Trade Austin Jackson??

[jake]

Jackson seems like he'd have alot of value. The only reason DD wouldn't consider a deal for Jackson is pride over the Granderson deal. We have alot of OF's and Dirks and Wells could be a nice platoon out in CF.

[Shelton]

Yes, please.

[jaymo]

Borsch and Jackson have value because they are cost controlled. While it is counter-intuitive to trade these types of players, your trading partner needs to get something in the deal. I could see either one in a trade.

Whenever they scratch Jackson I predict a trade on twitter- to the annoyance of my vast network of followers. If I keep doing that for 8 or 9 years I'll probably eventually be right.

[Antrat]

Nobody would be dumb enough to trade anything of value for Jackson......umm....uh oh.

[MSUBrian11]

I would consider trading him. I don't think he is going to be any better than a .260 hitter, with 6-8 homers a season, and with 160+ K's. Maybe Dombrowski can trade him for a reliever in the off-season

[Freehan_1968]

Oliver and Crosby and Jackson for Carlos Beltran.

Turner and ? and ? and ? for Jiminez.

Deal, or no deal?



Boesch - LF
Beltran - CF
Ordonez - RF
Peralta - SS
Guillen - 2B
Cabrera - 1B
Avila - C
Martinez - DH

"black hole" - 3B

Verlander
Jiminez
Scherzer
Porcello
Penny

Oliveros
Albuquerque
Coke
Furbush
Purcey

Benoit
Valverde


bench:

Santiago
Kelly
Wells
Dirks

[baseball3]

Agreed!

He's not what everyone hopes for.

[MSUBrian11]

Austin Jackson = Nook Logan

[Hart]

I am surprised so many fans are putting Jackson on the trade block right now. I don't think Jackson is a guy we should be looking to deal. No player is off limits if the right deal comes along but given how baseball seems to be favoring pitching and defense more these days, I like having an elite defensive center fielder.

I do agree though that Jackson and Boesch are two guys that hold value for this team to get a return of some quality pitching. No way would I trade Jackson for Beltran though.

[Walt]

I think Jackson's biggest problem is that he is not Curtis Granderson.

If you can get appropriate value for him, great. Make a trade if it improves the club. That being said, I think he is better than he gets credit for here. He is better than Nook Logan, and should not be traded for a RP. Also, I think that Beltran is a corner OF going forward, so it wouldn't make much sense to trade AJax for him.

[tiger paw paw]

I think Jackson's biggest problem is that he is not Curtis Granderson.

If you can get appropriate value for him, great. Make a trade if it improves the club. That being said, I think he is better than he gets credit for here. He is better than Nook Logan, and should not be traded for a RP. Also, I think that Beltran is a corner OF going forward, so it wouldn't make much sense to trade AJax for him.

Right on with everything. The thing is I am not sure trading him improves the club. Jackson was pressed into the lead off role 2 years early and because he had some quick success, his learning curve is seen by may as a flaw. He is + defensively and has the tools to be a good hitter/contributor, even if it is from the lower half of the lineup. The real problem is we can't hide him while he learns while we are trying to hide 2 other 600 lb gorillas at the bottom of our lineup. His salary is also a help, not a hindrance like some alternatives may be.

Beltran's days in center are over, especially a cf like comerica...

[The Truman Show]

Austin Jackson isn't getting traded because he doesn't have any value. Where would it come from? He's not exactly oozing with offensive potential. His contact issues prevent him from getting overrated as a Juan Pierre-type guy. I think the power could show up and will show up at some point, but that's really just a hunch and I doubt I could convince someone on that.

The DD stuff is nonsense. DD clearly doesn't care that much about sticking up for this old decisions, given the way he's bailed on Sizemore and Rhymes this season.

His profile as a mediocre hitter who is fast in CF is not a profile that is uncommon. CFs don't generate a lot in trades because for whatever reason, teams rarely struggle to develop them. Just go down the list of teams; only Toronto in the AL has what would be considered a hole in CF worth fillling. NL has Washington, and maybe Atlanta if they really are sick of McLouth. Are any of those three teams going to give back something worth having? Not likely.

