Los Angeles Dodgers: Why Nicholas Castellanos is the perfect fit
By Jason Reed
2. Castellanos’ trade value is not through the roof
If the Detroit Tigers had a massive asking price for Castellanos like the Miami Marlins do with J.T. Realmuto then I would want the Los Angeles Dodgers to stay as far away from him as humanly possible.
However, the Tigers do not have a case for asking for a lot for Castellanos as he is on an expiring contract. While they will still get some prospects as a result, the Tigers know that his trade value is going to be significantly lower come July, which in turn, lowers his trade value in December and January.
The Tigers should be looking for young, controllable pieces as well as pieces to shore up the farm. Luckily, the Dodgers have a surplus in both of those areas and can give the Tigers a nice return that does not break the bank.
First and foremost, I would center the deal around Joc Pederson. The Tigers would be trading one year of a power-hitting outfielder for two years and could even flip Pederson or look to groom him and extend him after 2020.
Pederson did have a nice rebound year but his skill set is limiting, especially with the flexibility that the Dodgers have on the roster to run numerous platoons. Trading him for an everyday outfielder in Castellanos is an obvious upgrade.
The Dodgers would need to add more into the deal as well and should look to trade one of the prospects acquired from the Cincinnati Reds.
Pederson, Jeter Downs (seventh-ranked in the organization on MLB Pipeline) and Josh Sborz (26th-ranked) should be enough for Castellanos. Heck, I would even throw Yasiel Sierra into the deal. He is a young, promising right-handed pitcher that could be a piece to build around in Detroit.
The incentive to trade him for the Dodgers is because of his salary. The team is $5 million this season and $20 million over the next three years. He is promising, but has no space on this roster and is a waste of a $5 million cap hit.