’t develop much as a hitter to be an everyday player in the Majors.
King, the youngest of the bunch at 18, recently opened his season in the Rookie-level Arizona League after spending the 2016 season in the Dominican Summer League. Baseball America’s Ben Badler ranked King among the best prospects in the DSL, praising his plus-plus speed and noting that he has 50-steal potential to go along with a compact swing and good bat speed. King is also an up-the-middle player and has split his time between shortstop and second base, though Badler notes that his slightly below average arm makes him a better fit at second base rather than shortstop.
Jon Morosi of MLB.com first said the two sides were close to a deal (Twitter link). Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reported the deal was in place (on Twitter). Jon Heyman of FanRag and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports/MLB Network noted that the D-backs were sending multiple prospects to Detroit (Twitter links). Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic tweeted the prospects that were in the deal. Rosenthal tweeted that there’s no cash changing hands in the deal.
dodgerfan711
Unless they get an MLB piece dont see why the dodgers cant match this. Dbacks have nothing in the farm
theroyal19
Dodgers don’t need him and throwing away prospects to keep him away from a division opponent isn’t necessary
dodgerfan711
Getting JD would have permanently ended the struggles vs lefties. They are fine this season but JD would have ended any debate for sure
vtadave
Dodgers lead the NL in OPS versus LHP right now and they’ve been even better against them over the last couple months.
theroyal19
they’ve completely changed the narrative this season, best record against left handed pitching belongs to the Dodgers in 2017.
Wolf Hoffmann
Why mess with the chemistry? Hitting isn’t an issue for them. I would rather keep the current team as is, and the LA prospects.
padresfan
If anything the doyuers need a starter. Their depth can only go so deep.
Everything else is pretty sound
BlueSkyLA
The Dodgers have so many starters they are cycling all them except for Kershaw through the 10-day every few starts, with a couple more in reserve between the pen and the minors. So depth is not the issue. What they lack is someone who can slot in for sure behind Kershaw. Lots of nominees, nobody elected yet. They also need a LH reliever.
padresfan
Like I said
They need a starter if anything. Someone will a proven track record that doesn’t break. Most of the starters the doyuers have for depth break a lot
Other than that they don’t need anything
oldleftylong
Dodgers are always reluctant to trade prospects. It’s cost them the past couple years. And, … will this year too!!
chesteraarthur
Yeah, I’m sure they are just DEVASTATED that they kept Seager and Bellinger.
dutch91701
JDL and Joc could’ve been moved for SPs in recent years and that could’ve made the difference in the playoffs. Moving prospects doesn’t mean moving all prospects. Point is their reluctance to move anyone of note may have cost them chances at a title.
myaccount
And what if the prospects they moved were Seager and Bellinger instead of Joc and De Leon?
frankiegxiii
When was a starting pitcher offered for Joc and De Leon?
frankiegxiii
Nvm, read that wrong
oldleftylong
Ugh, the Dodgers have a history of choking I. The NL playoffs.
ttinsley1434
5 rings say that they don’t……..idiot
calikid13
The Cardinals would like to have some words with you. Lol!
dudeness88
they’ve won a ring recently?
ttinsley1434
He said history, not recent history. Any other brain busters?
dutch91701
Please find a different horse.
Phattey
They should have thrown in Shelby Miller for shiz and gigs
Weighed
Don’t they need a closer?
MB923
They have another 2 weeks or so to get one.
tankisme
Maybe Detroit will add Wilson to the trade.
oldleftylong
J-Willie will bring a #1 on his own.
jdgoat
Dudes gonna rake there
LA91744
I’ll believe it
tankisme
Only of they can ship out some bloated contract with him.
tigersfan1320
Noooooooo
Yadi4prez
You knew it was gonna happen anyways
RedSoxFan2017
Hopefully this tigers means the tigers finally go into rebuild mode instead of being stuck in mediocrity for 3 years
tigersfan1320
The tigers have been rebuilding, they got Michael fulmer from rebuilding
antonio bananas
i dont think tigersfan1320 knows what a rebuild is
IronBallsMcGinty
Almost thought they were competing with the Sox for last place.
