Detroit Tigers: Ranking All 17 of Al Avila’s 2016 Acquisitions

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Jul 18, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder Mike Aviles (14) tosses his bat as he grounds into an inning ending double play in the fourth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Mike Aviles

WAR: -1.4

OPS: .528

wRC+: 41

wOBA: .236

ISO: .060

It is probably safe to say that Mike Aviles didn’t have the most successful stint in the Motor City. Initially signed to provide some pop and defensive flexibility off the bench, there was reason to believe he could do just that based on past seasons.

The 35-year-old came into last season as a career .265 hitter. In eight seasons split between Kansas City, Boston and Cleveland, Aviles averaged 101 games plated, 45 runs scored, 36 RBI, 16 doubles, 10 stolen bases, seven home runs and two triples per campaign.

He finished fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting during his freshman campaign when he hit .325 for Kansas City with 10 home runs and 51 RBI. As recently as 2012, Aviles knocked in 60 runs while contributing 28 doubles, 14 stolen bases and 13 homeruns for Boston.

In other words, there was potential.

That potential was never reached as Aviles managed a .210 batting average and an abysmal -1.4 WAR in Detroit. The veteran’s 41 wRC+ barely came in ahead of a pair of pitchers in Daniel Norris (37) and Jordan Zimmermann (30).

Aviles was shipped to Atlanta late in the season along with catching prospect Kade Scivicque for Erick Aybar.

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