1:11pm: The Tigers have announced the deal. In order to open a spot on the 40-man roster, righty Michael Fulmer was placed on the 60-day injured list. It was reported a couple months back that Fulmer, the former AL Rookie of the Year, was expected to be out until July, so the 60-day IL placement shouldn’t come as a surprise.
12:51pm: There is a deal in place with a $1.5MM salary, per Chris McCosky of the Detroit News (Twitter links). He can tack on another $1.3MM via incentives, Heyman tweets.
10:37am: The Tigers are nearing an agreement with veteran outfielder Cameron Maybin, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter). Prospective contract terms aren’t yet known.
This’ll be Maybin’s third stint with the Detroit organization, which selected him in the first round of the 2005 draft. He broke into the majors with the club in 2007 before being dealt to the Marlins as part of the Miguel Cabrera deal. Maybin returned for a productive single-season run in 2016.
There have been ups and downs over the years, but Maybin makes his way back to the Motor City on the upswing. He was waiting and hoping with the Indians’ Triple-A affiliate last April when the injury-plagued Yankees came calling. Maybin ended up posting his best-ever season with the bat, slashing a hefty .285/.364/.494 with 11 home runs.
Maybin isn’t especially likely to repeat quite that output; he turned in consecutive 86 OPS+ finishes in the prior two seasons and rarely produced at better than the league-average rate. But he did shows some real changes in his batted-ball profile to support the improvement. Maybin’s barrel percentage vaulted to 10.2% from a prior high of 4.1%; he increased his launch angle to 11.1 degrees from a previous peak of 7.5. He also posted a career-best 88.8 mph average exit velocity and personal-high 16.9% HR/FB rate.
Even if there’s a step back offensively, Maybin figures to be a solid piece. He’s still fleet of foot, even if he won’t steal bases like he did in his youth, and capable of playing all three outfield positions. The Tigers certainly had a need for sturdy performers in an outfield unit that is filled with uncertainty. There’s also a good shot that Maybin will turn into a mid-season trade chip.
bigdaddyt
Tigers go from being worst team in the league to worst team in the league featuring Cameron Maybin
TheTrotsky
I think the Orioles will be worse.
lowtalker1
Doubtful but either way, al central tends to be the weakest division in baseball, and both the tigers and orioles are just plan awful.
DarkSide830
to be fair, the Tigers did make a few improvements. O’s really didnt add that much. as bad as Detroit is, they don’t need to start alphabet soup.
bigdaddyt
Ya I see these guys battling it out as bottom 2 teams with many of their wins coming against each other
Nick
I’d be shocked if the Orioles outperformed the Tigers. It’s hard to look at the O’s roster and see more than a handful of major league players.
Add in the fact that they’ll have to play a combined 76 games against the other 4 AL East teams (all at least decent) and they’re going to be BAD.
parx
Baltimore should pretty much change their team name to Baltimore trey Mancinis, he’s literally the only worthy major leaguer that will be on their 26 man roster, Detroit will no doubt be a joke but Baltimore wouldn’t surprise me breaking the record for worst team ever
Finlander
Chris Davis deal really screwed them, and maybe Trumbo. Matusz didn’t pan out either. They’ve had some nice draft picks lately though.
JoeBrady
Basically, everything that Duquette touched, fell asunder.
looiebelongsinthehall
He’ll be traded back to the Yankees or whomever suddenly has OF injuries.
Manfredsajoke
Yankees will be offering sign stealing procedures gleaned from Beltran in exchange.
MoRivera 1999
Total fabrication.
njbirdsfan
It’s been reported on by multiple sources, but of course since it’s a negative for the Yankees it’s fabricated.
Considering what happened to the Astros and Red Sox you’d think you’d quite while you’re ahead.
Badfinger
Proof? Oh right, you don’t have any.
MoRivera 1999
njbirdsfan
The Red Sox accused the Yanks of stealing signs. The commissioner investigated and found the allegation had “no merit.”
And there is NO EVIDENCE Beltran was engaged in any sign stealing with the NYY.
Again, your proof? You have none. “Multiple sources.” Pffft! Multiple sources reported no evidence of sign stealing. They were fined for a phone. No video. No sign stealing. Case closed.
