Detroit Tigers: Al Avila’s under-the-radar additions are paying off

Detroit Tigers fans have seen a number of under-the-radar performers step up so far in 2017. A number of them were brought in by general manager Al Avila in low-key offseason moves last winter.

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila hasn’t made the same kind of blockbuster trades so far that his predecessor Dave Dombrowski in the Motor City.

Circumstances have obviously been somewhat different for Avila and Dombrowski, but the current Detroit general manager has tended to make more minor deals.

He picked up former closer Francisco Rodriguez for infield prospect Javier Betancourt and minor league catcher Manny Pina, while picking up current closer Justin Wilson for pitchers Chad Green and Luis Cessa.

Avila also acquired a season of Cameron Maybin for Ian Krol and Gabe Speier before flipping the outfielder for a pitcher with higher upside than Krol and Speier in Victor Alcantara.

However, Avila has also added value in ways other than trades.

These trades have helped provide the Tigers with some much-needed depth at a time when the organization’s best prospects are still a few years away from serving as suitable reinforcements at the Major League level.

Here’s a look at some of Al Avila’s depth additions that are paying off so far in 2017.