With the World Series now in the books, the hot stove season is officially underway! The biggest offseason moves take some time to simmer, so in the meantime we got everything started with the Detroit Tigers sending outfielder Cameron Maybin to the Angels in exchange for right-handed pitcher Victor Alcantara.
Yeah, not exactly an earth-shattering move to get the fun offseason started, but it’s at least something.
https://twitter.com/MLBRosterMoves/status/794312605133197312
Maybin is coming off a really nice season at the plate, hitting .315 with an .801 OPS in 94 games for the Tigers. It was his first season hitting above .300 since hitting .318 with the Florida Marlins in 2009. He comes with a $9 million team option, which will reportedly be picked up by the Angels (Maybin also had a $1 million buyout). One of the offseason questions facing the Tigers was whether or not they would buy out Maybin’s contract. This way, they do not have pay the buyout and get a prospect in return.
The Tigers receive the minor-league prospect arm in Alcantara, who just completed the 2016 season in AA. In 29 games, Alcantara went 3-7 with a 4.30 ERA and 1.468 WHIP with 79 strikeouts and 57 walks in 111.0 innings pitched.
Billy Eppler says Cameron Maybin will be primary left fielder for #Angels in 2017
— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) November 3, 2016
The Angels are obviously in need of building a supporting cast around Mike Trout, but do not expect the addition of Maybin to be anywhere close to the final piece complementing the MVP-caliber franchise player in the outfield. This is just the start for the Angels. He will, however, probably be the best the Angels will end up doing in left field.
Eppler says #Angels will look to add one or two more outfielders to "compliment" Maybin, Trout and Calhoun
— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) November 3, 2016
