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Detroit Tigers Clips

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Detroit Free Press

Could Cabrera open the season at third base? (Fenech)

Seidel: Maybin back home in Lakeland with Tigers (Seidel)

Ausmus: Norris needs a slow buildup to the season (Fenech)

Tigers' K-Rod resolves visa issues, will arrive soon (Fenech)

The Detroit News

Tigers' Daniel Norris dials down to ring when it counts (McCosky)

Tigers believe gamble on Pelfrey is well-placed bet (McCosky)

Rodriguez expected to arrive at Tigers camp (McCosky)

New parking garage next to Comerica Park sought (Aguilar)

MLive.com

Brad Ausmus expects to see improved Mike Pelfrey: 'I feel like there's more there' (Iott)

Detroit Tigers notes: Rain alters plans for first session of live batting practice (Iott)

Closer Francisco Rodriguez on way to Lakeland, will work out Thursday with team (Iott)

Spring training clubhouse job with Tigers all glamour to Grand Rapids resident (Wallner)

MLB.com

Nesbitt confident he has Major League ability (Beck)

Ausmus: Miggy may play 3B to open season (DelGallo)

ESPN.com K-Rod to report Thursday; Cabrera provides interleague option at third (Strang)

FOXSports.com

Tigers making adjustments starting season in National League ballpark (Ramsey)

USAToday.com

For Al and Alex Avila, business side of baseball separates them again (Ortiz)

CBSSports.com

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Miguel Cabrera may open 2016 at third base and it's not a crazy idea (Axisa)

Daily Transactions

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Could Cabrera open the season at third base?

February 25, 2016

By Anthony Fenech/ Detroit Free Press

LAKELAND, Fla. – Miguel Cabrera used to play third base in Miami.

He was younger then, in his early 20s, when he handled the hot corner for the Marlins. And the Tigers first

baseman might come full circle to open the season.

Manager Brad Ausmus said Wednesday that Cabrera is a possibility to play third base during the season-

opening two-game set against the Marlins on April 5-6.

“He is assuming (Victor Martinez) is all right at first base,” Ausmus said.

In a bit of a scheduling quirk, the Tigers will open and close the season in National League parks without the

designated hitter. Playing Cabrera at third base would allow them to keep Martinez, a full-time DH, in the

lineup.

“It’s a little bit of an inconvenience for us because we’re one of those teams that really has a DH in Victor

Martinez, so in that sense, yes,” Ausmus said. “Should we be forced not to play Victor a game or two or three

because of that, especially if you’re looking at the end of the season and we’re fighting for a playoff spot, that’s

not ideal, for sure.”

Martinez is an option to serve as Cabrera’s backup at first base, Ausmus said, should he prove healthy enough

to play the position this spring, On Tuesday, Cabrera and Martinez took ground balls on a back field in Tiger

Town.

“If they let me,” Martinez said when asked about his desire to play in the field.

Hobbled by soreness stemming from a second major knee surgery last off-season, Martinez was limited to 10

games at the position in 2015. Cabrera didn’t play third base last season, but is one of the most instinctually

gifted players in the game and should have no problem reacclimating himself to a position where he has

extensive experience.

Cabrera moved to first base full-time after he was acquired by the Tigers in a November 2007 trade, then moved

back to third base for two seasons after Prince Fielder in January 2012. Cabrera played first base regularly the

past two seasons, but did play 10 games at third base in 2014.

The possible scenario laid out by Ausmus would mean that starting third baseman Nick Castellanos would be an

option off the bench for the opening series.

The Tigers finish the season with three games in Atlanta against the Braves on Sept. 30-Oct. 2.

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Seidel: Maybin back home in Lakeland with Tigers February 25, 2016

By Jeff Seidel/ Detroit Free Press

LAKELAND, Fla. – Yes, he has been here before.

On this team. In this clubhouse. In Joker Marchant Stadium.

“It’s not weird,” Cameron Maybin said. “It almost feels right.”

Maybin was drafted No. 10 overall by the Tigers in 2005.

In the spring of 2006, Maybin was invited to camp to get his first glimpse of the big leagues, and he was in this

same clubhouse with guys like Pudge Rodriguez, Carlos Guillen, Brandon Inge, Craig Monroe and 23-year-old

Justin Verlander.

