Detroit Tigers: Grading Al Avila’s Offseason Moves So Far

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila traded away just one major contributor in the winter. He also made additional deals to bolster the bench and the bullpen. Here’s how the moves grade out so far.

Detroit Tigers fans could have seen a very different offseason. With the names of numerous players surfacing in the rumor mill, it wasn’t a guarantee that Detroit’s nucleus would stay together. However, general manager Al Avila only traded away Cameron Maybin.

With a lineup that—when healthy—features Miguel Cabrera, Ian Kinsler, J.D. Martinez, Nicholas Castellanos, Justin Upton and Victor Martinez, the Tigers will likely be in contention for a playoff spot as the season progresses.

Thanks to the returning lineup and a pitching staff that features the likes of Justin Verlander, Michael Fulmer and Matt Boyd, Detroit certainly can make some noise when everyone is firing on all cylinders.

The fact that the team stood pat and didn’t rebuild may seem strange to some, but the reality is that the Tigers have a shot.

Detroit’s bullpen will need some help, but the team plays in a division that saw the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals take major steps back in terms of contending.

What’s more, Avila’s moves have subtly improved a team that just missed out on a wild card berth in 2016.

Here’s how the general manager’s offseason moves have graded out so far.