Tigers Should Trade Nick Castellanos at the Winter Meetings

With the MLB winter meetings approaching, the Tigers certainly won’t be in the market for any big free agent signings. Not until some of their veteran contracts are off the books (i.e. Jordan Zimmerman and Miguel Cabrera) and give their minor league prospects they have acquired the past couple seasons time to develop.

But they can make a splash next month by trading outfielder/DH Nick Castellanos. Rumors have been swirling that the Astros made an offer to the Tigers for Castellanos prior to last July’s trade deadline.

With Free Agency looming in 2019, the Tigers should make a move at the winter meetings. His value is at an all-time high. Last season’s stat line:

• .298/.354/.500

• 23 home runs

• 74 extra-base hits

• 89 RBI

• Career-best OPS+

Not moving him now leaves the risk of his value decreasing with a poor 1st half in 2019 – sound familiar Michael Fulmer? He’s also due for a big raise in his final year of arbitration (a projected $11.3MM), and Castellanos hasn’t provided any defensive value whatsoever, either as an outfielder or at 3rd base. Which has limited his trade value before and will continue to do so.

As a 1 year rental player, primarily being used as a DH, he is a perfect fit for a contender in the American League like the Houston Astros.