“Where was your locker back then?” I asked him.

“Down there in the corner,” he said, looking to the back recesses of the clubhouse to a small space where they

pack the young players who don’t have a realistic shot to make the team.

“Like, back there by that blue door,” he said, smiling. “Past that blue door. That’s where they put the guys just

out of high school, the 18-year-olds.”

He laughed.

“I’m surprised they didn’t put me outside the door,” Maybin said, displaying a fun, easygoing personality.

He’s back. No longer a kid.

He is a 28-year-old veteran, who has played on four teams during a nine-year career that has had its share of ups

and downs and injuries.

Now, his locker is in a far different place — located in a piece of prime real estate that commands respect and

prestige, along the wall, in a row of lockers near the shower. Ian Kinsler and J.D. Martinez use the lockers to his

right. Miguel Cabrera, the guy for whom he was once traded, has one at the end of the row, to his left.

Yes, it feels right.

“I’m in the mix of some pretty good company,” Maybin said. “I’m excited to pick their brains. I have already

sat down and talked to J.D. It’s exciting. These guys enjoy being students of the game. I think that’s what I’m

looking forward to being around. It’s a group where guys know what they have to do.”

2005 draftees now teammates

That 2005 draft is interesting when you consider this year’s roster.

Justin Upton, an outfielder from Chesapeake, Va., was selected first overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Mike Pelfrey, a pitcher out of Wichita State, was selected ninth by the New York Mets.

And the Tigers took Maybin at No. 10. Maybin was considered a five-tool player. He had been named Baseball

America’s 2004 youth player of the year.

Now, Maybin, Upton and Pelfrey are teammates, brought together for one reason: to get this franchise back to

the playoffs.

“I was excited” when the Tigers signed Upton, Maybin said. “I’ve known Justin for a long time. I think his

track record speaks for itself. He is like everybody else. He is eager to win.”

Maybin has played more than 100 games only three times. He never lived up to the expectations of being a top-

10 pick. He never has been an All-Star. But he is well-known by this front office and coaching staff. Maybin

was in San Diego for two seasons (2011-12) when Tigers manager Brad Ausmus was a special assistant with

the Padres.

“He was always very encouraging,” said Maybin, who also has played for the Marlins and Braves. “I had a

good first year in San Diego, and I was banged up there after that. He was always really encouraging, letting me

know, ‘Hey, I’ve been there, man. You just have to do what you are doing. Just keep plugging away.’

“As a special assistant, he didn’t have to take his time to see how I was doing or give me encouraging words.

I’m excited to come here and play hard for him, as I always do.”

He'll outwork anybody

Earlier this week, Maybin was on the field at Joker Marchant Stadium, working on outfield techniques before

practice.

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“At the end of the day, I don’t think there is a guy who outworks me,” Maybin said. “There may be guys who

are better than me. I’m always OK with that.”

Maybin is a .251 career hitter, but last season was encouraging. He hit .267 — the best average of his career, not

counting the eight games he played in 2008 for Florida when he hit .500 in 36 plate appearances.

Maybin will battle Anthony Gose for playing time in centerfield.

“All you can ask for is opportunity,” he said. “You have to go out and win a job. I believe they are going to give

me that, but I have to make good on it. Nothing’s given to you.”

Not even after all these years.

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Ausmus: Norris needs a slow buildup to the season February 25, 2016

By Anthony Fenech/ Detroit Free Press

LAKELAND, Fla. – If Daniel Norris ran into a brick wall, manager Brad Ausmus wondered Wednesday, he’s

not sure if Norris’ first thought would be to go around it.

“He has that mind-set,” Ausmus said. “He’d try to run into it harder.”

And the Tigers’ left-handed starter learned a lot in his rookie year. One of the foremost things was how to

prepare for the season.

He and Ausmus spoke about it this winter, and agreed that entering camp in more of a buildup phase would be

beneficial to staying fresh — and healthy — throughout the 162-game grind.

“He had mentioned to me that he felt like he went too hard, too fast last year trying to make the team in Toronto

and it cost him a month of the season,” Ausmus said.

