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Detroit Pistons need to learn from Detroit Tigers’ past mistakes

By Aaron Ferguson

DETROIT, MI - JULY 28: (L-R) The Detroit Lions mascot Roary, Detroit Tigers mascot Paws and Detroit Pistons mascot Hooper stand together on the field during the National Anthem prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Houston Astros at Comerica Park on July 28, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Astros defeated the Tigers 6-5. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JULY 28: (L-R) The Detroit Lions mascot Roary, Detroit Tigers mascot Paws and Detroit Pistons mascot Hooper stand together on the field during the National Anthem prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Houston Astros at Comerica Park on July 28, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Astros defeated the Tigers 6-5. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Detroit Tigers Al Avila has waited too long to trade players. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Timing of trades

Things haven’t improved for the Tigers under new President Al Avila. His timing of trading away Tigers players to aid their rebuild and maximizing returns has been head-scratching.

In his first two full seasons, the Tigers went 64-98 and copied the same record in 2018. They’re trending to be far worse in year three, sitting on a 38-87 record.

The highlight of the Tigers rebuild happened this week, beating former ace Justin Verlander as the largest underdogs in MLB history. Verlander allowed two hits, solo home runs to Ronny Rodriguez and John Hicks, in a 2-1 Tigers win.

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    • But Verlander’s dominance in Houston is only one example of Avila’s lack of judgement for timing trades, evaluating talent and maximizing returns. Yet Avila received a two-year contract extension before the All-Star break.

    A quick summary of Avila’s moves is trading away 2011 Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, 2018 MVP candidate J.D. Martinez, Justin Upton, Alex Avila and Justin Wilson with only Dawel Lugo, Jake Rogers and Jeimer Candelario to show for it. At least, those are the players in the majors. The jury is still out on prospects such as Daz Cameron.

    That offseason, Kinsler was moved in the offseason for a package that was considered settling. After signing Mike Fiers, Avila moved him for a sub-par return while holding onto Nicholas Castellanos, who was having a breakout season and had peak value.

    Instead, Avila let catcher James McCann walk and a season later he’s an All-Star. Castellanos is hitting home runs on a nightly basis for the Chicago Cubs and his return was underwhelming compared to what could have been.

    Shane Greene is another player whose value could be maximized but, instead the Tigers had to settle for Travis Demeritte and Joey Wentz. The list will likely go on.

    While the Tigers disfunction in the front office could be documented further, it hammers home the point that the Pistons can’t settle for sub-par trade packages.

    How the Pistons can take note

    Evaluating Reggie Jackson's trade value. light. Related Story

    A lot will be determined by how the season is going as the trade deadline nears. Jackson and Drummond have expiring contracts. Several others have player options at the end of the season that could keep them in Detroit, but there are no guarantees.

    If the Pistons aren’t in contention, they can’t afford to let a player of Drummond’s caliber walk away for nothing. However, getting an extension done certainly changes the outlook of the franchise but there’s no indication of that happening.

    Jackson’s value can’t get much higher, coming off his first healthy season since 2015-16 and learning to play off the ball more. His expiring contract also adds value to opposing teams wishing to spend in free agency.

    Related Story. Should the Pistons offer Drummond a max contract?. light

    Drummond is coming off the best season of his career and an incredible stretch from February on. He averaged a career-best 17.3 points per game, had a career-high 23.4 PER and led the league in defensive win shares for a second straight season with 5.9. He’s been the league’s best rebounder in three of the last four seasons, too.

    The Pistons could get a great package for Drummond if they decided to move him.

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