SAN DIEGO –The Braves didn’t ask for or really want Cameron Maybin when they got him in a six-player deal that sent Craig Kimbrel to San Diego on the eve of spring training. But, man, are they glad the Padres insisted.
Maybin and fading slugger Carlos Quentin extraneous parts of the deal, pieces the Braves had to take to offset some of the salary that San Diego was absorbing by taking on the remaining $46.35 million owed to Melvin Upton Jr.
The parts the ones the Braves wanted in the trade were pitching prospect Matt Wisler, who’ll start Tuesday against his former team, and the 41st pick in the June draft, both of which fit what the rebuilding Braves were doing.
But while the Braves immediately designated Quentin for assignment – he ended up retiring – they kept Maybin and figured he might be able to help in some sort of center-fielder platoon with Eric Young Jr. To say Maybin has been a pleasant surprise would be akin to saying that San Diego has decent weather.
Maybin hit .277 with nine homers, a career-high 51 RBIs, 18 stolen bases, a .336 OBP and a .397 slugging percentage entering Monday’s series opener against his old team, the Padres. And since moving into the regular lineup in late April, he had batted .292 in 93 games with six homers, 46 RBIs, 17 stolen bases and a .349 OBP.
“He’s had a terrific year so far, and I think that’s what they expected from him when they signed him for a long term,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “But I’m glad he’s with us, and he’s doing what he’s been able to do on both sides of the baseball.”
When the Braves’ team charter was approaching San Diego’s airport Sunday night, the site of the downtown buildings and all the water made Maybin start to get a little nostalgic over his four seasons with the Padres.
“The memories come back quick,” he said. “I think about all the good times I had here, the opportunity they gave me to play and showcase my talents. It’s kind of put me in position I’m in now to be here. Everything works out for a reason. It’s exciting to be back, to come to town with some momentum.”
Padres fans might hardly recognize Maybin, at least in terms of performance: Entering Monday’s game, the Braves’ first in San Diego since the trade, Maybin, 28, was riding a streak of four consecutive two-hit games, during which he was 8-for-17 with two doubles, a triple and Sunday’s 10th-inning walk-off homer against the Diamondbacks.
“Now he’s getting to do what he’s capable of doing,” said second baseman Jace Peterson, another Braves lineup regular who came from the Padres in an offseason trade.
He’s known Maybin since Peterson was drafted by the Padres in 2011, and Peterson said, “He hasn’t had any injuries, he’s been playing well, and this is the Cam Maybin who was drafted a long time ago by Detroit. It’s good to see him doing what he’s doing and helping the team out.”
The Tigers selected Maybin with the 10th overall pick of the 2005 draft. A decade later, the Braves are thrilled to see him putting together his best season in what might not be his only season with them, after all.
Maybin is owed $8 million in 2016 in the final year of a five-year, $25 million contract extension he signed with San Diego in March 2012, a deal that also includes a $9 million team option in 2017 with a $1 million buyout.
In four seasons with the Padres, Maybin hit just .247 with 19 homers, 105 RBIs, a .307 OBP and .358 slugging percentage in 393 games and 1,458 plate appearances. As a Padre, the closest he got to his current level of performance was his first season in San Diego in 2011, when he hit .264 with nine homers, 40 RBIs and a career-high 40 stolen bases in 137 games.
“My first couple of seasons here were good because I was healthy,” Maybin said. “I had some injuries the last three years. Wear and tear I think kind of derailed me a little bit, kind of set me back. But in this game it’s all about, what have you done for me lately. And health is a big part of it…. I feel like if I’m healthy, I can do a lot of special things.”
When he came to the Braves, there seemed almost zero chance that his 2017 option would be exercised. Now, it looks like picking up that option could be strongly considered by the Braves — or whatever team they might trade Maybin to this winter.
The Braves could ginto next season with him as their center fielder. Team officials love him, both for how hard he’s worked to get his career back on track after a lot of injury-plagued seasons, and for how good a guy he’s been in the clubhouse and in the community. The Braves got calls but resisted trading Maybin before the July 31 deadline.
The nine homers in 2011 were a career high that he matched Sunday, and he’s already surpassed his previous high of 49 RBIs. His .716 OPS in 2011 is his career-best for a full season; Maybin currently has a .733 OPS.
“The thing I’m most proud of is the quality and consistency of the at-bats I’ve been able to put together” this season, Maybin said. “It makes it a little more exciting coming back for me knowing there aren’t going to be any excuses, you’re going to go out there, my energy level’s always high, so I expect for it to be fun to run around out here and just kind of take it all in. I had a great four years here. (San Diego) is an amazing city. The fans were great to me, they embraced me like I was a hometown guy, so it’ll be fun to get out there and just kind of … I’ll take it all in, for sure.”
Peterson and other Braves are just glad that Maybin was included in the trade a day before the season began. He’s been one of their best two or three hitters all season and played strong defense.
“He’s been great,” Peterson said. “I’ve had the chance to see Cam since 2011. So I know what he can do. For him to come in and be a leader on the team and do what he does, has been amazing. He definitely puts a lot of pressure on himself to compete and perform every day, and I think that carries over to the whole team. Everybody on this team can get it done on any given day. That’s kind of the mindset that we have. But to have a guy like Cam come in and compete and push everyone has been great.”
