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The Tigers have traded outfielder Cameron Maybin to the Angels for minor-league right-hander Victor Alcantara, a source confirms to SB Nation. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com first reported the deal.
Maybin’s contract calls for a $9 million club option for next season, which the Angels will pick up. Detroit was reportedly debating between exercising the option or paying Maybin a $1 million buyout.
Maybin, 29, will likely serve as the Angels’ starting left fielder alongside Mike Trout and Kole Calhoun next season. The Halos utilized a cast of Rafael Ortega, Daniel Nava, Shane Robinson, Nick Buss and Craig Gentry at the position last season after opting not to sign a major free agent to fill the void last winter.
Maybin posted a .315/.383/.418 line with four homers in 94 games with the Tigers in 2016, but was seen as unlikely to return to Detroit due to the club’s desire to cut payroll. He was traded from the Braves to the Tigers last November, and now joins the fifth organization of his 10-year major-league career.
Maybin owns a career .259/.322/.373 line with 46 homers and 131 steals in 796 games with the Tigers (2007, 2016), Marlins (2008-10), Padres (2011-14) and Braves (2015).
Alcantara, 23, was ranked by MLB.com as the Angels’ 8th-best prospect at the time of the deal, though it is important to note that the club’s farm system is historically barren. Alcantara spent the season with Double-A Arkansas, posting a 4.30 ERA in 111 innings.