Former Atlanta Braves Outfielder Cameron Maybin Says Goodbye

“There is no place like home.”

Those are the words it makes you wonder if Cameron Maybin said to Atlanta Braves’ General Manager, John Coppolella, early Friday morning.

If so, Coppolella made it happen for Maybin as he traded Maybin and cash considerations to the Detroit Tigers in return for left-handed pitchers Ian Krol and Gabe Speier.

Maybin began his career in Detroit, being drafted by the Tigers in the 2005 MLB Draft, in the first round.

However, before the following season, Maybin was traded to the Florida Marlins until 2011 when he was traded to the San Diego Padres.

With San Diego, Maybin was a staple in the outfield for two seasons, before fading off and being traded to the Braves prior to the 2015 season in a trade where the Braves sent Craig Kimbrel and Melvin Upton out west.

With the Braves in 2015, Maybin played in 141 games, but with the crowded outfield in Atlanta, along with his $6.5 MM salary and only hitting .267 with 10 homeruns, 59 RBI’s and 23 steals, Maybin was expendable.

Clearly, the main reason though was the salary relief for the Braves.  As Fred went further into.

The only question becomes, why did the Braves accept what they received in return from the Tigers.

Krol only appeared in 33 games, all in relief, for the Tigers in 2015.  He was 2-3 with a 5.79 ERA.  Not really numbers that you write home to mom about.

Speier pitched at Class-A West Michigan, appearing in 33 games out of the bullpen, with a 4-2 record and a 2.86 ERA.  Again, not really numbers that you write home to mom about.

It is unlikely Krol is going to have an impact next season for the Braves out of the bullpen and very unlikely Speier will see the majors next season, or any season anytime soon.

With the many trades that the Braves have completed over the past year, this one may sting the most.  The reason I say that is because with ALL other trades, the Braves received very profitable players in return for the stars they gave up.  Here, the Braves received a maybe relief pitcher and probably a Triple-A starter??

A fan, media and team favorite, Maybin will be missed in Atlanta.

Since it seems as if the Braves gave Maybin to the Tigers, maybe Maybin did tell Coppolella, “There is no place like home,” and Coppolella agreed.