Detroit Tigers fans headed into the 2017 season knowing they would be seeing a new starting center fielder.
The position was Cameron Maybin’s in 2016, and the former first-round pick turned in perhaps the best season of his career.
Acquired from Atalanta for Ian Krol, who sported a 5.18 FIP in 60.2 innings as a Tiger, and pitching prospect Gabe Speier, Maybin was Detroit’s offensive sparkplug.
Often hitting at the top of the order in combination with second baseman Ian Kinsler, Maybin logged a 2.0 WAR and a 120 wRC+ in 94 games for the Tigers.