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Detroit Tigers acquire IF Erick Aybar in trade with Atlanta Braves
DETROIT -- With injuries continuing to pile up, the Detroit Tigers acquired infielder Erick Aybar from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Mike Aviles and minor league catcher Kade Scivicque.
The team announced the deal prior to Tuesday's game against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park.
The 32-year-old Aybar hit .242 with 27 runs and 26 RBIs in 97 games for the Braves this season. He is just two years removed from an All-Star appearance and won a Gold Glove at shortstop with the Los Angeles Angels in 2011.
"Now with all the injuries that we've had and talking it over with the staff, we felt we needed to upgrade our bench," Tigers general manager Al Avila said.
"The main reason for this is to upgrade our utility position. We feel that Aybar could give us a little more offense from that position. He's a switch-hitter. He can play third, he can play short, he can play second. Really, if we needed him to, in a pinch, if we had to and I hope we don't, we could throw him into the outfield. But right now, he gives us an experienced, veteran-type player that we feel will give us a little bit better offense than, let's say, Aviles, at this point, and the same versatility."
Though Aybar, according to Avila, is supposed to represent an offensive upgrade, he actually ranks last among all qualified hitters in wRC+ (adjusted weighted runs created), according to Fangraphs.com. Aybar also has a career-high 16 percent strikeout rate this season compared to 10.5 percent from 2012 to '15, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Aybar will be available for Wednesday's series finale vs. Kansas City, according to Avila. The Tigers will have to make a corresponding roster move. Although Aybar's natural position is shortstop, Avila said the team still expects shortstop Jose Iglesias to return within the two-week time frame designated when he went on the DL.
The team announced the deal prior to Tuesday's game against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park.
The 32-year-old Aybar hit .242 with 27 runs and 26 RBIs in 97 games for the Braves this season. He is just two years removed from an All-Star appearance and won a Gold Glove at shortstop with the Los Angeles Angels in 2011.
"Now with all the injuries that we've had and talking it over with the staff, we felt we needed to upgrade our bench," Tigers general manager Al Avila said.
"The main reason for this is to upgrade our utility position. We feel that Aybar could give us a little more offense from that position. He's a switch-hitter. He can play third, he can play short, he can play second. Really, if we needed him to, in a pinch, if we had to and I hope we don't, we could throw him into the outfield. But right now, he gives us an experienced, veteran-type player that we feel will give us a little bit better offense than, let's say, Aviles, at this point, and the same versatility."
Though Aybar, according to Avila, is supposed to represent an offensive upgrade, he actually ranks last among all qualified hitters in wRC+ (adjusted weighted runs created), according to Fangraphs.com. Aybar also has a career-high 16 percent strikeout rate this season compared to 10.5 percent from 2012 to '15, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Aybar will be available for Wednesday's series finale vs. Kansas City, according to Avila. The Tigers will have to make a corresponding roster move. Although Aybar's natural position is shortstop, Avila said the team still expects shortstop Jose Iglesias to return within the two-week time frame designated when he went on the DL.