There has been one constant swirling around the Detroit Tigers trade rumor campfire so far this July. No matter which position it seems the Tigers will go after and who may be dealt and received in return, prized prospect Nick Castellanos is here to stay.
Nobody doubts this course of action. Very few question it. And the resolute tone that this topic is generally dismissed with is entirely understandable.
But the Tigers should consider trading Nick Castellanos.
Yes, the same Nick Castellanos who was the organization’s 2011 Minor League Hitter of the Year, and likely will be again in 2012. The same 6’4’’, 210 lb., 20-year old rising star who just earned MVP honors at the annual Futures Game. Yeah, that guy.
Nick Castellanos
Back in the winter of 2007, the Tigers pulled a trade that included two of their most coveted prospects at the time, Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin. The Tigers also threw in 4 mid-level prospects. In return they got Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis. Back then Willis wasn’t deemed completely useless and Cabrera was a 24-year old superstar on the rise.
That’s the kind of haul some prized prospects can bring in.
The lesson learned from that trade has been battle-tested over time. Proven major league stars trump minor league prospects more often than not.
Critics of this idea will quickly point to the Detroit Tigers trading homegrown talent John Smoltz away at the 1987 deadline in exchange for Doyle Alexander. Alexander helped propel the Tigers to the playoffs that year but didn’t provide a whole lot more in Motown. Smoltz went on to become a likely Hall of Famer in Atlanta.
People need to put that deal aside. It isn’t comparable to what the Tigers could pull off with Castellanos as the centerpiece of a trade. Alexander was 36 years old that season and would go on to retire just two years later.
If the Tigers could pluck Cabrera away like they did back then just imagine what Castellanos, the can’t-miss kid, could net on the market.
Matt Garza? Think bigger. Cole Hamels? Be more creative.
With Castellanos and some other pieces in play the Tigers could theoretically make a play at Felix Hernandez in Seattle or Justin Upton out of Arizona to name a few.
Seattle is in dire need of help. 3rd base is one of their key weaknesses and they could use a true catcher with youth on his side. Detroit could supply both of these in Castellanos and either Rob Brantly or James McCann.
Insert Hernandez into the 2nd slot in the Tigers’ rotation behind Justin Verlander and the playoffs become an annual event in Detroit, period. Sure the payroll would go up but so would the coveted postseason revenue that teams cherish so much.
The same theory applies to Justin Upton. Arizona badly needs a 3rd baseman not to mention some outfield help and the Tigers could provide that as well in the form of Brennan Boesch or Delmon Young.
Upton, like Cabrera in 2007, is just 24 years old and a legitimate rising star with proven big league credentials. He would instantly revitalize the 5-spot in the Tigers’ order and once again make Jim Leyland’s lineup one to fear.
Upton does have no-trade clause protection against being moved to Detroit but don’t be surprised if he is willing to reconsider. Hitting behind Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder would certainly raise his statistical production to new heights and set him up for a monster contract in 2016. He’d be foolish to not consider the idea.
I’m just throwing some names out there for now. Certainly several players would be involved in deals of this magnitude. My list isn’t meant to be a comprehensive one at this point, but simply a starting point. I’d love to see some of the reader’s ideas in the comments section below.
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If the Tigers want to explore all options this July then Castellanos’ name should be quietly shopped. If it’s not then the Tigers might just miss out on a mega deal that could vault them back into contention. If teams don’t properly value the 20-year old phenom’s potential and fail to to cough up a star in return then GM Dave Dombroski can simply move along. No harm done.
Nobody should be untouchable. Good management makes the right moves that everyone sees. Great management pulls the trigger on deals that shake the foundation of the league, just like the Cabrera deal in ’07.
Stay tuned.
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I have been against trading the kid Castellanos for anybody, but for Felix?! Goodbye Nick, good luck!! Jv n King Felix 1-2 punch, Cabbie/Prince 3-4 for atleast 4yrs sounds like atleast 2 world series championships. I like Upton, but not for Castellanos. Good atricle.
I have been against trading the kid Castellanos for anybody, but for Felix?! Goodbye Nick, good luck!! Jv n King Felix 1-2 punch, Cabbie/Prince 3-4 for atleast 4yrs sounds like atleast 2 world series championships. I like Upton, but not for Castellanos. Good atricle.
I would like to give Nick C an opportunity in the outfield or second base before shopping him. I find it odd that you’ve brought up his potential in the middle infield as unlikely. But I in fact believe that it is in our best interest to move him to another team. Even if his pans out to be a superstar, he wouldn’t be in the show for another 2 complete seasons. Cabrera cannot be a DH, look at his numbers. If we hang on to Nick C and put him at third base, it wouldn’t be until after Victors contract is up, Price to DH, and Cabrera back to 1st, to get Nick at 3rd. So tell me this…..why keep Nick C? Great potential to be a superstar in 2 1/2 seasons, thats a fact. I say trade him now when his value is at its highest for multiple established players that will help our team tremendously right away. But no rental players, they must be willing to sign for multiple seasons. In my opinion, Felix Hernandez is the best starter in the league besides JV. We have multiple prospects they desire. ~
Prince and Cabrera should be untouchable, oh and JV. I would like to see Hamels, just because he is a good Left Handed Pitcher. If possible, I would like someone younger though.
