Braves trade another one, sending Cameron Maybin to the Tigers

Of the all trades the Atlanta Braves have made in the past year, this one might make the most sense: They've sent Cameron Maybin to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for a pair of young lefties, Ian Krol and Gabe Speier.

Maybin, 28, revived his career with the Braves in 2015, after he came over from San Diego in the Craig Kimbrel trade. Maybin's .267/.327/.370 was a career best, as were his 10 homers and 59 RBIs. He also proved he could still swipe a bag, finishing the season with 23 stolen bases.

So, for the rebuilding Braves, who are looking to cut costs and extract value wherever possible, Maybin was the ideal trade chip. He's coming off a career season and anybody in the market for an outfielder could land him relatively cheap.

Maybin did indeed start with the Tigers, getting picked in the first round by them in 2005. He was traded to the Marlins in the Miguel Cabrera deal, then to the San Diego Padres in 2010 for Edward Mujica and Ryan Webb. So you could say Maybin is used to this sort of thing.

The Tigers outfield is in flux, but Maybin should pencil in as their starting center fielder. J.D. Martinez is locked in in right field. Anthony Gose played 128 games in center last season for Detroit, but he can play other outfield positions as well. The Tigers need a left fielder, though, so don't be surprised if they keep shopping. Their best arrangement is Gose as a backup with Maybin starting in center, next to a new left fielder.

As for the other side of the trade: The Braves get back Krol, 24, who has made 110 appearances as a reliever the past three seasons with a 4.91 ERA. Unspectacular, but he's cheap. Speier is a 20-year-old who the Tigers acquired along with Yoenis Cespedes in the Rick Porcello trade. He had a 2.86 ERA in Single-A last year.

For the Braves, more pitching is always helpful, especially when it's some for now and some for later. Maybin is due $8 million this season (with a $9 million club option for 2017) so that's the real value for Atlanta. And unlike some of their trades — like when they dealt Kimbrel or Andrelton Simmons — this one won't crumble the fanbase.