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Detroit Tigers: Al Avila Continues to Win Bryan Holaday Trade

By Ben Rosener

Aug 8, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers executive vice president and general manager Al Avila before the game against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 8, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers executive vice president and general manager Al Avila before the game against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 29, 2015; Clearwater, FL, USA; A general view of a Detroit Tigers hat, glove and sunglasses in the dugout against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Potential Long-Term Pieces

The appeal was easy to see from Detroit’s perspective. Wilson essentially replaced Holaday as the third catcher, while the team added a pitching prospect in Jaye.

A 24-year-old right-hander, Jaye began the year in Double-A, but soon made the jump to Toledo.

On the season, he pitched to a 3.95 ERA in 28 appearances 161.2 innings. Those 28 appearances were all starts, as Jay also struck out 135 batters while only walking 41.

Given his production and Detroit’s mission to get younger, Jaye would seem a perfect fit for the Tigers.

As a sixth starter, he may provide more effective in both the short and long term than veterans Anibal Sanchez and Mike Pelfrey.

While Wilson didn’t provide the most value (.354 OPS, -9 wRC+) in his brief, five-game stint with Detroit, he was traded for more pitching depth.

Chad Bell

Avila flipped the catcher back to Texas a little over a month later for minor league pitcher Chad Bell.

A former 14th-round pick, Bell hasn’t reached the Majors yet. At 27-years-old, he isn’t your traditional prospect, but he holds plenty of upside for the Detroit Tigers.

In 28 appearances for Toledo, Bell logged a 3.70 ERA while striking out 7.7 batters per nine innings. What is perhaps most impressive about the left-hander’s stat line is that only 10 of his 28 appearances were starts. The pitcher also finished four games.

Like Jaye, Bell could make an impact with Detroit should the need for an extra starting pitcher arise. However, the former Texas farmhand could also help the team as a swingman.

Considering the likes of Fulmer, Norris and Boyd are still developing and pitch counts and innings limits could come into play again, having Bell in the bullpen ready to step into the rotation at a moment’s notice could be extremely valuable.

What’s more, the left-hander can also step into games and toss multiple innings.

That ability will do wonders for the Detroit Tigers bullpen, helping the unit stay fresh over the course of the regular season and playoffs.

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