Detroit Tigers: Al Avila Continues to Win Bryan Holaday Trade

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Aug 20, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Bryan Holaday (59) throws out Detroit Tigers third baseman Andrew Romine (not pictured) during the third inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers general manager continued making moves early in the offseason as the team purchased the contracts of Myles Jaye and Chad Bell, thereby adding the duo to the 40-man roster.

Detroit Tigers fans didn’t see many trades last season once Spring Training began.

Al Avila did most of his dealing in the offseason, bringing in Francisco Rodriguez, Justin Wilson and Cameron Maybin in shrewd transactions that nearly vaulted Detroit into the postseason.

While those additions had an impact on the team, Avila generally stuck with his roster during the regular season.

Detroit opted to bring in reinforcements from the minors than from outside the organization. The likes of Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris, Matt Boyd, Bruce Rondon, Steven Moya and JaCoby Jones all began the year outside the active roster, but made an impact when called upon.

The general manager did swing a trade in mid-August, bringing in Erick Aybar to improve the bench.

That deal paid off for Avila, as Aybar turned in a .341 on-base percentage and an 88 wRC+ while serving as an upgrade to Mike Aviles (.258 on-base percentage, 41 wRC+).

However, that wasn’t the only trade Avila completed.

With Jarrod Saltalamacchia establishing himself as James McCann’s backup, fellow catcher Bryan Holaday was dealt to Texas for Bobby Wilson and Myles Jaye.

Here’s why Avila keeps on winning the trade.

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 14^th-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.

Apr 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; A view of the Detroit Tigers logo on the on deck circle at Comerica Park. The Indians won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Will Jaye and Bell Pitch for the Detroit Tigers in 2017?

Potentially, the duo’s chances of pitching for the Tigers next year just received a significant boost as the team added both Jaye and Bell to the 40-man roster Friday.

Detroit announced the move in a tweet on the club’s official Twitter account. The Tigers tweeted, “The #Tigers today announced that the club has purchased the contracts of RHP Myles Jaye and LHP Chad Bell from Triple-A Toledo.”

Avila did extremely well to net a pair of potential big league pieces in exchange for Holaday.

When considering how Holaday and Wilson fared in Texas, the trade is even more of a win for Avila and the Tigers.

Holaday and Wilson

Holaday batted .238 with just a .290 on-base percentage in 30 games for the Rangers.

The backstop collected 14 runs scored, 13 doubles, six doubles, five walks, two home runs and a triple in 94 total plate appearances.

Meanwhile, Wilson batted .250 with a similarly-low .277 on-base percentage. In 42 games, the veteran collected 22 RBI, 11 runs scored, four doubles and three home runs.

After Texas acquired Jonathan Lucroy, both catchers were designated for assignment. Holaday was claimed off waivers by Boston, while Wilson joined the Rays on waivers.

Holaday would go on to appear in 14 games for the Red Sox, posting a .500 OPS and one RBI in 35 plate appearances.

Over in Tampa Bay, Holaday’s former teammate appeared in 28 games while hitting four home runs and driving in nine runs.

His batting average and OPS over that span were .230 and .663.

Next: With Maybin Gone, Tigers Could Go With These 3 Combinations at Top of Order

All told, Al Avila acquired two potential long-term pitching pieces for a couple of veteran catchers who turned in WAR numbers of 0.4 and 0.0, respectively, last season.

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Detroit Tigers general manager continued making moves early in the offseason as the team purchased the contracts of Myles Jaye and Chad Bell, thereby adding the duo to the 40-man roster.

Potential Long-Term Pieces

Chad Bell

Will Jaye and Bell Pitch for the Detroit Tigers in 2017?

Holaday and Wilson

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