oldleftylong
Damn straight we do.
stymeedone
You mean a tear down. Tigers have continually brought in young players. Miggy, VMart and Verlander are their “old” players, and the contracts make it unlikely they will be moved. I see this as a retool..
dbacksrs
Awesome news. Waiting for the update to see who they traded for him.
rackcity
Damn wonder f they make it too the playoffs
RedSoxFan2017
If and to
unsaturatedmatz
Probably giving up something like Marcus Wilson, Anthony Banda, and jasrado chisholm
Matt Galvin
Brito and others?
tharrie0820
Brito isn’t a prospect
bleacherbum
Brito is a top prospect actually. Organizationally, he is #6 on their top 30.
darkstar61
Yeah he is. Ranked 8th in their system in 2017 according to John Sickles
google.com/amp/s/www.minorleagueball.com/platform/…
vtadave
#8 in a terrible system is nothing to be excited about.
bleacherbum
Nobody said it was anything to be excited about. A commenter said that he wasn’t a top prospect when in fact in their organization he is, so that was just being stated by his response. Don’t think there was any excitement in his response, just facts.
darkstar61
Conversation was not about how great he or the system is – it’s over whether he is a prospect; and he is
unsaturatedmatz
Done deal
Henduland
Going to be a fun next couple weeks.
nmendoza44
Goldy, Lamb and Martinez, dear lord.
firstbleed
And Pollock (when healthy)
Yadi4prez
With pollock and peralta at the top too
partyatnapolis
this is where the fun begins, boys. first domino has fallen
dwhitt3
4th domino
partyatnapolis
ehhhh… quintana is a .500 pitcher, doolittle’s been hurts, same with madson.. what else am i missing?
Priggs89
Lol. Solid evals
kidaplus
The slightest clue about to how evaluate a pitcher.
That’s what you’re missing.
partyatnapolis
quintana is a 3 or 4 on a good team. on a underachieving team, yes he’s an ace. but the guy has only had double digits wins once in his career and only just in his past start got his 5th win. he’s solid, but he’s not an ace or elite. madson is on the end of his career, and doolittle, while solid, has had a lot of injury problems and it’s been a while since he was among the top relievers in the game. he could be a solid pickup, and probably better than half of what the nats are throwing out there now, but he’s not a game changer. at least to me lol.
ReverieDays
You’re a goofball.
ReverieDays
Wins? lol great argument.
partyatnapolis
not just wins. stuff. he’s solid. but he’s not elite or ace worthy.
stymeedone
Yes. Wins. Of course there are other stats as well that are required. You need to have All of them to be an Ace, and if the wins aren’t there, your not one. An Ace wins his team games.
SaberSmuckers
Wins mean nothing. The sooner you understand that, the sooner you’ll be able to provide intelligent input on this string.
Also, it’s “you’re”. Just basic first grade grammar.
SaberSmuckers
Wins. Lol. Just stop it, you’re killing us. I thought after King Felix won the Cy Young years ago people would evolve, guess not.
stymeedone
King Felix has won his share of games. That his Cy Young season was light for him in the win column means as much as Porcello taking the Cy Young because he did have a high W total. Am I able to call Porcello an Ace because he won a Cy. I think not. Felix is an Ace because of his overall body of work. (Well, used to be an Ace).
ryanh48
This better be a huge return, there’s no rush to trade him. Arizona has a weak system though, so I can’t imagine any package couldn’t have been beaten.
tribefan48 2
JD was gonna leave Detroit after this year anyway
ryanh48
I know, but with just under two weeks until the deadline, I think Al Avila could have waited to get a better package. I say that without knowing who is coming back in return, but with a weak farm system, I imagine other teams could be outbid Arizona
Henduland
Al Avila is the worst GM in MLB.
stymeedone
Because why? He’s barely been in position two years. Kinda a small sample size.
Caught Looking
There is another guy that hid medical information. That alone makes him worse.
outinleftfield
That guy got a promotion and his boss got fired, so he must be a pretty good GM.
oldleftylong
AA settled. Ugh!
