Detroit Tigers Acquire Kody Eaves for Jefry Marte

The Detroit Tigers continue to make moves, as the team sent surplus corner infielder Jefry Marte to the Angels for minor league utility player Kody Eaves.

After only a season, it seems Jefry Marte’s time with the Detroit Tigers is up. The club recently announced on Twitter that Marte has been dealt to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for minor league infielder Kody Eaves.

During his lone season in Detroit, Marte hit .213 in a 33-game stint. That stint also included four doubles, four home runs, 11 RBI and eight walks compared to 22 strikeouts. The infielder posted a .284 on-base percentage and a .413 slugging percentage. His OPS was .697.

For his time with the Tigers, Marte posted a -0.1 WAR. His oWAR was 0.2 and his dWAR was -0.3.

The 24-year-old provided manager Brad Ausmus with a great deal of defensive flexibility. Marte was able to fill in at first base for the injured Miguel Cabrera while also being able to spell Nick Castellanos at third base. 

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A former Oakland farmhand, Marte showed some promise and a little pop with the Tigers. He was especially effective against left-handed pitching, hitting .270 with a .920 OPS in limited playing time. Marte also showed better in the minor leagues, hitting .275 with 15 home runs, 65 RBI, 25 doubles three triples and eight stolen bases in 95 contests.

Marte was designed for assignment in order to make room for the newly-signed Justin Upton.

With the Angels, the corner infielder will provide depth at both first and third base. He’ll backup Albert Pujols and Yunel Escobar among others.

In return for Marte, the Tigers acquired minor league infielder Kody Eaves.

Eaves, a former 16^th-round draft pick, is a career .262 hitter in four minor league seasons. The 22-year-old played at the Single-A level in 2015, hitting .248 with 17 doubles, 11 triples, 11 home runs, 71 RBI and 21 stolen bases. This comes on the heels of a 2014 campaign that saw the infielder hit .268 with 37 doubles, seven triples, 10 home runs, 45 RBI and 25 stolen bases. Needless to say, he can fill up the stat sheet.

While primarily a second baseman, Eaves has also logged innings at third base and shortstop.

It seems as though the newest member of the Detroit Tigers organization will start the season at the Double-A level in 2016. Per a tweet from the Detroit Free Press’ Anthony Fenech, general manager Al Avila announced that “Eaves will play at Double-A Erie this year.”

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Based on his recent production, Eaves could have some potential down the road. He’s blocked on the organizational depth chart by top prospects like JaCoby Jones, Dixon Machado and Zach Shepherd, but things could change if Eaves reaches the majors.