Detroit Tigers Sign Alex Presley to Minor League Deal

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila made a move on Saturday. While it wasn’t of the blockbuster variety, it could pay dividends later. Detroit signed outfielder Alex Presley to a minors deal.

Detroit Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez remains on the disabled list. While Martinez will be back sooner rather than later, the Tigers outfield depth has been exposed with his injury. Steven Moya has filled in brilliantly, hitting .277 with 11 RBI, nine runs scored, five home runs, four doubles and two triples in 24 games. However, after him there is a significant drop off.

Mike Aviles has continued to share time in right field with Moya and has continued to struggle. The utility player owns a meager .263 on-base percentage on the season.

Perhaps the most telling stat is that he’s failed to surpass Anthony Gose‘ paltry numbers despite 19 more at-bats. Gose collected seven RBI, two doubles, two triples and two home runs in 91 at-bats. Aviles has just six runs driven in, a pair of doubles and one home run in 110 at-bats.

The reality of the situation is that Aviles was probably the best option available to the Tigers at the time. Detroit’s other outfielders in the high minors have struggled immensely this season. JaCoby Jones is still adjusting to the Triple-A level, while Wynton Bernard, Tyler Collins and Anthony Gose all own on-base percentages under .290.

In a move to bolster the team’s depth, the Tigers have inked outfielder Alex Presley to a minor-league contract. The team’s official PR Twitter account announced the move on Saturday afternoon. 

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The 30-year-old Presley broke into the Majors with Pittsburgh in 2010, and soon made a positive impact with the team, hitting .298 with 22 extra-base hits, 20 RBI and nine stolen bases in just 52 games. The outfielder has only hit .242 since, but he can still provide value as a bench piece.

Presley can obviously bring some pop to the lineup in limited playing time. What’s more, he also has significant experience at all three outfield spots.

That defensive flexibility could be extremely helpful to the Tigers, as the team has used Aviles, Collins, Andrew Romine and Justin Upton out of position in the outfield for stretches this season.

If Presley reaches the Majors, the Tigers will be his fifth different Major League franchise. The veteran played in Pittsburgh before being dealt to the Twins for Justin Morneau. He also spent parts of two seasons with the Astros before landing with Milwaukee this season.

Next: Tigers Trade Targets on Milwaukee's Roster

In 47 games for the Brewers, Presley hit .198 with a .564 OPS. He chipped in with 12 runs scored, 11 RBI, three home runs and two doubles.