Tigers2025
al avila is pretty dumb. hasn’t made a reasonable trade yet. only good thing he’s done is bring his son back. wasted money on jordan zimmerman. gave away maybin.
Andrew Farrug
I’m praying for Archie Bradley….unlikely
tharrie0820
3 prospects. PROSPECTS
southi
Yeah, I’m kinda surprised that the Tigers netted as many prospects as they did (although I’m not sure how much real talent the trio has because from a few of the comments not very talented).
oldleftylong
Not talented at all.
TribeTown
this is an interesting move, especially since it looks like they’re fighting for a one – game playoff
norcalblue
wheeew……
Poynter3434
What is the report on the 3 prospects? Curious to see what the market is being set at …
fatelfunnel
Logo, Alcantara and Jose King
Poynter3434
Yes, but is that a good haul? Not familiar with dbacks system …
bleacherbum
Not really a good haul, the Diamondbacks are one of the teams in the league without a top 100 prospect in the game and the best guy they dealt here for Martinez is lugo who is their #4 best prospect. D-Backs gave up very little to get JD.
BlueSkyLA
Basically a possible starting infielder (Lugo), probably a utility infielder (Alacantra), and a lottery ticket (King).
Seems like a pretty typical return for a rental.
oldleftylong
JD will do D-backs well. The “farm” isn’t too impressive, Al!
outinleftfield
More like a utility guy in Lugo and two lottery tickets.
oldleftylong
Very little.
BlueSkyLA
“Lugo looked like a future utility man, but the progress he’s made points to a potential everyday job in the big leagues. Some of that might depend on if his bat profiles at the hot corner, but that’s seeming more and more like a possibility.” — Scouting report.
So now you can see the source for “possible starting infielder.” Okay?
LADreamin
No, it’s not a good haul. JDM is a game changing bat when healthy, and this is a pedestrian return for Detroit.
oldleftylong
It’ll bite the Cali Dodgers. Whimps!
LADreamin
????? Bitter much?
Priggs89
Wow
oldleftylong
Yeah, wow. I loved JD. Power hitter who also hits for average.
Dusty Baker
The Dodgers pretty much have the division but keep in mind that if AZ wins the Wild Card they would most likely play the Dodgers. LA might need another bat or, at the very least, upgrade the bullpen. I’d love to see them match this by acquiring Ozuna (though he probably won’t be traded), McCutchen, or stack the bullpen by getting two arms (Britton and Brach?)
oldleftylong
I hope JD and the D-Backs screw the Dodgers!
LADreamin
Bitter Betty tsk tsk
oldleftylong
I hope the Dodgers get whipped.
oldleftylong
Uh, yeah!
hiflew
That is a horrible package. I cannot believe the Rockies wouldn’t beat that.
Phattey
Tbh they already have an overcrowded outfield they need pitching more than anything else
oldleftylong
Or, Dodgers?
bleacherbum
Martinez for lugo, alacantra and King. Dawell Lugo being the best out of the bunch their #4 ranked prospect.
Low price for Martinez. Great trade for ARZ. Didn’t have to give up Banda or Duplantier.
darkstar61
“Dawell Lugo being the best out of the bunch their #4 ranked prospect.”
Tbh, Lugo is really the only out of the bunch.
Surprised cost was so low
Henduland
Not going to get a lot for a rental unless it’s a star player.
stymeedone
If JD isn’t a star, you don’t follow the game.
darkstar61
.912 … .879 … .908 … 1.018
His last 4 seasons OPS indicate Martinez is a “star” (while being 4th in OFer wOBA this season indicates he is one of games hottest hitters this year)
To get 1 okay guy and 2 minor league fillers from arguably the worst system in the game… it’s insanely low
seamaholic 2
Gives a lot back on defense and on bases. He’s rocking about 1.5 WAR this year on 232 PA’s in which he’s been unusually (even for him) hot, which is about 3.5-4 WAR for a full season. That’s not star level, but certainly above average.