ShieldF123
What sources? No one has reported ANYTHING related to sign stealing and the Yankees other than one off comment by Cora in an interview because his team got shellacked.
avmal
Cameron was a real asset to the Yankees, providing them with fine outfield play, many clutch hits. In addition, his presence in the dugout was immeasurable We all wish him the very best with the Tigers team
Bob Terwilliger
The prodigal son returns for a 3rd stint
rossf
Nice to know he’s in a place the Yankees will be able to easily trade for him if they have OF injuries again.
looiebelongsinthehall
Sorry Rossf, I stole your thunder with a similar comment.
phillesfan07
Tigers might be better than Oriels with additions of C.J. Cron, Justin Scope, and Mabin have a shot to be 14th in the league. And Cabrera looks healthy
ScottCFA
I’m a homer…thanks for the sympathy. I think the Tigers will surprise to the upside this year. They appear to have a much better team this year than last year. I’m predicting 98 losses (vs. 114 last year and 98-99 the preceding two seasons). The only way they get close to 110 losses is if they re-empty the shelves mid-season by trading all these signings for more prospects. I have no idea what Baltimore is doing, but they’ll probably gain the “privilege” of picking #1 overall in June, 2021.
Russianblue35
Justin Scope lol. You butchered his name completely
jungbongjovi
BuT i’M onLY 13 yEarS oLd!
stymeedone
Boyd, Turnbull, are already here. Norris showed progress last year. Fullmer should be back in the 2nd half. Lots of starters will be at Toledo to start the year. The 2nd half should start showing progress. Goodrum, Stewart, Candelario and Jones all need to progress. No sure things, but lots of potential. I expect them to be more watchable this year.
decedawgs
I had to read this 3 times… “Oriels, Scope, Mabin”… lol!
c ya
I’m for sure am going to miss him. He’s was a great pick up for the Yankees, a great hugger too, lol.
I’m sure he is going to Detroit with the Yankees always in his heart. He played with his heart and soul for for them.
Good Luck Maybin
Russianblue35
Maybin credited the Yankees coaches with helping his hitting mechanics and approach.
66TheNumberOfTheBest
Is Heyman sure this time?
Maybe the Tigers just signed Kirk Cameron.
Russianblue35
Well the Tigers will be experiencing plenty of Growing Pains
bangtwice4twoseam
Well done
dugdog83
Who knows, there are a lot of boners out there reporting these days.
tigersfan1320
Nah they probably signed Mike Cameron
CrookedAsstros
Glad he could finally get a deal somewhere, Cam seems like a great guy and he was solid last year with the Yankees
WeedBedWilly
Well will you look at that
BobSacamano
I think DET wins 70 if Boyd isn’t traded, and team health isn’t an issues. I just don’t understand the Tigs though.. You see Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling trade with the Angels unfold.. why not offer them a similar package? Joc is 27 and would be a great building piece and Ross isn’t a FA until’23
WeedBedWilly
Puig the wild horse pig thing. Is needed if we want 70 plus wins.
Nick
Pederson is a free agent after 2020, so he’s not a building block for anything. Trading actual prospects to get him would be a poor decision for a rebuilding club like the Tigers.
BobSacamano
Nick, I didn’t say he wasn’t a FA after this year. DET will have to hit the FA market eventually, there’s little homegrown position depth in the system. You have to start somewhere, and Pederson is young. I read Renfigo was headed to LAD.
DarkSide830
no one knows currently what else the Angels would have included in that trade.
LaBalaDePlata
I haven’t heard much of anything about Maybin being on the 2017 Astros team. He wasn’t there very long being a waiver wire pickup, but he had to be aware of what was going on.
I wonder if he shared this info with the Yankees last year, and why they couldn’t take the same precautions the Nats did with their multitude of signs.
Food for thought.
DarkSide830
just how sure are we that Altuve knew that pitch was coming, or maybe that was just his ability as a player.
LaBalaDePlata
I didn’t mention Altuve once. Altuve had four straight 200 hit seasons, three of which came before 2017. His HR numbers increased every year, so he has always hit.
I was just noting that Maybin was on that team and was on the Yanks last year. Sipp supposedly helped the Nats with the information. Would Tyler White have done the same if LA made the WS last year?
stevecohenMVP
literally f*** the whole houston squad. They’ve done research suggesting a lot of the players who were hitting well did with the cheating through numbers and information available. Stop defending these chumps. Altuve was wearing a buzzer. It is clear af that his Jersey not coming off was because of that and not some “my wife doesn’t like it” or “I’m shy” bs…
LaBalaDePlata
You are telling me Altuve wasn’t a great hitter prior? I’m not defending anyone who cheated, but to ignore what he was doing even when they were losing 100 games is asinine.
