Detroit Tigers: Five Best Transactions of 2016

Trading Cameron Maybin to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

When healthy, Cameron Maybin enjoyed an excellent season in his return to the Detroit Tigers organization.

Originally the 10^th-overall pick in the 2005 draft, Maybin was previously dealt to the Marlins after just 24 games in a Detroit uniform.

Of course, that trade would go on to net the Tigers a slugger by the name of Miguel Cabrera.

After stints Florida, San Diego and Atlanta, Maybin rejoined Detroit in a shrewd offseason deal that saw Ian Krol and Gabe Speier head the other way.

Overall, the center fielder hit .315 with a strong .383 on-base. He also added 65 runs scored, 43 RBI, 15 stolen bases, 14 doubles, five triples and four home runs in 94 games.

However, with the Tigers looking to succeed with a more financially-sustainable unit, Maybin was an obvious trade candidate.

The veteran will turn 30 next April and (per Spotrac) is due $9 million in 2017 before hitting free agency. With JaCoby Jones likely taking over in center field sooner rather than later, it made sense to move on from Maybin despite his seemingly-solid stats.

While the former first-round pick showed extremely well with the Tigers in 2016, he did so while sporting a .383 BABIP. In other words, he’s a candidate to regress next season.

Victor Alcantara

In return for Maybin, who Detroit dealt without eating any salary, the Tigers received hard-throwing pitcher Victor Alcantara.

While the 23-year-old’s minor league numbers don’t exactly show it, the pitcher has intriguing upside. A hard-throwing right-hander with a promising slider, Alcantara has the makings of a dominant reliever.

After wrapping last season with Anaheim’s Double-A affiliate, the pitcher could make his way to Detroit in the near future.