A'sfaninUK
He’s a star, an injury plagued star who cost $5M for 2 months. Why did people think he’s worth some huge haul?
outinleftfield
1.7 WAR as of today and he missed 6 weeks. 3 plus WAR for a season is an All Star caliber player. His OPS is near the very top of the lists. They traded for his bat and he is a HUGE upgrade on defense over Tomas.
darkstar61
Who is arguing he was worth “some huge haul”? That’s a strawman no one got close to presenting
Peoples position is instead that the Tigers got little more than nothing here.
According to Sickles its a B- and pair of sub-Cs for the 4th best hitting OFer this season (behind just Trout, Judge and Harper, respectively)
It’s a pitiful return
stymeedone
When the Tigers made the David Price trade every one was stunned. How did they get Price with such a weak farm? Almost immediately, Willy Adames rocketed up the prospect rankings. The media was forced to look deeper. Let’s face it, that big media market teams have the Ranked prospects is not surprising. Being unranked while playing for a small market team doesn’t mean you are not quality talent. It means you are under the radar. If you believe that the GM of your team treats the rankings as gospel, reality will disappoint you. That the average fan hasn’t heard of these player means little to how successful they will become. Time will tell.
LodgeBoxin
This
bleacherbum
Great deal for Arizona, they got JD for basically nothing of importance.
jdgoat
Lugo was traded for Cliff Pennington. There should be riots in the streets of Detroit right now. Avila should’ve waited and hoped for an injury to another team.
B6Cole
Wow!! Horrible trade! Tigers get 3 crappy prospects for the hottest hitter in the majors. Avila is an idiot!
oldleftylong
Perhaps. And, I am a Tigers fan!
B6Cole
Me too
jdgoat
What a horrendous return
troy
Really light. Cash relief. Light return. Disappointed.
walls17
I like this move a lot for the D-Backs. Should be a fun team to watch down the stretch
the.sophisticant
gave alot of good dudes for some guy i aint never heard about. is he related to pedro?
SeanCasey21
You must not watch baseball then….
Ry.the.Stunner
If you’ve never heard of JD Martinez, then your opinion is irrelevant on this website.
vtadave
“good dudes”
Has never heard of J.D. Martinez.
Going with…troll.
wartdog
The sarcasm meter is very weak with MLBTR posters
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
JD Martinez is white
hiflew
Yeah because the different race was the only thing wrong with that comment. smh
LodgeBoxin
A subspecies of the OP troll. A piggybacker. Do not feed.
moores000
Really… Not ONE relief prospect….. way to go Avila……
hyraxwithaflamethrower
Even if he’d gotten one, do you think it’d have been a good one? JD’s a hell of a hitter, but he’s a rental who can’t play defense. His value was always going to be limited. After years of going for it and keeping aging veterans, the Tigers just don’t have the pieces to trade away like the White Sox and Orioles do. They’d get something really good for Fulmer, but not much for anyone else.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
3 minor league players for a rentnal. They probably aren’t making the playoffs
halos101
not a very impressive haul honestky. Good move by snakes… now they need bullpen help
aff10
Bafflingly low return, I understand that Martinez is a rental and Arizona picked up the cash, but I can’t believe they couldn’t get more than this. I kinda like Lugo, but to have him headline a package for one of the majors fifteen hitters is crazy. I feel like Alex Avila might bring back more than this
prestigeworldwide
Hanzen getting work done
LADreamin
Al Avila is a joke. Glad to see the DBacks fleecing someone for a change. They sent their #4, #15 and a prospect not even in their top 30 for a middle of the order power bat. Crazy.
Caught Looking
Avila is a joke only because Dave Stewart is no longer the D-Backs GM
ASchmidt
Time to temper expectations on that Justin Wilson return now Tigers fans.
bleacherbum
Seriously, wow. If this is a pre-cursor to what they will receive for their other players then holy cow. Arizona with their weak farm system gave up scraps to get one of the best bats on this year’s trade market.
fatelfunnel
Can’t believe that was the best offer! For that I would hold him for another week and see if anything changes….WOW
oldleftylong
Me too
Chucky25
shocked they didn’t at least end up with an OF prospect coming back,with a big need for a CF
kbarr888
Does Ari have a CF to send them?
