Devon Travis to Blue Jays: Latest Trade Details, Scouting Report and Reaction

Continuing their busy day of moves, the Detroit Tigers agreed to a trade sending second-base prospect Devon Travis to the Toronto Blue Jays for outfielder Anthony Gose.

Fox Sports' Jon Morosi first reported details of the trade:

Travis, 23, was arguably the best prospect in the Tigers organization. Selected in the 13th round of the 2012 draft, Travis has flashed a plus bat and above-average defensive skills at every level. The former Florida State standout hit .298/.358/.460 with 10 home runs, 52 RBI and 16 stolen bases while playing for the Double-A Erie SeaWolves in 2014. 

In his two full minor league seasons, Travis has hit 26 home runs and driven in 128 runs while flashing good range at second base. Baseball America's Ben Badler ranked Travis the best prospect in Detroit's organization earlier this month, though that distinction is somewhat couched by the Tigers' depleted system.

"It's something that's pretty cool to see," Travis told Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press. "But at the same time, it's something that means absolutely nothing."

The timing of Travis' trade is strange given the organization asked him to begin a transition to the outfield this winter. Ian Kinsler is under contract through at least the 2017 season (the Tigers have a team option for 2018), and the touted Hernan Perez also occupies a middle-infield spot. Travis played three games in center field last season and seemed willing to make the transition.

"It's something that I look at as an opportunity to broaden my horizons and a chance that I'm thankful for," Travis told Fenech. "It's just another chance to live my dreams."

Acquiring Gose indicates the Tigers were more concerned with having someone who is big league ready rather than a project. Gose, 24, has been an intermittent fixture on the Blue Jays roster since 2012. Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star provided his assessment of Gose:

One of Toronto's best prospects since being traded to the organization in 2010, Gose's time in the majors has been less-than-impressive. He has a career slash line of .234/.301/.332 across 552 at bats, flashing minimal power (five home runs) and doing most of his damage (36 steals) with his legs.

Ben Margot/Associated Press

The Tigers likely acquired Gose with hopes of improving their shaky defense. Gose was mostly solid last season after shaky performances in 2012 and 2013, building almost the entirety of his 1.1 wins above replacement on the defensive side, per FanGraphs. Detroit has long been one of baseball's worst defensive teams and cost its pitchers 65 runs in 2014, per FanGraphs' defensive-runs-saved metric.

While Gose is still young, the Tigers have to cross their fingers and hope he pans out as a solid platoon. If not, they've wasted one of their few solid prospects on someone who will struggle to see the field.

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