Tigers' trade for Maybin likely means Davis is gone

Rajai Davis’ days in Detroit are all but done.

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila said on Friday evening that the team had extended an offer to the veteran outfielder, but acquiring Cameron Maybin in a trade with the Braves was a better fit.

“At the end of the day, we felt this was the best option for us,” Avila said.

With Maybin in the fold — he was swapped for left-handed reliever Ian Krol and pitching prospect Gabe Speier — the Tigers have four outfielders under contract for the 2016 season. Utilityman Andrew Romine can also play outfield.

In exchange for Davis’ veteran presence, superior speed and base-stealing ability, the Tigers opted for the upside option in Maybin, who they are likely hoping can emerge as an everyday player.

It’s unclear what Davis’ contract or playing-time demands are — he made $5 million each of the past two seasons with the Tigers — but the team likely did not view him as more than a fourth outfielder and platoon partner with Tyler Collins in leftfield.

Still, Davis is solid as a rock. And though Maybin carries more potential, it’s hard to put a price on the steady play on the field and personality off the field that the Tigers will miss with Davis. He was a known commodity.

In two seasons with the Tigers, Davis was a bargain. He hit .272 in 246 games. He stole 36 bases in 2014 and 18 in less playing time in time in 2015, and he provided a pinch of pop in each season. He was a leader, likely will fall into the same kind of situation with another contending team this off-season, and likely will be successful in that role.

But with Tigers appear to want somebody in the outfield who could run with a starting role.

Contact Anthony Fenech: afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech.

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