Chucky25
Brito can play all 3 spots,so I figured he’d be part of it,but to be honest not sure how good CF he is
zack novotny
Wow, what a steal. It’s been a long rough few years being a dbacks fan but so far this year and this trade has been a turn around.
terry g
Seems low but perhaps no one else would pick up his full salary.
jide
Peanuts
stymeedone
3 SS prospects. Interesting. SS’s can be moved to lots of positions. King looks like he has potential.
tigersfan1320
Horrible trade
66TheNumberOfTheBest
There is little to no market for position players this year.
It’s why I’ve mostly stopped talking about trading Cutch. Little demand means a middling return.
Not sure why they didn’t wait, though, if only to see if an injury creates an unexpected buyer in the next two weeks.
BlueSkyLA
Spot on.
Waiting it out creates risk on both sides of the ledger.
A'sfaninUK
Solid, on-market trade. $5M is enough to take on for Lugo. Fair swap.
EDIT: re-reading the thread, guess the fact AZ took on money means nothing to you mob, huh?
A'sfaninUK
Considering how few teams are seriously buying at RF, this makes so much sense to me. How come so many of you cant see all these factors would lead to that package?
Priggs89
How come A’s fans think they’ll get anything worthwhile for Alonso?
A'sfaninUK
They’ll get like, Acevedo or Florial, or 2-3 top 30ish guys.. Alonso is really good and only has like $1.6+M left on his contract. If the A’s send money they’ll get a slightly better prospect too. Not Rutherford or Mateo, and obviously not Fowler (although that would have been a perfect swap, condolences to him, it doesn’t sound like he’ll play for a long long time, if ever), and not Abreu. But someone from that second tier, sure.
Not to mention Yonder is one of the most loved players in MLB. Great team guy, gave in-game tips to Barreto, which caused Barreto to hit a triple and a homer. He’s an amazing piece to pick up even if the team getting him isn’t necessary contending or going out of their way to contend via the trade market, like NYY.
chesteraarthur
“Not to mention Yonder is one of the most loved players in MLB. Great team guy, gave in-game tips to Barreto, which caused Barreto to hit a triple and a homer.” blah blah blah
KnicksFanCavsFan
Florial just landed on some top 100 mid-season lists. It wouldn’t make sense to give up a potential top 5 guy at 20 for a 1b rental. Acevedo might be ready to compete next year for a slot. I think some 2 player combo of a Austin, Mitchell, Mason Williams, Wade or Fowler would be more realistic.
CNichols
Is 4.8m for a guy with an OPS of over a thousand really that big of a deal? Considering the value he brings and what WAR costs on the open market his deal is very affordable.
I doubt AZ taking on a small commitment that now amounts to just 4% of their payroll is why DETs return is so light. It’s more that the market for position players is weak.
everlastingdave
They might be “only” a Wild Card team, but the Diamondbacks are a good team this year and they just got better. Don’t ignore them in October; this is starting to look real.
seamaholic 2
Lost a bunch of games lately and no depth at all, especially on the pitching staff. They’ll be fun to watch though, just nowhere near Nats/Dodgers level.
sufferforsnakes
Glad he’s gone. Now we don’t have to face him anymore.
jdgoat
I just watched him kill the Jays. Really Avila, couldn’t find a taker before the second half?
therealryan
It was a 50 FV, 45 FV and 40 FV prospect. Detroit fans were saying he was worth multiple 55 FV prospects. They must be very disappointed in Motown tonight.
dugdog83
Very
max l
Ehh…..for everyone slamming Avilla for this, I feel the same way about Lance Lynn and the Cards. Gersh or Mo whoever’s calling the shots there now should take the first half decent prospect someone asks about for Lynn. If you are going to lose him after the season anyways (The Tigers were losing Martinez, the Cards aren’t bringing Lynn back) I’d take someone with somewhat of an upside instead of a compensation pick that in 5 years has as good of a chance of playing in independent league ball than they do actually playing in the majors. Could Avilla have gotten a batter package?? Sure, but better to get him for something than potentially nothing if you hold on hoping someone overpays for 60 or so games worth of his services.
sufferforsnakes
Yep.