“It’s just not going hard as early, more of a slow buildup. Last year, he came to spring ready to go like it was

Opening Day, now he’s using spring to ramp up and get ready.”

Norris is the front-runner for the fifth rotation spot. In 2015, he posted a 3.75 ERA in 13 starts between the Blue

Jays and Tigers. He was acquired at the trade deadline as the centerpiece of the David Price trade. He missed

three weeks late in the season with a left oblique strain but returned to make four starts in September, three

allowing one hit or fewer.

RAINED IN: It rained at Tiger Town on Wednesday. It rained hard and often and forced the Tigers inside the

batting cage and got them out of their first day of live batting practice, something pitchers and catchers and

hitters didn’t mind.

“Terrible,” Ausmus said about live batting practice. “They’re awful. It’s even worse for a catcher. You’re

getting foul tips off the shoulder, and then you have to stand in there against your own pitchers. It’s just not a

comfortable experience. It’s a necessary evil. Nobody likes it, pitchers don’t like it, hitters don’t like it, nobody

likes it.”

The team opted against taking live batting practice inside their new batting cages, located near the back fields,

instead having hitters stand in the box against pitchers.

It washed away the first of five potential live batting practice days. The Tigers open their exhibition season

against Florida Southern on Monday at Joker Marchant Stadium.

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Tigers' K-Rod resolves visa issues, will arrive soon

February 25, 2016

By Anthony Fenech/ Detroit Free Press

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Francisco Rodriguez is on his way to spring training.

After missing a week of camp because of visa issues, the Detroit Tigers’ veteran closer from Venezuela has

those issues resolved, is traveling today and should be in Tiger Town on Thursday, according to a person with

knowledge of the situation.

Manager Brad Ausmus said this morning that he expected Rodriguez to arrive “sooner than later.”

Rodriguez, 34, is entering his 15th season in the major leagues. He was acquired for infield prospect Javier

Betancourt in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers this off-season.

In 2015, the right-hander posted a 2.21 ERA and 0.86 WHIP with 38 saves. His 386 career saves rank seventh

all time.

The time away shouldn’t be an issue for Rodriguez. As a relief pitcher, he won’t need to build up his arm

strength like a starting pitcher.

Asked this morning at what point Rodriguez’s absence would become an issue, Ausmus said, “I don’t know. I

don’t have a drop-dead point. He just needs to be in here in time to be ready. I’m assuming it will get taken care

of sooner than later.”

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Tigers' Daniel Norris dials down to ring when it counts

February 25, 2016

By Chris McCosky/ The Detroit News

Lakeland, Fla. — Daniel Norris doesn’t want it misunderstood.

Yes, he did back off on his offseason preparation this year. He pushed his throwing program back a few weeks

in December. And he’s not throwing as much early in camp as he did while with the Blue Jays last spring.

But it had nothing to do with the surgery to remove a malignant tumor from his thyroid. And by no means has

he tapered his intensity this spring.

“As far as going out and competing, I am still going 100 percent,” said Norris, the left-hander who is vying for

the fifth spot in the Tigers rotation. “I was in mid-season form at this time last year. I’ve tried to tone it down.”

Norris feels like he overcooked it last offseason. Amped to win a job with the Jays, he wound up with a dead

arm that cost him about a month of the season.

“We talked about it,” manager Brad Ausmus said. “He felt like he went too hard too fast trying to make the

team in Toronto and it cost him a month. We both felt that backing off might be beneficial.”

Trying to hold back a high-throttle 22-year-old fighting to make his mark in the major leagues isn’t an easy

task, Ausmus admitted.

“He has that mindset where if he ran into a brick wall, I don’t know if his first thought would be to go around

it,” he said. “He’d try to run into it harder.”

Still, Ausmus and pitching coach Rich Dubee are trying to slow his process. He’s not throwing every day and

he’s throwing fewer pitches each session.

“It’s more of a slow build up,” Ausmus said. “The situation last year, he came to spring training ready to go,

like it was Opening Day. Now he’s using spring to ramp up and get ready.”

Norris said the plan is working so far.

“I feel really good,” he said.