CrookedAsstros
Yanks had Beltran on staff as a special advisor or something too, I’m sure he had a lot more insight to offer on the Astros cheating than Maybin did lol
LaBalaDePlata
Ok, so why didn’t the Yanks do what the Nats did? Maybin and Beltran were there as you say.
I’m not taking a shot at anyone, just curious why it hasn’t been mentioned. We’ve heard from JD Davis for crying out loud, and he only had 68 PA’s and wasn’t on the playoff roster.
jdgoat
I’m sure they were switching up the signs enough where they wouldn’t be able to get them. And if they weren’t, they might be the dumbest team in major league history considering they employed the Astros ringleader.
brucenewton
Yeah Beltran was the yanks film coach the past two seasons. They were already using Beltran’s system when Maybin came to NY.
MoRivera 1999
Total fabrication. Consider the source.
stevecohenMVP
lol no its not
MoRivera 1999
Show me your proof Mr. Cohen MVP. That’s right. You have none. Just another lame no account hater.
dynamite drop in monty
I love how you demand proof so smugly all the time yet are always the first to name Ortiz whenever PEDs come up …. with no proof whatsoever.
MoRivera 1999
dynamite … He FAILED the test and the Age 40 season IS the proof.
Had the worst feet in baseball, so bad he said he was in horrible pain every single day, so bad he said he had to retire, and then he goes and leads all the young bucks of baseball in DOUBLES. Now doubles require good feet and cardio. Ortiz was a fat 40-year-old with bad feet. And that’s just getting started. He also led the league in RBI’s, slugging and OPS, all of which take good feet to stand on. Nothing suspicious about that PED-worthy performance.
vtadave
That Reese McGuire news was interesting.
DarkSide830
dont encourage people to talk about it in a different article.
terry g
Has nothing to do with Detroit or Maybin.
nmendoza7
You’re trying too hard.
WeedBedWilly
I highly encourage it. Since MLB shuts down our first amendment rights.
BobSacamano
And yet here you are.. talking.
melkor77
WeedBedWilly – No they don’t.
dmazcomp
I am just speculating here, but I wonder if the Tigers preferred target had been Kevin Pillar, who just got picked up by Boston. Had Boston not traded Betts, they probably would not have gone for Pillar. Pillar seemed to be a better fit. Cam is a good role player, but I can’t help feeling like this is a consolation signing.
stymeedone
Tigers have Jones, Reyes and Harold Casto available to play CF. Maybin a better fit as a bench player and platoon for Stewart.
BobSacamano
I would take Maybin over Jones any day. I don’t understand how they cut Blaine Hardy but not this JaCoby (production wise)
jasonn99
Hey – Give JaCoby a chance this year. The guy has amazing tools and if he can put it together – he’ll be a good player. He was crushing the ball last year when he got hit on the hand and broke a bone. Reports are that he’s worked hard all winter on hitting. Let’s see what he can do. Jones and Maybin in the outfield will give the Tigers at least two athletic guys out there and good base runners.
jasonn99
Jones is a stud. Great body.
BobSacamano
Jones is a heck of an athlete.. no doubt. But, not a starting CF Major League Baseball player making over league minimum. He looked absolutely lost in the outfield last year.
diller1340
I don’t know what you have against Jacoby. He is a very highly thought of prospect and he was absolutely on a tear when he got hurt last season. He had just changed his stance/swing and it was really showing. And he always will be an elite defender. Give the kid a chance and he could have a really high upside. You are the one who was calling for Robson or Woodrow or can Gibson and if you think Jacoby is bad those guys are so so so so much worse.
BobSacamano
No, I’m saying move on. He’s had ample time to prove himself. Otherwise team will be full of Mikie Mahtooks and Dixon Machados all whom have comparable numbers to Jones. I’m fine with Jones as a 4th outfielder. But, no way should he be starting after all the opportunities he’s had. Next man up
BobSacamano
I have nothing personal against Jones. He seems like a great teammate. But, we need to see improvement. He’s going to be 28, and the ‘upside’ factor is diminishing. I would be absolutely thrilled if he proves me wrong! I want Candy to tear the the cover off the ball this year. But, he’s another one who should have a shorter leash..
windmill_noise_causes_cancer
Yeeeeah boiiii! 3rd time is a charm. I still remember him taking Clemens deep while wearing braces.
Rangers29
I went back to look at that homer again, and oh my god, Clemens hung some 85mph changeup right over the middle like batting practice. No wonder that’s how he got his first home run lol.
nyy42
Yankees got their 50k worth out of him last year.
