Dave Dombrowski worked his trade deadline magic again, adding two pieces that the Detroit Tigers absolutely needed to contend for the World Series, while holding on to most of their top prospects in the process. Dombrowski added Jose Veras from the Houston Astros and Jose Iglesias from the Boston Red Sox, while giving up prospects Avisail Garcia, Brayan Villarreal and Danry Vasquez.
[caption id="attachment_475" align="alignright" width="150" caption="All-star Jhonny Peralta is enjoying a breakout season in 2013"]
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Jhonny Peralta’s incredible improvement from last season has been one of the biggest surprises of the year for Tigers fans. Well, the cause for that improvement has become more and more obvious in the past few days, and it was time for another season-saving move late in July. With the possibilities of a 50-game suspension for Peralta and putting Ramon Santiago in the everyday lineup hanging over his head, Dombrowski relented his hold over talented outfielder Avisail Garcia and picked up one of the best young shortstops in baseball.
Iglesias has been called the best fielding shortstop since Omar Vizquel and Ozzie Smith by executives in the Tigers’ front office. He has range to both sides and a strong throwing arm that he displayed while playing third base in Boston this year. Though he’s played every infield position but first base this season, his home is obviously at shortstop.
With this move, Dombrowski continued his trend of acquiring players for the long-term in the middle of the season. At the last two trade deadlines, Doug Fister, Omar Infante and Anibal Sanchez have all joined the Tigers as long-term pieces. Iglesias figures to be the latest addition to this list, as the Tigers would rather avoid the steroid-free Jhonny Peralta they saw in 2012 and go with a young stud.
[caption id="attachment_476" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Jose Iglesias is renowned for his superior defensive abilities"]
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Iglesias does have a weakness, as all players do, which is why the Tigers were able to acquire him. He has been called “light-hitting” and “offensively challenged” by skeptics in Boston and gotten about every offensive insult in the book, which tends to happen to players that excel on defensive. That being said, Iglesias hit .330 in 63 games with the Red Sox this year. The Boston faithful must be used to a special kind of offense if they are willing to part with a defensive wizard hitting like that. His true offensive weakness is in the power department, as he has hit only two total homeruns in parts of three Major League seasons, but if he can find a way to get on base for players like Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder, he doesn't need to hit the ball out of the park.
All things considered, Iglesias would obviously be a vast improvement over Ramon Santiago as starting shortstop for the remainder of the season, should Peralta be suspended. If the statistic WAR actually measured “Wins Above Replacement,” Iglesias would probably have new-era statisticians singing his praises across the country for hitting about twice as well average-wise as Santiago and surely committing fewer errors.
[caption id="attachment_477" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Jose Veras gives the Tigers a dependable bullpen arm to get the ball to Benoit"]
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As well as taking care of the future at shortstop, Dombrowski had to solidify the back end of the pitching staff. None of the Tigers’ bullpen pitchers are currently facing a suspension, but they almost always seem to be facing a trip to Toledo. Shaky pitching in the late innings prompted the Tigers to make a move with the Astros to get some help in the form of Jose Veras. Veras is more likely to be a rental for the Tigers, staying with the club for the remainder of his contract and then moving on to take a closer’s role elsewhere (the Tigers have a club option for 2014 on Veras).
Jim Leyland has already announced that Joaquin Benoit will remain the team’s closer because of his perfect conversion rate in the ninth inning so far. Even though he won’t be finishing games, Veras is a welcome addition to a bullpen that was featuring shaky right-handers far too often. If he can hit the strike zone and get the ball to Benoit on a regular basis, he will be an upgrade from Al Alburquerque and the young Bruce Rondon. His first outing already introduced Tigers fans to a new phenomenon called the “1-2-3 inning,” in which he retired the first three batters he faced. Veras fills the hole that was left when Octavio Dotel went down with an injury at the beginning of the year.
[caption id="attachment_478" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Outfield prospect Avisail Garcia will join the Chicago White Sox"]
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Despite the improvements, Tigers fans may be disappointed to see Avisail “Mini-Miguel” Garcia go to the division-rival White Sox; but with the needs of this year’s team and the crowded outfield in Detroit, Dombrowski made a great move. Austin Jackson and Andy Dirks are likely to stay in Tigers uniforms for a long time, and Torii Hunter will lock down
right field for at least another season. By the time there is an opening, the plan is that top-prospect Nick Castellanos will be ready to jump into that spot. Remember, to separate a team from a prospect like Iglesias, teams can’t offer the last man off the bench (Don Kelly) and hope to be taken seriously. To get great players, the Tigers had to trade a great prospect, and Dombrowski has earned the trust of the fans when moving major pieces.
The trade deadline has now officially passed and Dave Dombrowski has done it again. The Tigers have been one of the most active teams in the MLB this July and have proven their dedication to winning both now and in the future. Every year, more young, talented players come to the Motor City and don the English D. With a stronger bullpen and a backup plan for Peralta’s potential suspension, the 2013 Tigers seem poised for another deep playoff run.
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