Detroit Tigers: Three Ideal Center Field Trades

Detroit Tigers fans will see a different center fielder next season. With Cameron Maybin gone, the team will turn to a new starting outfielder in 2017. Here are three trades that make sense.

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila has yet to make a significant trade this offseason.

So far, the general manager has only made one trade and a number of minor signings.

Avila flipped Cameron Maybin to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for pitching prospect Victor Alcantara.

He also reportedly brought in a pair of pitchers on minor league deals to provide depth. Michigan native A.J. Achter was reportedly signed, as was fellow starter Anthony Vasquez.

While Alcantara, Achter, Vasquez and Rule 5 draft pick Daniel Stumpf help give the Tigers some more pitching depth, they don’t do anything to address the need in center field.

As it stands, some combination of JaCoby Jones, Anthony Gose, Tyler Collins and Andrew Romine will see time in the middle of the outfield.

While that grouping may have worked for a rebuilding team, the Detroit Tigers are still a contender on paper.

Not only has the team kept most of its veteran stalwarts, the Tigers have also seen division rivals deal away key pieces.

Chicago flipped Chris Sale and Adam Eaton for major prospect hauls while Kansas City shipped Wade Davis to the Cubs.

With the Twins’ youth movement still developing, it is very likely that Detroit will head into next season as one of just two non-rebuilding teams in the American League Central.

The Tigers have an excellent shot to not only make the playoffs, but potentially unseat Cleveland for the division title. If they want to reach both of those objectives, they may need another center fielder.

JaCoby Jones is still the future of the position, and is close to being an everyday regular. Obviously, if Jones can find success as a starter in 2017, Detroit won’t need to make a move.

However, if the team does bring in a center fielder, it will likely be a short-term option to serve as a stop-gap until Jones is ready.

Here are three ideal trades the Detroit Tigers could make to acquire a center fielder.