Paul Griggs
The Red Sox won World Series because they picked up Twins’ castoffs (Ortiz, Punto, etc.). Buck Showalter was fond of doing the same but look where it got him. Now the Tigers are doing the same. I feel bad for Gardenhire.
Melchez
Just hope maybin will pass on the “trash can/ Apple watch” whatever tricks the yankees use to help the Tiger hitters. Maybin obviously learned something while with the yankees. Players dont usually have career years at that age.
MoRivera 1999
Total fabrication. Consider the source.
jasonn99
BS – the guy has all the tools but is hurt all the time. If he stays healthy – he could have his best year yet. Not a bad pick up at all when your roster is as bad as Detroit’s is.
Ejemp2006
Too bad the Tiger medical could use me to right the ship.
Melchez
Luke Voit… a AAAA player with the Cards… goes to Yankees… STAR!
Urshela a glove only player with the Indians and Jays… with the Yanks a .300 hitter.
Tauchmann a journey man outfielder… with the Yanks, a +128 OPS
Maybin career year at 32… thank you Yankees
Bang Bang Bang goes the trash can.
ShieldF123
Dude keep trying. Zero evidence whatsoever. So salty I can taste it from here
Melchez
There was zero evidence of the Trashtros just a year ago. If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, quacks like a duck… then it’s probably a duck.
Rangers29
I bet he was growing his hair out all off-season “dreading” (no pun intended) going back to NY. Well… lucky him.
MoRivera 1999
Actually, he wanted to go back to the NYY. Guess you missed the memo.
Coal tender
I am questioning why the Rangers did not pursue Maybin because of their need for a center fielder. I am thinking the Rangers are going to make a deal with the Cubs for Kris Bryant which will involve one or two starters maybe joey Gallo, Jose LeClerc, and a few minor leaguers such as Nick Solak and Sherten Apostel.
Rangers29
The trade will not include Gallo, maybe Leclerc, but not Gallo. I just hope the deal doesn’t include Gallo, Calhoun, Solak, and Jung. The Rangers might have to eat a contract of the Cubs, but I just don’t like the idea of giving up our good young guys.
Maybe this:
Cubs get: Palumbo, Apostel, Leclerc, Kiner-Falefa, and Trevino
Rangers get Tyler Chatwood, and Bryant.
Ejemp2006
The Rangers already have a center fielder. Gallo.
stevecohenMVP
People forget that he was on the 2017 World Champion Houston Asterisks for the end of the year….
Seems like everyone was on that team…
1738hotlinebling
Come on Puig to KC , we need that spark he gave Cincinnati that we can take into 2021
Phanatic 2022
Tigers have some great pitching prospects and some of them should make it to MLB this year. I think Mize is going to be great.
Finlander
Yep, Mize and Manning are gonna be really good. Hope Detroit can hit and catch the ball behind them.
I like Detroit’s move to sprinkle some successful veterans into the mix (Schoop, Maybin, Cron), maybe their work routines will rub off on the young guys. I like the idea of adding a Puig or trading for Joc – playing time should be a given, and they can always be moved at trade deadline to a contender for more young pieces if they do well.
Hope Maybin continues his resurgence. Good guy.
jasonn99
Skubal is a stud lefty. Might end up being the best of them all out of these youngsters.
Finlander
Shhhh! Don’t tell anybody! Twins wanted to snag him..they are thin on lefties.
warnbeeb
Nobody….but nobody associated with the Tigers is talking about Drew Carlton. Closed at Erie last year. He’s not even on the top 30 prospect list. I think they’re hiding him. 32nd round draftee….I know….shouldn’t make it, but he was a very good pitcher at Florida State and got bumped around their rotation and pen. Was practically a straight A student. Majored in physics I think. Grew up in Tiger spring training town of Lakeland. He wasn’t on the ST invitee roster, but bet he gets some innings in camp at some point. Watch for him. Remember who told you first.
Melchez
Relief pitchers are not well represented in the prospect top charts… even though those guys seem to have the highest potential to make teams. Bullpens are deep and a guy with one really solid pitch or two decent pitches can carve out a decent career.
whyhayzee
He was waiting and hoping with the Indians’ Triple-A affiliate last April when the injury-plagued Yankees came calling. Maybin ended up posting his best-ever season with the bat, slashing a hefty .285/.364/.494 with 11 home runs.
Absolutely nothing suspicious about all these mediocre players suddenly becoming better than ever before in their entire careers and all in the same season. The data is all there but there couldn’t possibly be anything suspicious. So just move on.