Schedule inequity?

The Tigers open and close the season against National League teams — opening with the Marlins in Miami and

closing with the Braves in Atlanta. Sub-optimal, Ausmus said.

“It’s odd,” he said. “It’s a little strange and a little inconvenient for us. We’re one of the teams that really has a

designated hitter with Victor Martinez. And should we be forced to play without Victor Martinez for two or

three games because of that, especially at the end of the season and we’re vying for a playoff spot, it’s not

ideal.”

It obviously would be more beneficial to play interleague games in the middle of the season, when veteran

players need a day or two of rest. Not at the beginning where everyone is fresh or at the end when playoff spots

could be on the line.

Health permitting, the Tigers have a contingency plan in mind.

“Miguel Cabrera would be an option at third base,” Ausmus said, “as long as Victor is able to play first base.”

Around the horn

Ausmus and the coaching staff are mulling the idea of starting the season with either an extra position player or

extra reliever because of off days on April 7 and April 18. Theoretically, the Tigers wouldn’t need a fifth starter

until the ninth game of the season (April 14 at Pittsburgh). “It depends a lot on who the fifth starter is and how

the rotation is set up and where we want guys — what teams we want our starters pitching against.,” he said.

“Also how much rest we want guys in the front of the rotation to get. Anything is possible.”

… So what’s former Tigers closer Todd Jones doing with the team this spring? “Just another set of eyes, but

more from the perspective of being a reliever, working with relievers, helping them understand what their role

is as games go on,” Ausmus said. “How to prepare. Recognizing when they are likely to be used and showing

them how to be ready before the phone rings.”

… Ausmus said former Tigers starter Kenny Rogers would also be working as a special assistant later this

spring.

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… Steady and at times heavy rains kept the Tigers from doing any field work Wednesday. Live batting practice

was canceled but hitters did stand in the batter’s box and tracked (no swinging) live pitching in the cage. Other

than stretching and individual weight room work, that was the extent of practice.

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Tigers believe gamble on Pelfrey is well-placed bet February 25, 2016

By Chris McCosky/ The Detroit News

Lakeland, Fla. — During the winter meetings in December General Manager Al Avila called the signing of

veteran right-hander Mike Pelfrey a scouting decision.

“I’m not going to throw our analytics people under the bus on this one,” he said.

The recent raw numbers on Pelfrey aren’t pretty. After the All-Star break last year he was 1-5 with a 4.46 ERA

and 1.50 WHIP. He had thrown just 20 innings in 2014, sidelined with a nerve condition. He’s four years

removed from Tommy John surgery. He is six years removed from his best season (15-9, 3.66 ERA with the

Mets in 2010).

So, clearly, the Tigers took a leap of faith in signing him for two years and $16 million.

Here’s why they did it:

“I feel like there is more there,” manager Brad Ausmus said on a rainy Wednesday morning. “Being a couple

years out from surgery we hope is a good omen. We think, with the stuff he has, there is a little more in there.

“He has been a good big league pitcher. We feel like he can be a very good big league pitcher.”

There are indicators of a potential resurgence. He has a clean bill of health and was able to execute his usual

offseason workout regimen. He is coming off a season where he made 30 starts. Though the 164⅔ innings was

low for that many outings, it was the most he’s thrown since 2011.

And in terms of analytics, his velocity increased 3 mph, from 90 mph in 2014 to 93 in 2015. And, when his

sinker and newly acquired split-fingered fastball are working, he got a lot of ground balls.

His 0.6 home runs per nine innings (11 total homers allowed) was the lowest in baseball last year.

Besides all of that, the Tigers love Pelfrey’s makeup. Assistant general manager David Chadd has known him

and his family going back to before he was a high school star in Wichita, Kansas. They love his work ethic,

competitive fire and believe he can be a positive influence in the clubhouse.

They feel like the $16 million deal was a very calculated risk, and Pelfrey feels ready to validate their faith.

“I know the last couple of years haven’t been great, necessarily,” Pelfrey said. “But I still feel like if I’m healthy

I am going to get guys out — and I am healthy. No excuses. We’re going to go out there and we are going to be

effective and we are going to give this team a chance to win every five days, and we’re going to win a lot of

games.”

