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Detroit Tigers: Breaking Down Mikie Mahtook Acquisition, Potential Impact

By Ben Rosener

Jul 31, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Mikie Mahtook (27) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a run during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Mikie Mahtook (27) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a run during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Tigers
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 /

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila made a move on Wednesday to add another option in center field. The team acquired outfielder Mikie Mahtook from the Rays. Here’s more on the newest Tiger.

Detroit Tigers fans have seen the team make relatively few moves this offseason.

During an offseason when the names of Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera and Ian Kinsler surfaced in trade rumors, there was plenty of uncertainty as to what Detroit’s roster would like come Opening Day.

However, as of now, things have stayed very much the same.

Veteran catcher and former Tiger Alex Avila has rejoined the organization to backup James McCann. Elsewhere, the likes of Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Erick Aybar and Casey McGehee have departed via free agency.

Avila will obviously take Saltalamacchia’s place on the bench, while the departures of Aybar and McGehee pave the way for younger players like Dixon Machado, JaCoby Jones, Tyler Collins and Steven Moya to claim bench roles.

The one significant difference from last year’s roster will be in center field.

Detroit’s primary center fielder in 2016, Cameron Maybin, was dealt to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in a cost-cutting move.

Collins and Jones were the most obvious incumbent candidates to take Maybin’s spot. However, the team has now brought in a new face to add to the mix.

The Tigers announced in a tweet on Wednesday that they acquired Mikie Mahtook in a trade with the Rays.

Detroit’s official Twitter account tweeted, “The #Tigers announced today that the club has acquired OF Mikie Mahtook from Tampa Bay in exchange for a PTBNL or cash considerations.”

Additionally, the team would later add in another tweet, “To create room on the 40-man roster for Mahtook, the #Tigers have designated for assignment the contract of outfielder Anthony Gose.”

Gose would have been in the mix with Collins and Jones in center field. With Mahtook taking his place, here’s more about the potential impact the former Ray could have in the Motor City.

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