The Detroit Tigers have announced Friday they have acquired outfielder Cameron Maybin from the Atlanta Braves. Detroit will send Ian Krol and Gabe Speier both left-handed pitchers, in exchange for the 28-year-old veteran. The Tigers recently traded for Closer Francisco Rodriguez this week.
Jeff Tod of MLB Trade Rumors reports Maybin was a first round pick in 2005, he was actually drafted by the Tigers, but has since played for the Marlins, Padres and Braves. In 2015 Maybin was inconsistent and was subsequetnly dealt to the Brave from the Padres as part of the Craig Kimbrel deal. Maybin finished the 2015 season with a .267 batting average, 10 home runs and 23 steals in 555 plate appearances.
The Tigers will reportedly absorb Maybin’s extension that he signed with the Padres. Maybin is contracted through the 2016 season for $8 million with a club option of $9 million for 2017, and a buy-out $1 million. For the Braves, the move has been assumed to be motivated by saving money. Maybin may share some time with fellow center fielder Anthony Gose, stepping into a role that now free agent, Rajai Davis, filled last season.
Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press claims that Ian Krol throws hard, but had control issues in his two seasons with Detroit. Kroll pitched in 78 games finishing the season with a 5.34 ERA and 1.69 WHIP. Gabe Speier was only acquired by the Tigers last year in a deal for Rick Porcello. Speier played in Single-A West Michigan in 2015, finishing with a 3.86 ERA in 33 games.
“Cameron Maybin is a good outfielder with plenty of experience in Centerfield,” Tigers new GM Al Avila stated. “He is coming off a solid offensive season in 2015 and brings speed and athleticism to our club.”
It is reported that the Tigers have filled two of their three obvious needs with Maybin and K-Rod. The Tigers are now expected to spend their off-season trying to fulfill their last and arguably biggest need, starting pitching.