Pelfrey started strong for the Twins last season (5-2, ERA under 3.00) and then seemed suddenly to wear down

physically.

“I don’t know for what reason, but I was fatigued,” he said. “I struggled the last three months. I just felt

exhausted. I don’t know if it was because I was coming off surgery or coming off 20 innings the year before. I

just felt tired.”

He still kept taking the ball every five days. His velocity didn’t diminish, but his pitches lost some bite and his

command was spotty. He believes with a full offseason of conditioning, he won’t crash into that wall again this

year.

“I do think I can be a lot better,” he said. “I plan on getting back to being one of the guys you can count on

every fifth day to give the team a chance to win. I think after taking the ball 30 times last year, it won’t be as

hard.

“I feel like I am in pretty good shape. I feel good throwing the ball — no pain, no limitation. This team can be

great and I just want to do my part.”

As for those who may think the Tigers misspent on Pelfrey, well, he said you are entitled to your opinion.

“I don’t pay attention to that stuff,” he said. “They can say what they want. I take pride in going out and

competing and winning. I don’t need any extra motivation.”

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Rodriguez expected to arrive at Tigers camp

February 25, 2016

By Chris McCosky/ The Detroit News

Lakeland, Fla. — As the raindrops pounded the roof of the Tigers clubhouse Wednesday morning, manager

Brad Ausmus was asked when he was going to start being concerned about closer Francisco Rodriguez’s

prolonged absence.

“I don’t have a drop dead date,” he said. “He just needs to be here in time to be ready. I am assuming it’ll get

taken care of sooner than later.”

Much sooner.

Rodriguez’s visa issues have been cleared up and the Tigers expect him to arrive in Lakeland sometime

Wednesday. Once he passes his medical examination, he is expected to be in uniform and throwing Thursday.

He will have missed eight days of camp.

“There’s no concern from my standpoint,” pitching coach Rich Dubee said. “He’s been through this in the past,

so, no concern. I am sure he will be here in plenty of time.”

Rodriguez, the game’s active saves leader with 386, is 34 years old. The last two seasons with the Brewers he

saved 82 games and posted a WHIP under 1.00.

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New parking garage next to Comerica Park sought February 25, 2016

By Louis Aguilar/ The Detroit News

Owners of the Detroit Red Wings and Tigers seek to build a five-story parking garage next to Comerica Park.

The potential $28.7 million structure would be called Tiger Garage 2 and would have 900 parking spaces and

possible ground floor retail. It will be designed for use by patrons of Comerica Park as well as the new hockey

arena, Fox Theatre and St. Johns’ Episcopal Church, which is next to the future garage.

If things go as planned, the new parking garage could be open in time for the 2017 debut of the new $627

million home of the Red Wings. That venue is being built a few blocks north.

Representatives for the team owners indicated Wednesday the garage could also be used for future downtown

residents — a plan is in the works to build a new apartment building next to the garage.

Details were unveiled Wednesday afternoon at the board meeting of the Downtown Development Authority, a

unit of the city’s economic development agency.

At the site now is a surface parking lot with 300 spaces. The boundaries of the new garage would be Montcalm

to the south, the Interstate 75 service drive to the north, John R to the east and St. John’s Episcopal Church to

the west.

Doug Kuiper, spokesman for Ilitch Holdings, said the structure “will reflect the diverse architecture” of the

area. Plans call for trees and other landscaping.

The property is controlled by the Detroit-Wayne County Stadium Authority, which owns Comerica Park.

Approval from that authority could come as soon as Thursday. The project also would need approval from the

City of Detroit.

The Tigers and Red Wings are owned by Mike Ilitch. He and his wife Marian co-founded Little Caesars Pizza.

Other holdings include the Fox Theatre, Olympia Entertainment and extensive property near the new arena. The

new hockey arena is part of an ambitious plan to overhaul 45 blocks of the city with new residences, offices and

retail.

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Brad Ausmus expects to see improved Mike Pelfrey: 'I feel like there's more there' February 25, 2016

By Chris Iott/ MLive.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- For the most part, the numbers that right-hander Mike Pelfrey has posted in his career

seem somewhat ordinary when it comes to starters in the big leagues.

