Tigers Add Aybar As Infield Insurance

THE DEAL

The Tigers, just 2 1/2 games out of the second AL wild card spot but missing third baseman Nick Castellanos and shortstop Jose Iglesias because of injuries, on Tuesday acquired veteran infielder Erick Aybar for versatile Mike Aviles and 23-year-old catcher Kade Scivicque.

Aybar was acquired from the Angels in the deal for Andrelton Simmons and was expected to keep shortstop warm for Ozzie Albies or Dansby Swanson. Chase d’Arnaud started for the Braves on Tuesday after the deal, but Swanson will arrive on Wednesday to take over as the team’s everyday shortstop.

BRAVES ACQUIRE
Kade Scivicque, c
Age: 23

The Tigers drafted Scivicque out of Louisiana State in the fourth round of the 2015 draft. Detroit has praised the 5-foot-11, 223-pound Scivicque for his leadership, with farm director Dave Owen calling the backstop a bulldog type who handles pitchers well. Scivicque worked with Tigers bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer and minor league roving catching coordinator Joe DePastino in big league camp in spring and his defense is a work in progress, Owen told BA correspondent Chris Iott. At the plate, Scivicque does a good job of staying back and using his lower half to drive the ball.

Club (League)	Class	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	OBP	SLG
Lakeland (FSL)	HiA	.282	105	418	45	118	19	2	6	41	22	83	0	.325	.380

Mike Aviles, if/of
Age: 35

Aviles finished fourth in American League rookie of the year voting as a shortstop back in 2008 for the Royals, but he has played the position less frequently over time. In fact, he’s played every position but first base and catcher this season. He’s a free agent at the end of the season, so he’s unlikely to have much of a long-term future in Atlanta.

Club (League)	Class	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	OBP	SLG
Detroit (AL)	MAJ	.210	68	167	17	35	5	1	1	6	9	27	2	.258	.269

TIGERS ACQUIRE
Erick Aybar, ss
Age: 32

Aybar represented a good stopgap for the Braves and he’ll perform the same function for the Tigers. He is a solid hit-and-run man who put the ball in play and is still an above-average runner. Aybar got off to an awful start in Atlanta this season as he showed up in poor shape. He hit .182/.225/.209 before a late May trip to the disabled list. He got in better shape in his stint on the DL and returned to his long-term form. Since returning to the lineup on June 12, Aybar has hit .289/.346/.396 while also showing better range defensively.

“We needed that guy off the bench … that can give us more offense,” Tigers general manager Al Avila told reporters.