Detroit Tigers Looking for What They Already Had

The Detroit Tigers are looking for a center fielder. That’s pretty interesting since they just traded their center fielder away back in November.

Looking at their depth chart, it makes sense that the Detroit Tigers would be looking for a center fielder. Currently, JaCoby Jones is penciled in as the Tigers starting center fielder, with Tyler Collins and Anthony Gose listed as the backups.

While Jones is an interesting prospect, he did not perform well in his brief trial in the Majors last season. In his 28 at bats, Jones had a .214/.214/.321 batting line, hitting three doubles. Jones also struck out 12 times without drawing a walk. Collins has been roughly league average with the bat in his three years in the Majors, with a .253/.309/.401 batting line, but has been abysmal in the field. Gose has a worse batting line, hitting at .240/.309/.348 batting line, and has been even worse in the field.

With those options, it is understandable that the Tigers would be interested in bringing in another option. But there is one problem with that – they already had the type of player they were looking for in Cameron Maybin. And, on November 3, they sent him to the Los Angeles Angels for minor leaguer Victor Alcantara.

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This move was essentially meant to cut costs, as Maybin is slated to make $9 Million next year. However, with the options that are available in free agency or in a trade, the Tigers may pay that amount, or more, to fill their void.

Yes, there is the caveat that Maybin will be a free agent after the 2017 season, and that the Tigers were not likely to keep him around beyond next year anyway. However, with that extra year of development, Jones could actually become a viable option to take over in center. Instead, as things currently stand, he would be thrown into the fire, at a time when his bat just does not seem Major League ready.

But what can the Tigers do? They have already stated that they are not likely to make any major signings, given that they are against their payroll cap. Any external option will have a cost attached, either in prospects or in dollars. Since they may not even have the $3 Million it could take to bring back Alex Avila, the Tigers options may be limited to those players already on the roster.

Next: Phillies have options with Herrera

The Detroit Tigers had the center fielder they needed in Cameron Maybin, but they traded him due to his salary. Now, they may spend the same amount to replace him.