I mean heck, look at how easily a team could have had Melky Cabrera in the offseason. I think Austin Jackson is a better player than Melky, but only by a little bit. Melky got signed by an awful team for 1.25 mil.

[Nastradamus]

I wouldn't trade Jackson as I don't think we'd get value. The only way I'd do it is as part of a package for someone like Rasmus or Justin Upton, maybe even BJ.

[MSUBrian11]

I wouldn't trade Jackson as I don't think we'd get value. The only way I'd do it is as part of a package for someone like Rasmus or Justin Upton, maybe even BJ.

You'd trade Austin Jackson for a BJ? Not sure if that would be fair value, who is the girl?

[chasfh]

I am surprised so many fans are putting Jackson on the trade block right now. I don't think Jackson is a guy we should be looking to deal. No player is off limits if the right deal comes along but given how baseball seems to be favoring pitching and defense more these days, I like having an elite defensive center fielder.

I do agree though that Jackson and Boesch are two guys that hold value for this team to get a return of some quality pitching. No way would I trade Jackson for Beltran though.

I'm not surprised at all, because Austin Jackson is a bit below average RIGHT NOW, which apparently is the issue for people eager to dump him.

It's just like last year when Jackson was having an ROY year, and people thought Austin Jackson was a steal for Curtis Granderson because Jackson was doing well AT THAT TIME, and Granderson was struggling AT THAT TIME. Because people's expectations and evaluations are rooted in the present moment.

Step back and look at Jackson's year, and you'll see he is on par for a 2-3 WAR year, a starter's level, at age 24 on a contending team. Look at his strengths, and you see he's got plus speed, plus CF defensive abilities, good baserunning skills, and decent power.

Yes, he has a flawed approach to the plate and must learn to take more walks and strike out less. At age 24, that's still a learnable skill. If he fixes that, he's a multiple-time All-Star. If not, I think he's at worst a consistent 2-3 WAR player, which is not a terrible thing.

I'm not saying I would never entertain a trade offer for Jackson, but I also think the last thing we should do is knee-jerk trade him when his value has is at a low point. That's what bad teams do.

[Cecil]

Yikes after a sophomore slump people want Jackson out the door. I have been critical of Dombrowski but then I read some fans responses and am glad we have a somewhat rational GM.

[DET Mr Malefic]

I think Jackson's biggest problem is that he is not Curtis Granderson.

If you can get appropriate value for him, great. Make a trade if it improves the club. That being said, I think he is better than he gets credit for here. He is better than Nook Logan, and should not be traded for a RP. Also, I think that Beltran is a corner OF going forward, so it wouldn't make much sense to trade AJax for him.

Dirks and Wells can both play CF, Wells especially. Taking them out of the corners and putting Beltran in it will be a step down defensively but it won't represent a gaping defensive black hole.

[DaYooperASBDT]

Sure. If we get Matt Kemp in return!

[jake]

Dirks and Wells project out as better players than Jackson, especially as a platoon. It solidifies the roster. It opens up playing time for 3-4 players and Jackson could be part of a deal that nets the starting pitching we are going to need to make the playoffs.

[DaYooperASBDT]

I like me some Andy Dirks.

[itsallgood8989]

Dirks and Wells project out as better players than Jackson, especially as a platoon. It solidifies the roster. It opens up playing time for 3-4 players and Jackson could be part of a deal that nets the starting pitching we are going to need to make the playoffs.

Where did you see projections that made either Dirks or Wells better than Jackson?

I'm pretty sure that isn't accurate wherever you saw that.

[jake]

That was my own personal projection. While I love Jacksons defense and speed, his inability to make contact makes him a liability. I really like Dirks and Wells is solid. Jackson has alot to like. . .but I'd test the market with our lack of pitching.

