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Ranking The Detroit Tigers’ 6 Best Trades Since 2006

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Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
For nearly a decade now, the Detroit Tigers have been doing a lot of winning. Of course, they are still looking for their first World Series title since 1984, but they have won two pennants and four AL Central titles since the beginning of 2006. Over that same stretch, the Tigers have also come out smelling like roses in quite a few trades. So, without further ado, here are six of GM Dave Dombrowski's biggest winners since the Tigers returned to relevance.

For nearly a decade now, the Detroit Tigers have been doing a lot of winning. Of course, they are still looking for their first World Series title since 1984, but they have won two pennants and four AL Central titles since the beginning of 2006. Over that same stretch, the Tigers have also come out smelling like roses in quite a few trades. So, without further ado, here are six of GM Dave Dombrowski's biggest winners since the Tigers returned to relevance.

6. Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante, Jul. 23, 2012

6. Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante, Jul. 23, 2012 Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
In July of 2012, the Tigers acquired Anibal Sanchez and second baseman Omar Infante from the Miami Marlins in exchange for prospects Jacob Turner, Rob Brantly and Brian Flynn. The two clubs swapped draft picks as well. Sanchez was tremendous for the Tigers in the 2012 postseason, and he was one of the best pitchers in the league in 2013 after signing a five-year, $80 million deal to stay in Detroit. Infante, who also played with the Tigers from 2002-07, gave the team a huge upgrade at second base before leaving for the Kansas City Royals after 2013.

In July of 2012, the Tigers acquired Anibal Sanchez and second baseman Omar Infante from the Miami Marlins in exchange for prospects Jacob Turner, Rob Brantly and Brian Flynn. The two clubs swapped draft picks as well. Sanchez was tremendous for the Tigers in the 2012 postseason, and he was one of the best pitchers in the league in 2013 after signing a five-year, $80 million deal to stay in Detroit. Infante, who also played with the Tigers from 2002-07, gave the team a huge upgrade at second base before leaving for the Kansas City Royals after 2013.

5. Jhonny Peralta, Jul. 28, 2010

5. Jhonny Peralta, Jul. 28, 2010 Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
In July of 2010, the Tigers finally solved their shortstop problem by acquiring Jhonny Peralta and cash considerations from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for minor league pitching prospect Giovanni Soto. While the Indians had moved Peralta to third, the Tigers let him play his native shortstop, and he did a tremendous job for 3.5 years before moving on to the St. Louis Cardinals.

In July of 2010, the Tigers finally solved their shortstop problem by acquiring Jhonny Peralta and cash considerations from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for minor league pitching prospect Giovanni Soto. While the Indians had moved Peralta to third, the Tigers let him play his native shortstop, and he did a tremendous job for 3.5 years before moving on to the St. Louis Cardinals.

4. Ian Kinsler, Nov. 20, 2013

4. Ian Kinsler, Nov. 20, 2013 Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
In November of 2013, the Tigers sent Prince Fielder and $30 million to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Ian Kinsler. The move greatly enhanced Detroit's flexibility, both financially and on the field. The Tigers were able to move superstar Miguel Cabrera back home to first base and plug top prospect Nick Castellanos in at third. Plus, Kinsler made an All-Star team in his first year in Motown, and he is off to another good start in 2015.

In November of 2013, the Tigers sent Prince Fielder and $30 million to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Ian Kinsler. The move greatly enhanced Detroit's flexibility, both financially and on the field. The Tigers were able to move superstar Miguel Cabrera back home to first base and plug top prospect Nick Castellanos in at third. Plus, Kinsler made an All-Star team in his first year in Motown, and he is off to another good start in 2015.

3. Max Scherzer, Austin Jackson, Phil Coke and Daniel Schlereth, Dec. 8, 2009

3. Max Scherzer, Austin Jackson, Phil Coke and Daniel Schlereth, Dec. 8, 2009 Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
In December of 2009, the acquired Max Scherzer, Austin Jackson, Phil Coke and Daniel Schlereth in a three-way deal, sending Edwin Jackson and fan-favorite Curtis Granderson to the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees respectively. While Granderson went on to put up a couple of 40-homer seasons with the Yankees, the Tigers were able to watch Scherzer grow into the 2013 AL Cy Young award winner. While the Tigers no longer have any of the players they acquired in that deal, they were able to benefit from it for years.

In December of 2009, the acquired Max Scherzer, Austin Jackson, Phil Coke and Daniel Schlereth in a three-way deal, sending Edwin Jackson and fan-favorite Curtis Granderson to the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees respectively. While Granderson went on to put up a couple of 40-homer seasons with the Yankees, the Tigers were able to watch Scherzer grow into the 2013 AL Cy Young award winner. While the Tigers no longer have any of the players they acquired in that deal, they were able to benefit from it for years.

2. Doug Fister and David Pauley, Jul. 30, 2011

2. Doug Fister and David Pauley, Jul. 30, 2011 Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
In July of 2011, the Tigers made an excellent move in acquiring Doug Fister along with relief pitcher David Pauley from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Casper Wells, Francisco Martinez, Charlie Furbush and a player to be named later (which turned out to be Chance Ruffin.) Although Justin Verlander was in the midst of his famous Cy Young/MVP award-winning season at the time, the Tigers still needed rotation help, and Fister delivered just that, going 8-1 with a 1.79 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP over 70.1 innings. He was also great for the Tigers between 2012-13 before being dealt to the Washington Nationals.

In July of 2011, the Tigers made an excellent move in acquiring Doug Fister along with relief pitcher David Pauley from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Casper Wells, Francisco Martinez, Charlie Furbush and a player to be named later (which turned out to be Chance Ruffin.) Although Justin Verlander was in the midst of his famous Cy Young/MVP award-winning season at the time, the Tigers still needed rotation help, and Fister delivered just that, going 8-1 with a 1.79 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP over 70.1 innings. He was also great for the Tigers between 2012-13 before being dealt to the Washington Nationals.

1. Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis, Dec. 4, 2007

1. Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis, Dec. 4, 2007 Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Back in December of 2007, most Tigers fans likely remember exactly where they were when it was first reported that Detroit had acquired Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from the then-Florida Marlins for a package of six prospects headlined by Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin. While Willis never did much after that and Miller is now an elite reliever with the Yankees, bringing the best hitter in the game and a future Hall-of-Famer in Cabrera to Detroit is easily the best move of the Dombrowski-era.

Back in December of 2007, most Tigers fans likely remember exactly where they were when it was first reported that Detroit had acquired Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from the then-Florida Marlins for a package of six prospects headlined by Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin. While Willis never did much after that and Miller is now an elite reliever with the Yankees, bringing the best hitter in the game and a future Hall-of-Famer in Cabrera to Detroit is easily the best move of the Dombrowski-era.

Brad Faber is a writer for RantSports. Like him on Facebook.
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