Pelfrey has a career ERA a shade over 4.50 and a career WHIP just a shade under 1.500. He averages just 5.1

strikeouts per nine innings. He has spent seven of his 10 seasons in the National League.

But that didn't stop the Detroit Tigers from signing him to a two-year deal worth $16 million this offseason.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus believes Pelfrey can be a better pitcher than he has shown in the past.

Pelfrey made four starts against the Tigers in 2015 while pitching for the Minnesota Twins. Ausmus apparently

liked what he saw.

"From the other side of the diamond, I feel like there's more there," Ausmus said. "I think being a couple years

out from surgery -- health is a good omen. We think, with the stuff that he has, that there's a little more in there.

"He's been a good big-league pitcher, but we feel like he could be a very good big-league pitcher."

Pelfrey had Tommy John surgery in 2012 and battled arm issues during the 2014 season. He made just three

starts in 2012 and five in 2014, but he has made 29 or more starts six times in the past eight seasons.

Ausmus was asked what he based his assessment on.

"It was based on a lot of things," he said. "Based on the eye test. Based on analytics."

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Detroit Tigers notes: Rain alters plans for first session of live batting practice

February 25, 2016

By Chris Iott/ MLive.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Neither hitters nor pitchers look forward to the start of live batting practice in spring

training.

The hitters got a bit of a reprieve Wednesday.

Heavy rains washed out most of the planned activities manager Brad Ausmus and the Detroit Tigers coaching

staff had planned for Wednesday. It also forced an alteration of the first day of live batting practice, which

features Tigers hitters taking swings while facing Tigers pitchers.

The Tigers have new batting cages this year that are lit much better than the ones they used in previous years.

Ausmus said Wednesday morning that the idea of holding live batting practice in the cages was considered.

In the end, they didn't to through with it. Not fully anyway.

"We had hitters stand in," Ausmus said following the workout. "No swings. So they faced hitters, but they didn't

really swing. They just tracked."

The first day of live batting practice is the first day in months that pitchers have thrown with someone standing

in the batter's box and the first day in months that hitters have to stand in the box against live pitching. Neither

pitchers nor hitters are a big fan of it.

"You've got to stand in versus your own pitcher," Ausmus said. "It's not a comfortable experience. It's a

necessary evil. Nobody likes it."

TIGERS NOTES

Stepping up: The fact that Ian Kinsler seemed to step forward as more of a vocal leader for the Tigers in 2015

was being discussed when Ausmus gave kudos to Miguel Cabrera for doing the same. "I think Miggy led a little

bit more than he has in the past really too last year vocally," Ausmus said.

All done: It seems that Victor Martinez's catching days are over. "I don't want to say never," Ausmus said, "but

I'd be surprised if a situation arose where we thought putting Victor Martinez behind the plate was the best

answer." Martinez last played catcher April 13, 2014, in an interleague game in San Diego. At this point, it

appears that Andrew Romine would be the emergency catcher for the Tigers.

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Closer Francisco Rodriguez on way to Lakeland, will work out Thursday with team

February 25, 2016

By Chris Iott/ MLive.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Brad Ausmus said Wednesday morning that he expects the situation with Francisco

Rodriguez to be resolved sooner rather than later.

"Sooner" should be anytime.

Rodriguez was en route to Lakeland on Wednesday afternoon and will be in uniform and work out with the

team Thursday morning, a source told MLive.com.

Lynn Henning of the Detroit News was the first to report that Rodriguez was expected to join the team

Thursday.

Rodriguez has been delayed by visa issues, which has become somewhat of an annual event for the veteran

right-hander. He apparently has those issues resolved.

Pitchers and catchers have been working out since Friday. The team's first full-squad workout was Tuesday. At

that point, Rodriguez was the only player unaccounted for.

Ausmus was asked Wednesday morning at what point Rodriguez's absence would become an issue for him.

"I don't know," Ausmus said. "I don't have a drop-dead point. He just needs to be here in time to be ready. I'm

assuming it will get taken care of sooner than later."

