Detroit Tigers: Cameron Maybin “investment” works out as Al Avila lands a prospect

The Detroit Tigers made one move at the 2020 trade deadline, sending outfielder Cameron Maybin to the Chicago Cubs for infielder Zack Short.

As the 2020 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline came and went, Detroit Tigers General Manager (GM) Al Avila found a way to get involved. Avila would slip a minuscule trade into the mix right as the deadline approached and passed.

The good thing about Avila’s one move was that it was an “investment” that ultimately panned out. Cameron Maybin was brought back to the Tigers organization this past offseason and garnered some trade value in the minds of the Cubs organization.

The Cubs would ultimately give the Tigers their 21st best prospect in the form of Zack Short, who is more of a utility infielder. Short will head to the Tigers alternate training site in Toledo after being sent to Detroit in exchange for Maybin.

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In 2020, Maybin would play in fourteen games where he totaled 41 at-bats, hitting .244/.311/.415 for the Tigers.

Half of Maybin’s hits are extra-base knocks, though he only has two RBI, he provides depth in other areas.

Maybin’s value to the Cubs is going to come as a defensive replacement or pinch-runner with occasional appearances in the lineup.

The Tigers brought Maybin in on a $1.5 million contract for the 2020 season, and the Cubs felt sacrificing a utilityman infielder was worth it.

Short played the 2019 season between three of the Cubs affiliates ranging from rookie-ball, Double-A, up to Triple-A Iowa, where he spent the majority of the time.

Between the three affiliates, he played in 63 games where he hit .235/.363/.404 with six home runs and 25 RBI on the season.

He will begin with the Tigers at the alternate training site, but like some of the other Tigers prospects, the defense is there; it is the offense that needs to come around finally.

The former 17th round draft pick is now 25 years old and could be another infielder to add into the mix for the Tigers in this rebuild. Short is known for being versatile and willing to play across the infield, bringing a “high energy” attitude that was noted by Avila in the press conference.

The Detroit Tigers investment into Cameron Maybin works out nicely, netting a prospect infielder for the organization; it truly is a win as of now.

The Tigers invested in Maybin, though he was perhaps one of the unlikelier of players to be moved; he garners a prospect in return, which should be considered a win for the organization.

Avila may have made some questionable trades in the past, and by no means is this a significant move; it still recoups value for a player who is a free agent at the end of the year and adds depth to the farm system.

While it may have seemed that the Tigers’ hot start may have brought about an active deadline as a buyer or seller, things ultimately were quiet for the front office.

The 2020 trade deadline has come and gone, and players who were candidates to be moved to stay with the team and Maybin ultimately heads to the Cubs.

A much less active deadline than in 2019 when the organization moved Shane Greene and Nicholas Castellanos, but that is to be expected amid a pandemic shortened season.

The Detroit Tigers made only one move at the 2020 trade deadline, but it landed them a new prospect and is something that can be considered as a win for the organization.