Benklasner
Shocked that Brito want part of this deal with detroit’s stated need for mlb ready CF and Arizona’s realative abundance of outfielders, at least when they are all healthy.
mymaus
Given that the D-Backs are at least doing what they can to strengthen, any chance they try for Cozart at ss? Bet he’d be cheap as there seems to have been no interest in him.
outinleftfield
Cheap price for one of the best bats in baseball, even if he is a rental. #4. #15 and depth prospects. No one in top 100. Diamondbacks are already talking about extending JD and they have 2 1/2 months to do so. A potent offense just got much better. Their 3-4-5 now ranks up there with the very best.
seamaholic 2
They won’t extend him or even try. Guys who are killing it in their walk year do not sign extensions unless a serious overpay.
stymeedone
They can talk about it, but until they do it….
Cardinals17
Way to go Cardinal’s Front office. That’s one available power hitter down. Several more to go before you make your standard statement; “Nothing fit what we were looking for!”
kaido24
The Cardinals need to acquire a controllable power hitter not a rental, even if it was apparently cheap.
noraj9
Wow maybe the Braves can get Machado for a bunch of scrubs after all.
rycm131
Glad I’m not a Tigers fan. This looks like the type of trade the A’s typically make. Good player for 3 not good prospects
moores000
This Tigers fan is definitely unhappy with the haul….
rycm131
I feel for you. I’ve seen this for a decade in Oakland
oldleftylong
This Tiger fan too
stymeedone
3 prospects for 3 months of a good player.
SupremeZeus
Snakes fans must be elated. Finally some competent transactions from the FO. Hazen has really turned it around for that organization in quick fashion. See if he makes a bullpen move.
A'sfaninUK
I wouldn’t be so fast on this particular trade, I’m guessing that AZ might have been the only possible team the Tigers could trade with, there’s been very little chatter about COF’s going into this deadline. JD had to go somewhere, they found a taker.
detroitdave84
This was a pathetic return for a top bat and these are guys are all fringe utility guys with no punch. Avila should be fired immediately and not let him make anymore trades. Let Chadd do it!!
Constantine the Great
Dawel Lugo (AA), Sergio Alcantara (A+) and Jose King (Rookie) for 3-months of J.D. Martinez (.305/.388/.630 & 167 OPS+)?
I didn’t realize Kevin Towers landed an advisory role with the Detroit Tigers.
Did he?
bartoloshomie
Ill miss JD! Was at the store seeing JDs face as an advert for the Tigers just today. I will root for the Dbacks this postseason.
TheBigFella
I legit feel bad for tigers fans that this is the Avila can do.
MiggyCabby24
Horrible deal for the Tigers. Avila is a major disaster as GM. He gave up JD for 3 shortstops?
LaffitesLanding
Looking at this trade from the Tigers point of view, though choose quantity over quality. The Tigers need a lot of help to fix their minor league system. Martinez was the most obvious player to deal.
This is probably the best you are going to get for a defensively challenged rental with some injury issues even if he’s been amazing at the plate. If the Tigers want the huge return, they are going to have to deal Michael Fullmer. There is no one else who will bring you what you want back.
Trade Fullmer, spend the next year or so tying to get out from under the contracts of Kinsler, Victor Martinez and Verlander, take some high draft picks and then start building the team back to prominence. The run is over. Mike Ilitch is gone. It’s time to start thinking of 2022 or so. They waited too long to trade JD and this is what that has wrought for them.
mikeyst13
There is just not as much demand this year for rental bats, even one as good as JD. The price of pitching is going to be high, but I think this is about right for a rental bat with some defensive liability. Tiger fans are disappointed, but Lugo is a decent 50 grade prospect and a couple of wait and see guys thrown in.
RegretfulTigersFan7
Lugo was projected as a utility man.