Wait for it …
MoRivera 1999
Like Ortiz… Washed up nobody from MN becomes a monster. A whole career of suspicious behavior. Capped off by the age 40 season. Had the worst feet in baseball, so bad he said he was in bad pain every day, so bad he said he had to retire, and he goes and leads all the young bucks of baseball in DOUBLES. Now doubles require good feet and cardio. Ortiz was a fat 40-year-old with bad feet. And that’s just getting started. He also led the league in RBI’s, slugging and OPS, all of which take good feet to stand on. Nothing suspicious about that PED-worthy performance.
HalosHeavenJJ
The Angels desperately need a 4th outfielder to give Upton some days off and allow Goodwin to occasionally cover center for Trout. At the onset of the off season, I thought Maybin would be a good fit for that role.
OCTraveler
Each year when he signs with a different team, I always cast a sigh of relief he didn’t sign with the Dodgers. Never a big fan especially when he played with the Padres.
Steve Lawrence
If Detroit stays healthy they might win 65. At least they have some actual average mlb position players this year. Last year they were negative war. Their pitching staff is below average but not terrible. Adding Nova, Cron, Schoop, Romine and Maybin might make the season tolerable to watch. Next year it should start getting better
jasonn99
Skubal is a stud lefty. Might end up being the best of them all out of these youngsters.
mlbnyyfan
Yankees should of brought him back. Frazier so unreliable
BobSacamano
I’m surprised NY never found a trade partner for Frazier. He seems like a kid who could light a fire to this DET team.
warnbeeb
Maybin’s 1st ML home run was off Roger Clemens. His next at bat, Clemens decked him.
chuck123
Smart – young team and bringing back someone from past. Wish the best for him
Luke Strong
I think the Tigers finish the season 70-92 and show marked improvement.
I expect Cabrera to be healthy and put together a line around .290/.360/.540 with 30 homers.
I think they’ll get solid production out of Cron, Goodrum and Stewart, I also predict they’re also going to get an unexpected significant contribution out of Eric Haase, who I bet will wind up becoming their primary starting catcher. The addition of Maybin gives the Tigers a useful bench bat, a luxury they have not had in years.
warnbeeb
Oh, I hope you’re right, but I suspect Miggy will never hit 20 HR’s again. An OPS of .900 will also never happen again. If he gets to .800 I’d be pleasantly surprised.
This is the year we really want to see Victor Reyes take off. I think this kid is a potential All Star in a few years.
Melchez
I think Cabrera’s power will not come back. He will be 37 years old. His eye at the plate and ability to hit will last.
.325/ .405/ ..455 with 15 homers. If guys get on in front of him… 100 RBI easy
Dan LeBlanc
The Tigers only signed Cameron Maybin so they don’t have to give an excuse as to why they haven’t signed Yasiel Puig.
avmal
Cameron was a real asset to the Yankees, providing them with fine outfield play, many clutch hits. In addition, his presence in the dugout was immeasurable We all wish him the very best with the Tigers team
joefriday1948
Good for Cameron, I think. Fans have the furthest away seats in the majors and an organized syndicate controlling scalping of tickets for the same high prices. No newspaper or media outlet dares to publicize the Tiger’s weaknesses. Free ticket cut off?
VegasSDfan
Maybin as a 4th or 5th outfielder at 1.5 million seems like a good signing.
Surprised It took him this long to find a team. The outfield seems like the easiest position to locate inexpensive help.
Rsox
Maybin back to Detroit for the third time in his career. All he needs to do is leave and comeback one more time to tie Tony Fernandez for the most times with a different tenure with his original team (4 times with Toronto)
Melchez
Tigers should have signed Granderson for a one day contract. Have him play CF and bat leadoff and then he could retire a Tiger.
wileycoyote56
Well they’re determined to try and improve from last year, he’s probably better than the other choices we had.
68tigers84
Great sign, lots of potential to help the team. As long as he keeps his bad habits away from the younger players. He hit a homer off of Roger rocket to Right center his rookie year. His next AB Clemens drilled him. Maybin again.
tiredolddude
So his bad habit was hitting a HR. Ok. When this kind of signing gets fans excited, it’s time to realign MLB. Just think of it. A division of the Tigers, Orioles, Pirates, Marlins and perhaps the Royals.
68tigers84
I think that any move that can help your team, is considered exciting. The fans might see good baseball return to Detroit starting this year. With Zimmerman’s & Prince Fielders contracts ending, Help isn’t far off. I wouldn’t label the 2020 season until it’s over.
BobSacamano
I couldn’t agree more. I’m excited to see this team right the ship!
jsxanatos
try not to get any more DUIs