Detroit Tigers: Steven Moya Makes Anthony Gose Expendable

Moya’s Debut

Steven Moya is back at the Major League level, and if all goes to plan, he could stick with the team. The outfielder has always been touted as a top prospect due to his raw power. Given playing time, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the 24-year-old eventually slug 40 home runs in a season—he has that kind of pop.

The slugger struggled last season in Triple-A, producing just a .240 batting average, 20 home runs, 74 RBI and 162 strikeouts in just 126 games. However, he seems to have turned a corner this season.

In 31 games for Toledo in 2016, Moya bumped his batting average to .310, to go along with 24 RBI, 23 runs scored, 11 doubles, nine home runs and a triple. The fact that he struck out 29 times in 31 games isn’t going to do him any favors, but it marks a significant improvement over last season.

Some of this is clearly due to Moya’s new, wider batting stance. The altered stance is clearing working, as evidenced by the significant improvement shown at the plate.

While the former top prospect did strike out twice in his debut, one punch out came on a 2-2 pitch that Moya looked at for strike three. That pitch was borderline, and you can’t fault the hitter for taking it.

The left-handed hitter did collect two hits, including one that he threaded through the shift in his first at-bat of the season. Moya also displayed a strong arm when he threw home on a potential sacrifice fly.

2016 Outlook

While Moya showed well, he likely isn’t going to be a full-time starter all season. The Detroit Tigers acquired Cameron Maybin for a reason, to play center field. Once Maybin returns, he’ll take the starting job in center and shift Upton back to left.

However, that doesn’t mean Moya should head back to Toledo.

After destroying Triple-A pitching this season, the towering outfielder doesn’t have a whole lot, if anything, to prove in the minors.

Detroit should keep him around as a bench option.

Moya can serve as the backup to both Upton in left field, and J.D. Martinez in right field. On days when Maybin needs a day off, Moya can start in left while Upton slides over to center. Andrew Romine can also handle center field if need be.

Additionally, Moya would give Ausmus a potentially game-changing pinch hitter thanks to his ability to hit it out of the ball park. Saltalamacchia could have been that pinch hitter, but James McCann’s injury opened the door for more playing time for the former Marlin. Salty has played himself into more at-bats, and won’t strictly be a backup, leaving the bench thin.

Moya would be a significant offensive upgrade over the likes of Gose, Romine, Aviles, and potentially James McCann should Salty start more—which at this point, he probably should.

In Conclusion

So where does this leave Anthony Gose?

Probably on the outside looking in. Detroit could conceivably part with Mike Aviles when Maybin returns, but Gose seems more likely to go. Of the two utility players, Aviles can provide defensive cover at more positions. Additionally, the 25-year-old has minor league options left, while Aviles doesn’t. What’s more, it seems unlikely that Detroit would move on this quickly from Aviles.

Gose does bring value on the base paths, but Romine could replace him in that regard.

The Detroit Tigers have been hurt by a lack of a bench in recent seasons.

One reason for this is that the team has spent so heavily on a stellar offensive lineups and pitching staffs (see Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, Justin Upton, Jordan Zimmermann and Justin Verlander) that it can’t afford to invest in the bench.

This has left the team with a number of younger and cheaper—not to mention unproven—options off the bench. The likes of Hernan Perez, Tyler Collins and Bryan Holaday haven’t really gotten it done, Moya can be different and provide an impact. With his power, he’s the type of pinch-hitter/bench contributor that can potentially win the Tigers a few games before all is said and done this season.