Angels Acquire Outfielder Cameron Maybin From Tigers

In the first move of the new offseason, the Los Angeles Angels announced the acquisition of outfielder Cameron Maybin from the Detroit Tigers on Thursday. 

The deal was first reported by Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

Right-handed pitcher Victor Alcantara headed back to Detroit in the trade, per the official announcement. 

The Angels, as part of the trade, exercised Maybin's 2017 team option worth $9 million.

This is the reason that likely facilitated the deal from Detroit's perspective. Maybin was an odd man out in their outfield, but instead of declining his option and making him a free agent, the Tigers were able to get a prospect in return. 

Los Angeles needed an upgrade in left field, and that is where Maybin will fit in. The team had the second-worst OPS from this position in 2016; they ranked 23rd in fWAR. 

The 29-year-old Maybin played in 94 games last season and was fairly productive. Over 391 plate appearances, he hit .315/.383/.418 with four home runs, 43 RBI and 15 stolen bases. He was worth 2.0 fWAR, his highest total since 2012. 

Lifetime, Maybin has hit .259/.322/.373 but has struggled to stay healthy. The former 10th overall pick has appeared in 100 or more games just three times in his 10 year MLB career. 

As for the other part of the trade, the Angels' No. 8 prospect (MLB.com), Alcantara, will go to the Tigers. At Double-A Arkansas this season, he went 3-7 with a 4.30 ERA and a 79-57 K/BB ratio over 110 innings. He has pitched as both a starter and a reliever over his career but has generally served as the former. 

--Devan Fink

---