Following the Tigers’ decisions to exercise closer Francisco Rodriguez’s option and to trade center fielder Cameron Maybin to the Angels for pitcher Victor Alcantara, the team issued a statement with quotes from GM Avila. In the wake of Maybin’s departure, the team will sort through various options at center field next season, Avila says.
“We will weigh our options as far as center field is concerned for next season,” says the GM. “There will be a wide open competition starting in the spring and we’ll see how it plays out.”
The team’s options at center field could include JaCoby Jones, Tyler Collins and Anthony Gose. All three, though, come with drawbacks. Jones mostly played infield in the minors, has limited experience above Double-A and batted just .243/.309/.356 while striking out in 29.9% of his plate appearances at Triple-A Toledo last year. Collins posted a .687 OPS for Detroit last season and fared even worse at Toledo. And Gose also failed to hit, batting .209/.287/.341 in the big leagues in 2016. In contrast, Maybin’s 2016 season was a highly successful one, and it appears the Tigers will miss his .383 OBP in particular. Avila’s comments don’t preclude the possibility that the Tigers could expand their search for a center fielder outside the organization, however.
Regarding Rodriguez, Avila says, “We liked the job K-Rod did last season and the numbers show he was a reliable closer for us. He stabilizes the back end of our bullpen and provides veteran leadership to our younger bullpen arms.” The 34-year-old K-Rod figures to close for the Tigers next season, unless the Tigers decide to put him on the trade market.
Bahahahahaha Anthony Gose Bahahaha – that the funniest joke I’ve heard today
JaCoby will win it with Collins being the backup
Wanna hear a better joke? Anthony Gose for Devon Travis
No…that’s just sad
They both stink.
I can’t believe Gose is still just 26 years old.
good pickup for the angels
The Maybin deal reminds me of the low return salary-dump Fister trade a few years ago.
That was a great trade for Detroit. They got Robbie ray for foster. The only mistake they made was trading ray away.
One of the few Tigers who could score from first on a double or from second on a base hit. Maybin was actually one of the main sparks on offense, but was injury prone.
Tigers should look into getting rid of V. Mart and sell high on Verlander after last season. I would like to see the Mets make a move on Miguel Cabrera for a injured starter and a couple of prospects. Seems like Detroit is in fire sell mode.
First, Verlander, Cabrera, and V-Mart all have no trade clauses. Second, due to their contracts, even if they consented, no team is going to give up comparable value for them. How many teams can absorb a 25MM or 30MM salary AND give up prospects?? That’s why a Maybin had to be traded. They are limited in where they can cut.
Lol as if the Tigers will just give away Cabrera for Matz and a couple prospects.
They aren’t in fire sale mode- and jv and miggy have no trade clauses. Highly unlikely they get traded.
Can Miguel still play first?
Miggy still plays first quite well.
how about tyler lyons, luke weaver, harrison bader and the cards take on all the payroll?
Mozeliak should get fired if he does that trade. The Cabrera contract is 2 years away from being horrible.
Pretty sure that one was a joke.
He’s been a gold glove finalist for a couple years now.
Maybin is a better player than Collins, Gose or Jones. Collins is a fourth outfielder with inadequate range for Comerica Park. Jones won’t make enough contact to stay on the 25 man roster. Gose is a head case who isn’t good enough to play anyway.
Still I don’t blame Avila for passing. The blank check days are over. Maybin is only worth the money if he can stay on the field and he can’t.
Maybe the pitcher Alcantara will make the team. There’s room in the pen. If he does its a bonus.
That’s money saved to pay JDM.
I honestly think they need to trade JD- they need to get younger, and JD only has one year of control left
Detroit has to cut payroll somewhere, but these CF options are terrible. I wonder if they tried to move Upton and found it impossible. Teams probably want them to eat a lot of that salary.
Tigers might consider Ben Revere. 2016 might have been an aberration and it doesn’t look like he fits in the Nats plans for 2017.
Agreed! You never know if he’ll go back to the guy who led the NL in hits. Worst case scenario, the Tigers would have someone who can cover Comerica’s center effectively.
Revere is the best defensive OF in MLB.
Ben Revere can only play LF because he has a 3 arm. Base runners will go 1st to 3rd on every hit to CF if he plays out there. With Comerica parks spacious CF, Tigers need to go with who the best defender is and let whatever he hits be a added bonus.
They already took that approach with Jose at SS. Can’t sacrifice another bat for defense only