The Detroit Tigers have had an on-again, off-again relationship with Cameron Maybin since he first arrived in the Motor City in 2007, but they’ve parted ways with the outfielder again, trading him to the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com.
The Detroit Free Press‘ Anthony Fenech and Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal both reported the Angels plan to pick up Maybin’s $9 million club option for 2017.
According to the Orange County Register‘s Jeff Fletcher, the Angels will send right-handed pitcher Victor Alcantara to the Tigers in exchange for Maybin.
ESPN The Magazine‘s Buster Olney provided two reasons that fueled the Angels’ desire to make a deal:
Thursday marks the second time in as many offseasons that Maybin has been moved, with last year’s trade from the Atlanta Braves to the Tigers representing a welcome change of scenery.
Maybin proceeded to experience a career year that saw him post a slash line of .315/.383/.418 with four home runs and 43 RBI. Maybin also stole 15 bases—marking the fourth time in his career that he has cracked 15 swipes.
Thanks to his resurgence at the plate, Maybin tallied a career-best 3.1 offensive wins above replacement—which ranked fourth among all Tigers behind Miguel Cabrera, Ian Kinsler and J.D. Martinez.
As for Maybin’s defensive future in L.A., Rosenthal reported the early expectation is that he will be stationed in left field beside Mike Trout.
Maybin represents an immediate upgrade in left field after Rafael Ortega, Daniel Nava and Nick Buss served as a three-pronged platoon for the Angels throughout the 2016 season, but he will need to stay healthy for the investment to be worth it.
Maybin appeared in only 94 of 162 games last year because of wrist, shoulder, thumb and quad injuries, and he made just 95 appearances for the San Diego Padres in 2014.
But if Maybin staves off the medical woes and stays hot at the plate, the Angels could have a bargain on their hands as they try to return to the postseason for the first time since 2014.
Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.
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