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Nick Maton, Matt Vierling discuss trade to Tigers

Nick Maton, Matt Vierling discuss trade to Tigers

Jason Beck is on vacation this week, so Royals reporter Anne Rogers took the helm for the latest Tigers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click hereAnd subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

It only got them more excited for the opportunity that presented itself with the trade that sent two-time All-Star closer Gregory Soto and utility infielder Kody Clemens to the Phillies for Vierling, Maton and Triple-A catcher Donny Sands.

“I would say it took me about half a day to come down from realizing what had happened, and then I got the chance to talk with [manager] A.J. Hinch and [president of baseball operations] Scott Harris, realized how good the opportunity was and just now really excited to get started,” Vierling said over the weekend on a video call with reporters.

Harris felt like he got the right value in return for Soto and Clemens, with three young hitters who have shown good plate discipline and could have more to unlock. With Vierling and Maton especially, the Tigers gained versatile position players who can play all over the field and young players who helped the Phillies’ postseason run last year.

That experience is valuable to a team like the Tigers, looking to turn the corner with their young talent.

“I think it just showed me what a team needs to be able to do to get to that point,” Maton said. “Being on those teams and watching everything go down and being part of it is a great experience for me and to share with people.”

Maton and Vierling talked with Hinch and Harris after the trade and learned they will have every opportunity to become everyday players for the Tigers in 2023. Because of their versatility, Hinch can plug them in around the field to maximize the lineup. Harris said both players will be factors in filling Detroit’s third-base opening, and both players are open to playing anywhere.

Vierling, an outfielder who also played first, second and third in the Majors, has all the tools to become a productive Major League bat. He hits the ball hard (he ranked in the 86th percentile among MLB players in average exit velocity), has a strong arm (80th percentile) and elite speed (97th percentile). Vierling’s 83 OPS+ was below league average in 325 at-bats for the Phillies last season, but the right-handed hitter batted .295 against lefty pitching.

The Tigers’ job now is to unlock Vierling’s bat more so his defense and baserunning can shine.

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