Detroit Tigers Roster and Trade Rumors: Mike Aviles Signs One-Year Deal
Veteran utility player Mike Aviles gets the opportunity he's been waiting for with the Detroit Tigers offering the 34-year-old a major league contract worth $2 million for one year. The American is expected to be filling in a utility role for the loaded Detroit lineup and will share the same responsibility with infielder Andrew Romine.
Although the team through general manager Al Avila previously talked about the possibility of adding someone to the bullpen, it eventually went down to signing Aviles, the purpose of which was to fill the team's need for a utility player. It is also believed that this would be the club's final signing at least for this offseason.
The eight-year baseball veteran played for the Kansas City Royals and the Boston Red Sox before settling with the Cleveland Indians for three seasons, where he had a batting average of .231, 17 RBIs and five home runs for the team last year. The report on the Aviles signing also added that he is set to make another $300,000 in incentives. In his career so far, he has hit .265 with 58 home runs along with 292 RBIs.
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In order to make room for signing Aviles in their roster, Detroit eventually had to give up one spot, which turned out to be that one for left-hander Kyle Lobstein.
Avila commended Aviles' veteran presence and experience. "Mike is a veteran player that we are very familiar with from his time playing with the Royals and Indians. He is a versatile player that can play multiple positions and provides the depth we were looking for to help fill out our roster," the Tigers general manager said.
Aviles is expected to be the second utility man for the team next season, with more than enough experience in playing multiple positions including second base, third base, and shortstop.
