Jul 2, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Justin Upton (8), center fielder Cameron Maybin (4) and right fielder Mike Aviles (14) celebrate after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila acquired Cameron Maybin to improve the team’s outlook in center field. Despite missing time due to injuries, Maybin quickly established himself as a key player.
Detroit Tigers center fielder Cameron Maybin spent nine years between his first stint in the Motor City and his return last season.
The outfielder was drafted with the 10th-overall pick in the 2005 draft and made his debut during the 2007 season. However, along with Andrew Miller, Burke Badenhop and company, Maybin was shipped to Florida in the Miguel Cabrera blockbuster.
After nine years in the National League, Tigers fans finally got to see Maybin as the team’s regular center fielder. In 94 games of action, the 29-year-old didn’t disappoint.
Maybin notched a career-high .315 batting average while posting a .383 on-base percentage. He also scored 65 while driving in 43. He also chipped in with 15 stolen bases, 14 doubles, five triples and four home runs.
The outfielder’s performances in the field helped him finished fourth among Detroit position players in WAR, despite playing in significantly fewer games.
In addition to grading out well in terms of stats like batting average and on-base percentage, Maybin also showed well in other advanced statistics like wRC+ and wOBA.
Here’s a look.
Jul 29, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder Cameron Maybin (4) hits a single in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Stats of Note
Serving as a spark plug at the top of Detroit’s lineup, Maybin showed extremely well compared to his fellow center fielders where on-base related stats were concerned.
Among center fielders with at least 350 at-bats, Maybin finished third in on-base percentage behind only Mike Trout and Fowler.
The Tigers starter also ranked seventh in wRC+ and eighth in wOBA. The likes of Desmond, Marcell Ozuna and Andrew McCutchen ranked behind Maybin in both categories.
A Closer Look at Maybin’s On-Base Percentage Numbers
Not only did Maybin post a high on-base percentage in 2016, he wasn’t partial to one type of pitcher.
The veteran turned in a .384 on-base percentage against left-handed batters. His on-base percentage against right-handers was slightly lower, but not by much. Maybin’s on-base percentage against right-handed pitching sat at .383.
In-Game Batting Averages
One of the main reasons Maybin was so effective at being a spark plug for the Tigers was that he got on base early and often against opposing starters. The center fielder batted .380 with a .443 on-base percentage when facing an opposing starter for the first time in the game.
Those numbers regressed slightly (.346 batting average, .400 on-base percentage) when Maybin matched up with the starter for a second time. However, they still graded out extremely positively.
Jul 29, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Justin Upton (8) receives congratulations from center fielder Cameron Maybin (4) after he hits a three run home run in the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Will Cameron Maybin Return in 2016?
At this point, that remains to be seen.
Were the Tigers not looking to shed salary, the obvious answer would be yes. Per Spotrac, Detroit has a $9 million club option on the outfielder’s contract for next season. That’s an extremely reasonable rate for a starting center fielder of Maybin’s quality.
However, the potential to buy out or trade Maybin remains one of the easiest ways for Detroit to clear money.
Should he return, the veteran will provide the Tigers with the perfect bridge to the future where the center field position is concerned.
With the 29-year-old on the team, Detroit would be able to develop JaCoby Jones at a more measured rate instead of throwing him into the starting lineup right away should Maybin depart.
Top prospect Derek Hill will likely force Jones off the position down the road, but Maybin’s presence would give Detroit some much-needed insurance in the outfield.
Should the Tigers look to deal the team’s former top draft pick, they could receive a premium return. Outside of Ian Desmond, Yoenis Cespedes and Dexter Fowler there isn’t too much to write home about in terms of free agents.
What’s more, Cespedes and Fowler aren’t locks to reach the open market. Both have options in their respective contracts ahead of next seasons.
In other words, if a team is in need of a center fielder and doesn’t want to hand a massive contract to Desmond or Cespedes, Maybin may be there best bet.
This all benefits Detroit, who could cash in on a player they only gave up Ian Krol and minor league pitcher Gabe Speier to acquire.
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