I can only hope these prospects turn out to be like Willy Adames in the Price deal.
Priggs89
Todd Frazier healthy scratch tonight. Lots of chatter on twitter about him and Robertson going to the Red Sox shortly.
bobbleheadguru
Would not be surprised to see the Diamondback flip JD for 2 top 100 prospects after a bidding war. Why not? Great way to improve your farm system in 2 weeks.
Dbacks are further back from 1st than the Tigers are right now.
mikeyst13
Who exactly is getting in this bidding war? Aaron and Col we’re the only two teams seriously linked to him and Colorado seemed to be cooling off. If there were more teams calling with interest they would have held out longer.
KnicksFanCavsFan
If JD could net 2 top 100 prospects then why wouldn’t the Tigers just work out a deal with that team? Silly.
biasisrelitive
if there was a bidding wat it weighs have already happened lol what??
Constantine the Great
… but atop the Wild Card standings. They can’t help it if the Dodgers are winning at a near record-setting rate lately…
RegretfulTigersFan7
That would be like salt in a wound and would/should get Al fired.
A'sfaninUK
FYI Todd Frazier is giving hugs right now.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Who got him ? Red Sox?
corey5kersh22
lol Detroit fans were saying jd Martinez would’ve cost the dodgers verdugo… smh
bobbleheadguru
Let us see what happens with these prospects. Many mocked Robbie Ray for Doug Fister. Now how is that looking?
hiflew
Still not good for the Tigers.
kehoet83
Actually those were rumors that Detroit fans and other fans read about.
tucker
Is this return better than the QO Tigers could have put on JD?
bobbleheadguru
Yes… better than the 4th round pick which would have been around pick 120. They got 3 lottery tickets.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
I’m not really sure what the Tigers were thinking. A 1st rounder could have become better than any of the guys they got and if he’d signed, they could always have done a deal for him next year.
stymeedone
How would they have got this 1st round pick you talk of? Draft picks, with few exceptions, are not tradeable. Compensation for making a QO to JD would have only netted a 4th round pick.
troy
By giving him a qualifying offer.
stymeedone
No, that would only net a 4th round, as they are over the soft cap this year.
KnicksFanCavsFan
This should stoke some of those loony trade proposals I’ve heard for Frazier or Alonzo. Not a single top 100 prospect nor one of the Dbacks top 3.
camnewton42
I wonder what the rotations are going to be.
Paul Miller
Lugo was traded by Toronto in 2015 for Cliff Pennington. Quite the prized prospect Avila!
Mr.baseball
Snakes are going all in to make a run for it this season.
Mr.baseball
But watch out for the sleeper teams to catch fire in September.
Braves are a few pieces away from being the 91 worst to first kind of team. Not saying they will be in it to win it all just October baseball.
Tribe 217
Dumb trade by the Dbacks. Gave up to much.
Constantine the Great
Did you accidentally tap your Towers-era marco?
Sign all the Cubans
D-backs system is trash and that’s what they gave up in this trade.
Hazen totally got over on Detroit this time.
Sign all the Cubans
Wow…props to the D-backs for landing the best bat on the market while paying actual trash for it.
Okay Dodgers, now go out and get Britton so I don’t have to hold my breath in the 8th anymore.
bobbleheadguru
Have you watched any of these three prospects play?
Or do you trust “experts” who are not good enough to get jobs with actual MLB clubs?
Sign all the Cubans
I’ve seen 2 of the 3 play in person at Visalia and Hillsboro. Lugo does appear to have some upside at the plate, while Alcantara was so average, I vaguely remember is AB’s. Haven’t seen King, as he’s still in complex ball.
My whole point is, one could have expected that the Tigers would have received more than this in return for a premium bat.
bobbleheadguru
Ironic with just under 70 games left…
AZ is 10.5 games behind in their division.
Tigers are 5 back. Tigers go 5-2 against the Indians and they only have to make up 2 games in 2.5 months.
Mr Pike
If this is the market the Tigers should not trade JWil or Avila. Looking at the return the Tigers and White Sox got, it’s smarter to take a shot now.