Detroit Tigers Trade for Mikie Mahtook, Designate Anthony Gose for Assignment
By Matt Snyder
The Detroit Tigers acquired Mikie Mahtook in a trade with Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
The Detroit Tigers announced the acquisition of outfielder Mikie Mahtook in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night. The Tigers’ public relations team announced the trade on Twitter.
Mahtook, 27, has appeared in 106 major league games in his career and has hit for a .231/.275/.410 batting line in just over 300 plate appearances. A right-handed hitter, Mahtook has had some success hitting left-handed pitching thus far.
Evan Woodbery of MLive points out the possibility of Mahtook platooning with Tyler Collins in center field.
Mikie Mahtook is a right-handed bat who hits lefties well. Seems like a Tyler Collins/Mahtook platoon would lead the CF options now.
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) January 18, 2017
JaCoby Jones replaced Mikie Mahtook as starting CF in LSU lineup. Now they'll be competing for same job with Detroit Tigers.
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) January 18, 2017
Mahtook has split his major league time evenly across all three outfield positions, but his chance with the Tigers would come in center field. He’ll join the competition with Collins and JaCoby Jones. Mahtook does have one minor league option year remaining, so the Tigers could opt to send him to AAA if he doesn’t win a job out of spring camp.
Expectations for Mahtook should be set relatively low. The Tigers were able to acquire him for almost nothing which means the Rays were not particularly fond of him. In acquiring Mahtook, the Tigers are adding a depth piece — he shouldn’t been seen as a slam dunk to make the roster. It’s a good move, however, and carries very little downside, even if Mahtook doesn’t contribute to the major league team.
The Tigers were previously reported to have been in contact with a pair of veteran center field options, Peter Bourjos and Gregor Blanco, and this move probably doesn’t preclude them from signing a player with more experience.
Next: Tigers in Contact with a Pair of Veteran Center Fielders
Anthony Gose, who was out of minor league options, will now be subjected to waivers. He could return to the Tigers’ system if he goes unclaimed, but that prospect seems doubtful after the way the 2016 season went for him in the minor leagues.