MINNEAPOLIS -- Nine months ago, the Detroit Tigers made a bet that Cameron Maybin wasn't worth $9 million more than whatever combination of center fielders they could cobble together to replace him.
So rather than pick up Maybin's 2017 option, the Tigers sent him to the Los Angeles Angels for a minor-league pitcher.
After a bumpy start, their bet may be paying off.
Mikie Mahtook, who started the season as a strict platoon player against lefties, is a big reason that the Tigers have essentially matched Maybin's 2017 production in center field.
Since June 21, Mahtook is batting .