Phillies Rumor: Tigers, Dodgers a Fit for Potential Three-Team Trade

Matt Klentak has been open to virtually everything this offseason

A trade scenario I brought up several weeks ago could actually become a reality. It sounds almost too good to be true, but if Matt Klentak can pull it off, I would be thrilled.

Cesar Hernandez has reportedly been on the trade block, and has drawn interest during the Winter Meetings. The Angels have been linked to Hernandez, but their farm system is so bad, they can not afford him.

But a potential three-team trade between the Dodgers, Tigers, and Phillies could benefit all three teams not just this year, but long-term.

A deal virtually identical to my own would look like this: Tigers acquire Cesar Hernandez; Phillies acquire J.D. Martinez; Dodgers acquire Ian Kinsler.

Now obviously there would be prospects involved in this potential deal, but it makes sense in several ways. The Dodgers need a second baseman, and are ready to win now. Detroit needs to clear an extraordinary amount of salary, which makes Martinez, who will soon hit free agency, a trade candidate. The Phillies have Howie Kendrick currently listed as their starting left fielder, but naturally he is a second baseman.

For Philadelphia, Martinez would be the everyday right fielder, and provide a potent bat in the middle of the lineup. Kendrick would move back to second base, and Roman Quinn can battle Aaron Altherr for the left field job.

Martinez hit .307 last season with 22 home runs for the Tigers, and had even better power numbers the season prior. With 38 home runs, Martinez received his share of MVP votes after a terrific all-star season.

Could the Phillies pull of this type of move? Considering the Tigers need to get younger and clear salary cap, trading Kinsler and Martinez makes sense. Philadelphia has minor league depth at second base with Scott Kingery and Jesmuel Valentin. Los Angeles needs an all-star second baseman. If Klentak can pull off this deal and potentially swap some lower-level prospects around, he should absolutely pull the trigger.