[Los Gatos]

While age isn't everything, I think it's worth noting that Jackson is 2+ years younger than Wells and a year younger than Dirks. I believe with additional experience and hopefully effective coaching direction, he'll be a terrific 2-way CF for years, and I feel we'd regret a Jackson trade down the road as I do if Porcello was dealt.

I like Wells and Dirks a lot, too. With those 3 and Boesch, and Maggs the rest of this season, I'm very comfortable with our OF.

[RatkoVarda]

Atlanta is getting nothing offensively or defensively out of McLouth or Schafer, and they are very LH.
AJax + something else for LHP Mike Minor would work for me.

[jake]

---

Atlanta is getting nothing offensively or defensively out of McLouth or Schafer, and they are very LH.
AJax + something else for LHP Mike Minor would work for me.

They'd probably take that deal. While Minor fits in a deal like that, Beachey (sp??) is the real gem. Atlanta's defense is horrible. Jackson would be a difference maker for them. McClouth is a decent outfielder but he's no Jackson. Schafer is suspect.

[Eric Cioe]

If Atlanta would do Minor for Jackson I'd do that in a heartbeat. But I doubt they would.

[The Truman Show]

Frank Wren would get drug tested after that deal.

[STLTiger69]

+1 on the lets not panic and trade Jackson just yet.

Pretty much every player struggles and has down years. Look at another really good outfielder named Tori Hunter, 1999 he hit .255, 2000 he hit .280, 2001 he hit .261, 2002 he hit .289 then back to .250 for 2003. Tori hit .291 last year and is hitting .239 this year. And if you want Tori Hunter, he's making $18M for the 2011 season.

Carlos Betran first three years were interesting, he hit .297 in 1999 and then hit .247 in 2000 but he seemed to turn out ok over a 14 season career. Beltran is hitting .287 this year (coming off of last season's .255 BA) and Beltran is making $18.5M this year.

I remember how just last year when Alex Avila hit .228 just last year everybody was going crazy saying the Tigers should go out and spend the farm on free agent catcher John Buck (.281 Avg, 20 HR's and 66 RBI's for Toronto in 2010) because that Avila kid was trash and would never be playing in the major leagues if his Daddy wasn't around. Just one year later a funny thing happened, 2011 All Star catcher Alex Avila is hitting .287 Avg, 10 HR's and 46 RBI's and throwing out 34% of attemped base stealers and John Buck is hitting .227 Avg, 10 HR's 33 RBI's and he's thrown out 18% of attempted base stealers (V-Mart is catching 22% of base stealers in case your wondering). But here's the best part, Avila is costing the Tigers $425k per year, Buck is costing Florida $4.5M with another $12M due Buck for the 2012 and 2013 seasons ($6M per year). Avila will not be arbitration elgible until 2013 and a free agent until 2016. Where's all the Avila haters now?!?

I'll also put it in writing that Jackson's ability to cover center field is one of the best I've seen in just about any player in baseball right now, hands down. I do want to strangle (joking!) Rod Allen sometimes for the odd things he says but he made a really good point when he asked out loud, "How often do you see Jackson have to slide to make a catch?" Jackson can litterally can outrun a baseball to centerfield if it has any hangtime at all. I'm not taking anything away from Dirks or Granderson or Nook Logan, I'm just saying honestly that Jackson is better than any of them.

To me, I hope the Tigers continue to show patience with Jackson and see what happens. Jackson like Avila will not be arbitration elgible until 2013 and will not be elgible to be a free agent until 2016. Currently Jackson's salary is costing the Tigers $440K for the 2011 season. Take a deep breath, all will be well......

[The Truman Show]

Jackson will be arbitration eligible after this season as a Super 2 player. At least, I'm pretty sure he will be.

[STLTiger69]

"Austin Jackson Arb Eligible: 2013, Free Agent: 2016"

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pl...acksau01.shtml

Truman Show: I'm sure they would apprecate your correction!

[The Truman Show]

They won't update him as a super 2 on B-R until he's announced as one.

