Tigers Announce One-Year Deal With Utilityman Mike Aviles
DETROIT (CBS Detroit) -- The Detroit Tigers have signed free agent utility player Mike Aviles to a one-year contract, the team announced Friday.
The #Tigers announced today that the club has agreed to terms with INF/OF Mike Aviles on a one-year contract. pic.twitter.com/E9Z1vYceKO
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) December 19, 2015
In order to make room for Aviles on the 40-man roster, the Tigers designated pitcher Kyle Lobstein for assignment.
Aviles played primarily at shortstop, third base and left field with the Cleveland Indians in 2015. He batted .231 with five home runs and 17 RBI in 98 games this past season.
Tigers general manager Al Avila said earlier in the offseason that the team was looking to add a utility player who could play both infield and outfield positions.
"Mike is a veteran player that we are very familiar with from his time playing with the Royals and Indians," Avila said. "He is a versatile player that can play multiple positions and provides the depth we were looking for to help fill out our roster."
In eight seasons at the major league level with the Kansas City Royals (2008-11), Boston Red Sox (2011-12) and Cleveland Indians (2013-15), Aviles has a .265 career batting average with 358 runs scored, 132 doubles, 12 triples, 58 home runs and 292 RBI.