This is beyond stupid. Castellanos has all the earmarks of a genuine superstar who should be brought up no later than next year. Originally a shortstop, now playing 3B, he could either be moved back to SS and move Peralta to 2B or move him to 2B and dump the zeros that keep occupying that position. I’ve watched Upton since he arrived in Arizona – he cannot field, he pouts, he fails to make adjustments, and he is running out of time for stardom. At this pace, he will hit 15 hrs and drive in 60 runs, all in a homerun-friendly park. Felix Hernandez is a solid pitcher – his ERA last year was nearly 3.5 – but a poor swap straight-up. Keep Castellanos – he’s a likely gem. .
It’s beyond stupid to consider the idea of trading him? Nah. And there are zero people in the organization that feel he will ever play short again and he is definitely not a 2nd base candidate.
Big Nick for Joe Blanton, Placido Polanco, Kyle Kendrick, John Mayberry, Jr. and Shane Victorino!
Maybe even throw in one or two of our pitching prospects!
pass
Justin Upton? Kate Upton? Enough with the Uptons already.
haha
The tigers need either a starting pitcher 2nd base help and outfield. The phillies are going to probably be sellers why not lokat a Cole hamels and victorino trade. Or a Cole hamels chase utley trade? We could maybe package a deal and not give up Nick.but they have holes they need to fill cause if jot its just going to be a playoff. Run then knocked out by the rangers or the Yankees.
Lots of options.
I agree, the only way they can trade Castellanos is if they get a guy like Felix Hernandez or Justin Upton long term. No rental player is worth trading him for
agreed
I agree with some of what you said. I discussed Upton’s no trade clause in the article. I’m merely pointing out that the Tigers should explore the option. I hope this team can build from within but quite honestly Dombrowski has done his best work on the trade market, not in drafts.
Santiago at 2b everyday and Clayton Richard don’t do anything for me.
For what it’s worth, I think Detroit fans overblow the payroll issue. The Tigers are near the top of the league in terms of attendance. They pull in a lot of money. This is not a small or mid-market team, even if management wants you to think that it is.
I am not opposed to acquiring better players. Just wondering how much of our future we give up to do this? The problem with the Tigers is that they keep signing these big stars like Fielder which end up hurting them in drafts. Thus, DD is losing more than what most have seen. As such, the farm has taken a hit. Short of pitching, catching, Castellanos and Garcia; what does the farm have? Where are those talented young stars that everyone loves? I know the Tigers cannot not bank on these players winning games, but that is what the other superstars are for: Verlander, Cabrera, Fielder, Martinez, and soon to be Jackson. These core players are what set the stage. Then a team needs to add compliments to these players. Berry has been one such player. Dirks, when he gets healthy is another potential key. We all know 2nd base is a whole, but who out there is that much better than Santiago right now? Besides, he you want to blame the lack of offense on one person that is just low. If everyone else did their job there would be no issue.
Another issue I would like to bring up is Avila. I think he is one of the best catchers in the game… when healthy. However, the Tigers need to start asking themselves, how much longer does he have? Martinez and Laird are both at the end of their careers. Avila may be too… so the Tigers need to be careful to have strong protection in this area too or this could become an issue in 2 years just like the 2nd base issue.
Overall, I am not against acquiring more star power, as a fan I would love it. As a person of business though, it makes no sense, but its always easier to spend other peoples money.
What one individual player have I blamed this season on? Plenty of blame to go around.
Avila must step up. At 25 or whatever he is I’m guessing he’s not at the end of his career though.
I don’t disagree with your preferences on how to build a team. In fact, I agree 100%.
I hear what your saying and yes it would be nice to add a few more superstars to the team. However, now you are talking like we are the New York Yankees. The problem with this team is that it needs to develop some key players and stop buying expensive pieces. What happens if the payroll gets out of hand? Acquiring Cabrera back in the day was big because Tigers had no huge stars. Verlander was homegrown. Fielder was meant as that extra push to win it all. So now that is not working we have to go blow some more money? I don’t think Tigers need to go out and get some hot shot name. I don’t even think they have to trade their future to win it all this year. They need to go out and find a solid starting pitcher that may be a lefty… like Clayton Richard. This guy looks to be affordable, has good stats, and is a left handed starter. As for 2nd base, well worse case scenario you leave Santiago there every game. He is doing much better and is good defender. As for outfield, I would like to have Upton over Young and Boesch any day… however, doesn’t he have a no trade clause to Detroit?
Tigers need to start bringing up young talent and using them because they are more affordable. With players like Jackson, Cabrera, and Fielder… we need complements not more names… that is why players like Granderson were traded when they went up in stock.
The Tigers need production out of their everyday players right now, were getting in a little winning streak right now and i would like to improve pitching and 2nd base, i honestly like our outfield the way it is