[Gehringer_2]

No comparison between what Jackson can reach and what Dirks or Wells get to. From a defensive standpoint, those two are pretty nice corner OFs, but nothing to be excited about as CFs.

[The Truman Show]

Actually, maybe he isn't super 2.

Yeah I don't know. Forget I said anything about it.


Anyhoo, trading Austin Jackson doesn't mean you're giving up on the guy. Teams trade players with the recognition that they are giving up a good player plenty of times. If you can fill the gap and the return is worth it, sometimes you just got to pull the trigger. For example, if there really is a Minor or Beachy for Jackson trade offered, they gotta take that deal.

[STLTiger69]

Brandon Beachy might be worth kicking around a trade for, but Minor?
Are we talking the same left handed Mike Minor from the Braves?

The career 4 wins and 4 losses pitcher with a 5.35 ERA over 16 games and 15 starts and hitters are hitting .290 against this year and left handed hitters are only hitting .450 off of with a WHIP of 1.59 this year (slightly more than 3 base runners per two innings...)- Mike Minor? That guy?!?

I'm just sayin' maybe Beachy but I don't think the Minor trade is a go... that's all....

[RatkoVarda]

Brandon Beachy might be worth kicking around a trade for, but Minor?
Are we talking the same left handed Mike Minor from the Braves?

The career 4 wins and 4 losses pitcher with a 5.35 ERA over 16 games and 15 starts and hitters are hitting .290 against this year and left handed hitters are only hitting .450 off of with a WHIP of 1.59 this year (slightly more than 3 base runners per two innings...)- Mike Minor? That guy?!?

I'm just sayin' maybe Beachy but I don't think the Minor trade is a go... that's all....

Minor was the #7 pick of the 09 draft, 2 spots ahead of Turner. Don't look at ERA; his advanced numbers in the minors and the majors have been very good. As Truman points out, AJax for Minor would be too one-sided, which is why I wrote AJax + something else. Of course, all my proposed trades always favor the Tigers (and none of them have gone through yet).

Also, he is LH and the same age as Oliver (23), but unlike Oliver, he can throw strikes.

[Shelton]

I would trade Jackson as soon as possible for anything of value.

[toadhunter911]

I'm not surprised at all, because Austin Jackson is a bit below average RIGHT NOW, which apparently is the issue for people eager to dump him.

It's just like last year when Jackson was having an ROY year, and people thought Austin Jackson was a steal for Curtis Granderson because Jackson was doing well AT THAT TIME, and Granderson was struggling AT THAT TIME. Because people's expectations and evaluations are rooted in the present moment.

Step back and look at Jackson's year, and you'll see he is on par for a 2-3 WAR year, a starter's level, at age 24 on a contending team. Look at his strengths, and you see he's got plus speed, plus CF defensive abilities, good baserunning skills, and decent power.

Yes, he has a flawed approach to the plate and must learn to take more walks and strike out less. At age 24, that's still a learnable skill. If he fixes that, he's a multiple-time All-Star. If not, I think he's at worst a consistent 2-3 WAR player, which is not a terrible thing.

I'm not saying I would never entertain a trade offer for Jackson, but I also think the last thing we should do is knee-jerk trade him when his value has is at a low point. That's what bad teams do.

Excellent post. Thank you.

[toadhunter911]

Dirks and Wells project out as better players than Jackson, especially as a platoon. It solidifies the roster. It opens up playing time for 3-4 players and Jackson could be part of a deal that nets the starting pitching we are going to need to make the playoffs.

Really? By who?

edit; Never mind. I just saw your reply to another poster who asked the same questions. Crazy talk...

[itsallgood8989]

I would trade Jackson as soon as possible for anything of value.

I'm really surprised to hear you say this shelton... I know what a fan Of Ajax you are.....

[Shelton]

I also think dirks and wells project as better players. They can both hit for power unlike Jackson. Their walks and strikeouts are also a tad better, but I would need to double check that. Jackson is a slightly better defender and has slightly better speed, but I don't think that makes up for his inferior hitting skills.