MLB Network is adding Alex Avila and Cameron Maybin to its roster of studio analysts. Both players retired after the 2021 season. (Both also played for the Detroit Tigers, yet were never teammates during the careers.)
Avila has previously appeared on MLB Network, working as a studio analyst during the 2021 postseason. He played 13 seasons in the majors with the Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks, Minnesota Twins, and Washington Nationals.
“Baseball has been such a big part of my life and joining MLB Network is an incredible opportunity to stay close to the game I love so much,” said Avila in the network’s official release. “I am looking forward to getting into the studio and sharing unique player insight into what is happening on the diamond.”
Maybin, meanwhile, is taking on several broadcast gigs as he establishes his new career. In addition to his MLB Network role, Maybin will also be a game analyst on YES Network New York Yankees broadcasts and a pre- and post-game analyst for Chicago Cubs coverage on Marquee Sports Network. He played for 10 different teams during his 15-year MLB career, the most time spent with the Tigers, Miami Marlins, and San Diego Padres.
“I’m very excited to be joining MLB Network,” Maybin said. “Like any former player making the transition to the next phase of their professional life, there is the unknown, but landing at MLB Network along with some of the other opportunities I’ll be afforded, is exactly where I want to be.”
Freshly retired from the major leagues, both players should provide plenty of insight into the current game, especially with opposing players they’ve faced and modern strategy as dictated by analytics.
Ian Casselberry is a sports media columnist for BSM. He has previously written and edited for Awful Announcing, The Comeback, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, MLive, Bleacher Report, and SB Nation. You can find him on Twitter @iancass or reach him by email at iancass@gmail.com.