The Tigers obtained Rodriguez in November in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. Rodriguez has 386 career

saves, including 82 in the past two seasons with the Brewers.

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Spring training clubhouse job with Tigers all glamour to Grand Rapids resident February 25, 2016

By Peter Wallner/ MLive.com

Folding towels, doing laundry and sweeping floors doesn't sound like much fun, unless it's with the Detroit

Tigers.

Then all of a sudden, it's pretty cool and even sort of fame worthy, as Grand Rapids' Sam Reatini has discovered

this month.

He's the clubhouse attendant for the West Michigan Whitecaps and helping out doing the same with Detroit's

organizational operation at the team's spring training complex in Lakeland, Fla.

Right now, with players just working out and no games scheduled for another week, that's enough to make him

an attraction.

"We forgot to change our (Tigers) shirts and we still had on our khaki shorts and we were at Sam's Club and

people are coming up, 'Hey are you with the Tigers? You over with the team?'" Reatini said. "People stop us.

There are a lot of Tigers fans around here."

Reatini, who has been in Lakeland since Feb. 14, is entering his fourth season with the Whitecaps and second

year helping out the Detroit organization in spring training, serving as an assistant to John Nelson, the assistant

equipment manager of the Tigers.

Reatini, along with Nelson and two others, will keep tabs on the needs of close to 200 players who will flood

the facility by mid-March - from the Tigers' 40-man roster and non-roster invitees along with players jockeying

within Triple-A, Double-A, and two Class-A teams. Reatini is assigned to the minor league teams.

"All of the guys, for the most part, are great," he said. "They'll say hi, are respectful, and treat you well."

Reatini doesn't have favorites, but he does have a closer bond with former members of the Whitecaps, with

whom he worked with in recent seasons.

"It's really cool, with guys like Wynton Bernard, Montreal Robinson and Kevin Ziomek – they're all going for

spots," Reatini said. "So, it's nice that I already got to know them, see them progress. I just enjoy the whole

thing."

Reatini's role challenges the definition of glamorous. Once games start, he works 10 to 12 hours a day. The

daily duties include, but, as they say, are not limited to, multiple loads of laundry, folding hundreds of towels,

cleaning cleats, sweeping out the clubhouse, straightening up the lockers, taking out the trash and maintaining

supplies (like gum and sunflower seeds).

But wait. He is also with the Detroit Tigers. Say it slowly.

"I love it, it's great," he said. "People bring it up and I laugh and go, 'Ugh, if you only knew how many hours we

put in. It's not as much fun as you think.' But really it is."

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Nesbitt confident he has Major League ability February 25, 2016

By Jason Beck/ MLB.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Major League managers, Brad Ausmus among them, warn about putting too much stock

into Spring Training performance. The Grapefruit League sensation in March can be buried in the Minors by

midseason, if not sooner.

Angel Nesbitt was that pitcher last year -- from the Tigers' bullpen on Opening Day to Triple-A Toledo in mid-

June, from potential closer of the future discussion to no September callup. He's back this spring, and he thinks

he can show he belongs in the big leagues.

Spring Training: Tickets | Schedule | Complete info

"I think I feel ready," he said. "If they give me another chance, I'm going to be good."

However, he returns knowing better than to try to prove a point. That was part of his struggle in the first place.

"Just throw the ball," he said. "Have fun. Be consistent. Hit the spot. Be smart. That's what I have to do."

That's what he did last spring, his first big league camp, to get his chance. For a month and a half, Nesbitt was a

productive rookie, allowing four earned runs on nine hits over 13 1/3 innings with two walks and 11 strikeouts.

He gave up the go-ahead run in a 10-inning loss to the Royals on May 10, but he came back with a scoreless

10th to get the win over the Twins two days later.

Once the struggles arrived, he couldn't shake them, giving up nine runs on 13 hits and six walks in 8 1/3 innings

over his final 11 appearances. That followed him to Toledo, where he gave up 54 hits and 21 walks over 40 1/3

innings to go with a 6.25 ERA.

"When I came to Toledo, I was doing the same thing the first week or two," Nesbitt said. "I was thinking too

much like, 'I'm going to come back this week, I'm going to come back [the next] week.'"

