Cameron Maybin

Position: OF
Bats/Throws: R/R
Age: April 4, 1987 (32)

Traditional Stats: .285/.364/.494, 17 2B, 11 HR, 32 RBI, 72 K, 269 PA
Advanced Stats: 127 wRC+, .362 wOBA, 1.6 fWAR
Defensive Stats: -1 OAA, -5 DRS/-1.9 UZR in LF, 2 DRS/1.7 UZR in CF, 0 DRS, -0.2 UZR in RF

Cameron Maybin has the distinction of being the centerpiece in a trade for a future Hall of Famer. After making his MLB debut with Detroit Tigers in 2007, Maybin was one of the top prospects that was sent to the Florida Marlins in exchange for Miguel Cabrera.

Maybin proved to be a bust for the Marlins’ purposes, as he was never able to stay up at the big league level. Across parts of three seasons, Maybin played a total of 144 games with the Marlins. Following the 2010 season, the Marlins traded Maybin to the San Diego Padres.

Playing with the Padres, Maybin finally began to showcase the skills that once made him a top prospect. In his first year in San Diego, Maybin became the ninth player in franchise history to steal 40 bases in a season. Maybin was an elite defensive center fielder at the time, worth 21 defensive runs saved across his first two seasons as a Padre.

Maybin spent four years in San Diego, hitting .246/.307/.358, with 180 runs scored, 58 doubles, 27 triples, 19 home runs and 74 stolen bases across 393 games played. Maybin was then traded in 2015 from the Padres to the Atlanta Braves as part of the package that sent Craig Kimbrel and Melvin Upton Jr. to San Diego.

In his lone season with the Braves, Maybin hit .267/.327/.370 with 65 runs scored, 18 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs, and 59 RBIs in 141 games. Maybin was then traded yet again, this time returning him to his original team, the Detroit Tigers.

While he was limited to just 92 games due to injuries, Maybin had one of his better seasons in 2016, hitting .315/.383/.418. After a year in Detroit, the Tigers sent Maybin to the Los Angeles Angels. Maybin spent 93 games with the Angles before moving once again, as he claimed off of waivers by the Houston Astros.

Although Maybin struggled in his 21 regular season games with the Astros, hitting to a paltry .186/.226/.441 in 59 at bats, he was added to the playoff roster. In Game 2 of the 2017 World Series, Maybin entered the game as a pinch hitter in the 11th inning and hit a single. He then stole a base and was on for George Springer‘s two-run homer that gave the Astros the lead. Houston went on to win the World Series, giving Maybin his first championship.

Maybin would sign with the Miami Marlins in free agency for the 2018 season, but ultimately split the season between Miami and Seattle, as the Mariners traded for him at the deadline.

Finally this past season, Maybin signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees and eventually found his way onto the big league roster. Maybin ended up having a quality season for the Yankees, hitting .285/.364/.494, with 48 runs scored, 17 doubles, 11 home runs and 32 RBIs in 82 games played. According to OPS+ (127), Maybin is coming off the best offensive season of his career.

Contract

Maybin will be entering his age-33 season, but is coming off one of the better seasons of his career. Despite his success in 2019, it is unlikely that Maybin would be getting anything other than a one-year deal, as inconsistency has marred his career up to this point.

Last year, Maybin was forced to a take a minor league deal and had to work his way onto a big league roster. Maybin is likely just looking for a major league deal that guarantees a spot on an Opening Day roster. Probably a one-year deal worth between $2-4 million.

Recommendation

While Cameron Maybin makes some sense on the surface, as he is a right-handed outfielder capable of playing center field, he might not be the best option for the Mets. While New York would assuredly play Maybin in center field, he has not played that position on a full-time basis since 2016.

In 2015 and 2016, Maybin amassed a combined -27 defensive runs saved in center field. He has since spent most of his time playing the corner outfield positions, only registering 20 innings in center field for the Yankees in 2019.

Since he is not much of a defensive upgrade for the Mets, signing Maybin does not make a whole lot of sense. If a market does not materialize for him, Maybin would be a great signing for the Mets on a minor league deal.