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.

Trading Cameron Maybin for Victor Alcantara
Grade: B+

Cameron Maybin was excellent for the Detroit Tigers in 2016. The outfielder compiled a 2.0 WAR, a .383 on-base percentage, a 120 wRC+, a 2.5 BsR and 65 runs scored in 94 games.

However, with the 2017 season fully under way, it looks like the Tigers made the right call in flipping Maybin to Anaheim for pitching prospect Victor Alcantara.

According to Spotrac, Maybin will make $9 million this season before becoming a free agent at the conclusion of the World Series.

In moving the center fielder, Detroit was able to get out from under his salary while adding an intriguing pitching prospect in Victor Alcantara.

The right-hander checked in at #24 on Motor City Bengals’ list of the top Tigers prospects heading into the season.

A hard-throwing pitcher with the ability to miss bats, Alcantara has found success early as a relief pitcher with Double-A Erie.

In seven appearances (15 innings pitched), the 24-year-old owns a 2.40 ERA. His control—seven walks, two wild pitches, one hit batter—isn’t there yet, but he has a promising future nonetheless.

More Playing Time for JaCoby Jones

Not only did Detroit save money and pick up Alcantara in the Maybin trade, the move also opened up more playing time for JaCoby Jones.

One of the Tigers’ top prospects, Jones had a strong Spring Training and earned a spot on the Major League roster.

He hasn’t been perfect, but he’s also flashed exciting upside with his blend of speed and power.

Jones, also a plus defender, has posted similar stats to Maybin across the board. He’s arguably been better overall thanks to his base running and defensive abilities.

Cameron Maybin’s 2017 Stats with Anaheim: 0.0 WAR, .315 on-base percentage, 79 wRC+, .078 ISO, -0.3 BsR, 2 DRS, 0.5 UZR, 15.4 UZR/150, 0.2 ARM.

JaCoby Jones’ 2017 Stats with Detroit: 0.2 WAR, .244 on-base percentage, 52 wRC+, .150 ISO, 0.1 BsR, 3 DRS, 2.4 UZR, 22.5 UZR/150, 1.0 ARM.

Signing Alex Avila to Serve as James McCann’s Backup
Grade: A+

While much of the Detroit Tigers starting offense stayed together, the team did remake the bench unit.

Erick Aybar, Casey McGehee and Jarrod Saltalamacchia all departed, while Anthony Gose and Steven Moya failed to make the team out of Spring Training.

With Saltalamacchia leaving, the team needed a new backstop to serve as the top option behind James McCann.

As it would happen, the team signed the player who Salty was initially brought in to replace—Alex Avila.

Purely based on 2016 numbers alone, Avila served as a significant upgrade to the former Ranger.

Saltalamacchia provided 12 home runs and little else for the Tigers. In 292 plate appearances, he collected just 30 hits that didn’t leave the yard. What’s more, he also punched out 104 times.

In came Avila, who post comparatively superior numbers across the board in his lone season with the White Sox.

So far in 2017, Avila has been Detroit’s best player from a WAR standpoint with a 0.8 number in the category.

Thanks to his hot start at the plate (.424 ISO, 249 wRC+, 1.256 OPS and four home runs), the veteran has seen more starts behind the plate, as well as added time at first base with Miguel Cabrera sidelined.