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Boston Red Sox: If there’s a fire sale who should we steal from Detroit?

By Logan Jakubajtys

May 3, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias (1) makes a throw to first during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias (1) makes a throw to first during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Tigers may be willing to trade any veteran player on their roster at the trade deadline. Could any of them be a fit for the Boston Red Sox?

The Boston Red Sox may be able to add some talent from the Detroit Tigers roster in July. Detroit is playing sub-.500 baseball and if that continues, they’ll likely be sellers at the deadline.

MLB Network’s Jon Morosi has said that the Tigers could look to begin a rebuild if their spot in the standings doesn’t improve.

The Tigers are currently third in the AL Central behind the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians.

If all veterans are truly available, there is plenty of talent to be had.

Of course, this has you thinking of Justin Verlander or Miguel Cabrera, but that’ still unlikely as each player is still owed a ton of money (and they’re the franchise cornerstones).

The Red Sox could look to add infield help in the form of second baseman Ian Kinsler or shortstop Jose Iglesias.

Yes, the team is set in the middle infield with Dustin Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts, but I believe Kinsler and Iglesias are athletic enough to help at third base. Pablo Sandoval may be returning soon, but no one knows how well or how poorly he will play. Brock Holt was an option but his vertigo has him out until further notice. Boston could sure up their defense with a Kinsler or Iglesias addition.

My preference here would be to acquire Jose Iglesias due to his age, defensive ability, and familiarity with Boston. Iglesias spent parts of two and a half seasons with the Red Sox before he was dealt to Detroit in 2013. The three-team trade brought starter Jake Peavy to Boston.

Those over at Motor City Bengals also think moving Iglesias is a deal the Tigers should make.

"Shortstop is one of the few areas where the team has significant depth, so making a change from Iglesias would work in that regard. Considering Iglesias is making $4.1 million this season (per Spotrac), the Tigers would be in an excellent position to shed some salary if they dealt the former Boston Red Sox player."

Detroit would likely want some younger arms for Iglesias, so what could a potential deal look like?

The Trade for Iglesias

Boston could potentially add a bullpen arm as well in this deal, swapping a few pieces and providing Detroit with an added bonus.

The Boston Red Sox are clearly happy with Christian Vazquez as the catcher of the future here. There’s not any other opening on the field for Blake Swihart to switch to either, so dealing him is easy. The Tigers are relying on an aging Alex Avila and a young John Hicks behind the plate. Avila may be dealt in the Tigers fire sale as well, so adding Swihart would be huge for them.

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Noe Ramirez is an up and down player between Boston and Pawtucket, but his potential could mean something to Detroit. He hasn’t pitched poorly here, but he hasn’t been stellar enough to stick around.

Shaun Anderson is currently with the Salem Red Sox. He’s a starter there, but he has experience out of the bullpen as well. At the University of Florida he became the team’s closer. The Tigers could mold Anderson into a starter or bullpen pitcher, whichever they feel best fits the needs of their ball club.

In the deal, Boston would bring two familiar faces back. Iglesias of course, and then pitcher Alex Wilson. He pitched for the Red Sox in 2013 and 2014, splitting time between Boston and Pawtucket. Wilson is now a clear major leaguer, and he could help add to the middle of Boston’s bullpen. So far in 2017 he’s pitched in 21.0 innings for Detroit, allowing just 13 hits and 4 earned runs. Wilson has a 1.71 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. His arm would be a welcome addition in Fenway Park.

Next: David Price will make season debut on Monday

Detroit’s approach will depend whole heartedly on how they play in June, so as the month goes on, keep your eye out for trade rumors here on Chowder and Champions.

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