Could a deal between Detroit and the Atlanta Braves possibly work?
MIAMI, FL – JULY 10: Michael Fulmer #32 of the Detroit Tigers and the American League and Justin Upton #8 of the Detroit Tigers and the American League look on during Gatorade All-Star Workout Day ahead of the 88th MLB All-Star Game at Marlins Park on July 10, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
There’s been some noise in the past couple of days about innovative trade deals to help rid Detroit of a bad contracts. Could the Braves take advantage?
The Atlanta Braves have already pulled this stunt themselves… multiple times. Melvin Upton and Craig Kimbrel went to San Diego for a reduced return. Hector Olivera went to San Diego – briefly – as the Braves took on Matt Kemp‘s contract.
Other variations have been done as well. Names like Bronson Arroyo. Carlos Quentin. Michael Bourn. Chris Johnson. Nick Swisher. Coppy has been very creative in moving contracts around.
Now another franchise is looking at doing the same.
The Detroit Tigers are finding very few takers to their plan to dump salaries. They had raised this possibility in public last October, leading us to consider at the time whether Justin Verlander might be an option for the Braves’ pitching needs last off-season.
Let’s take a quick look at exactly what their predicament is:
- Verlander. $28m now and in both 2018-19, plus a $22m vesting option.
- Miguel Cabrera. $28m now, $30 for the next 4 years and $32m in 2022-23. Plus options.
- Justin Upton. $22.1m now and through 2021.
- Jordan Zimmerman. $18m now, $24m next year, $25m in 2019 and 2020.
- Victor Martinez: $18m this year and next.
- Anibal Sanchez and Ian Kinsler have options for 2018, both with $5m buyouts.
Everybody else on their roster is getting under $5 million at this time, but that all adds up to $138 million committed for 2018, $111 million for 2019 – just for the active contracts. They will pay $21.1 million in payroll luxury taxes to MLB just for this season.
So the Tigers have three problems: (1) their payroll in general; (2) bad contracts that can’t be traded; and (3) a payroll tax. Never mind a lack of flexibility that will keep them from truly being competitive with their aging stars.
Let’s figure how they can get some help… and Dave Ramsey need not apply.