Detroit Tigers: Remembering a few of Al Avila’s worst trades

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila has made his fair share of trades over his six-year tenure.

Most have been seen as necessary, but more often than not, it seems like he has lost many more than he’s won. However, it seems, like the team he runs, that he’s improved significantly over time.

As we enter the 2021-2022 offseason, the Detroit Tigers have already started hot with a seemingly huge trade, acquiring catcher Tucker Barnhart in exchange for low minors infielder Nick Quintana.

Al Avila seems to be off to a great start, and over time it looks like the Detroit Tigers are seeing greater returns from Avila’s acquisitions.

Avila hasn’t been bad in other player acquisition departments. His free-agent pickups like Jonathan Schoop, Jordy Mercer, Wily Peralta, Niko Goodrum, Leonys Martin, and others, along with rule 5 picks Victor Reyes and Akil Badoo, with other acquisitions like the year of Mikie Mahtook and Eric Haase, have produced some value or another to the rebuilding Tigers.

Let’s take a look at Al Avila’s three worst trades with the Detroit Tigers.

The trade department has been rough over Avila’s tenure. As the Tigers exit the teardown phase of the rebuild, it is a good practice to reminisce on some of the worst moments over the past five years. Sometimes, the most appreciation is gained from looking at the worst moments.