He regained some momentum in winter ball, tossing 6 1/3 scoreless innings with one hit, three walks and five

strikeouts for Margarita in the Venezuelan League. He then picked up some tips from Tigers teammate and

fellow Venezuelan Anibal Sanchez, with whom he worked out in January.

"We were working on his release point," Sanchez said. "He needed to be more in front. He had trouble with

location. Everything I said to him was [to] just focus more on the location than throwing hard."

When Nesbitt throws hard, he can be intimidating, hitting the upper 90s with his fastball. But he has to locate.

Sanchez and Nesbitt also talked about the importance of getting loose so he can repeat his delivery, given his

big frame (6-foot-1, 240 pounds) and tight arms.

While Nesbitt's two months in the big leagues knocked him off of MLB.com's Tigers prospects list, it didn't

knock him out of the Tigers' thought process.

"He's still got very good stuff," Ausmus said. "He still has a chance to be a very good Major League pitcher.

But he's young. He basically jumped a level [last year] and has since gone back to Triple-A, and hopefully he's

learned from his experience."

18

Ausmus: Miggy may play 3B to open season

February 25, 2016

By Alicia DelGallo/ MLB.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- There could be a new face at third base for the Detroit Tigers when they open the 2016

season with a two-game series in Miami -- Miguel Cabrera.

"Yea, Miguel is an option at third base the first couple of games," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said

Wednesday at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland. "He is, assuming Vic's OK at first."

That's Victor Martinez, who will serve as designated hitter for much of the year, except during Interleague Play,

which inconveniently bookends the Tigers' season.

If this scenario happens, starting third baseman Nick Castellanos would get a day or two on the bench.

"It's odd, it's a little strange," Ausmus said of opening and closing the season with Interleague Play. "Little bit of

an inconvenience for us, because we're a team that has a DH in Victor Martinez. Should we be forced to not

play Victor a game or two, or three, because of that? Especially if we're looking at the end of the season, we're

fighting for a playoff spot. That's not ideal, for sure."

Cabrera didn't play the hot corner at all last season, but he has played 696 career games there, including 688

starts.

Former players return

Todd Jones has joined camp as the newest former Tiger to serve as special assistant.

Jones, who pitched in the league for 16 years -- and with the Tigers from 1997-2001 and '06-'08 -- is providing

another set of eyes for relief pitchers, working to help them prepare and understand their roles and "recognize

when they're going to be used and be ready for that situation before the phone rings," Ausmus said.

"Some organizations do it more than others. I was one of the old players in San Diego," Ausmus said. "This

year, we have more than we have had in the past. It's really a good way to stay involved in baseball. It's about

being committed to the baseball grind.

"Special assistant is the best gig in the game. You can still take summer vacations. Definitely don't make the

money, but the time generally can be set by you."

Kenny Rogers, a 1996 World Series champion with the Yankees, five-time Gold Glove Award winner and four-

time All-Star, also will help out with his former team this season, joining others such as Alan Trammell and

Kirk Gibson. Rogers closed his 20-year career with the Tigers from 2006-08.

Rained out

Thunderstorms spoiled the Tigers' training camp plans Wednesday.

Instead of pitchers throwing live batting practice, as planned, they threw indoors with hitters standing in, no

swings. Hitters then took to the batting cages.

Ausmus had no health updates to give after the workout, and said he will reveal the rotation later this week.

19

K-Rod to report Thursday; Cabrera provides interleague option at third

February 25, 2016

By Katie Strang/ ESPN.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Tigers closer Francisco Rodriguez is en route to Lakeland and is expected to join the team

for spring training on Thursday, someone with knowledge of the situation informed ESPN.com.

The 34-year-old reliever had previously been absent from the first week of pitchers and catchers workouts

because of visa issues.

Rodriguez, acquired by the team this winter via a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, has been the only notable

player missing since the full team convened at Joker Marchant Stadium, though the Tigers seemed unfazed by

his absence.

Early Wednesday morning, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus was asked at what point Rodriguez' absence would

become problematic.

"I don't know. I don't have a drop-dead date. He just needs to be here in time to be ready," Ausmus said.

Ausmus added that he hoped the situation would be resolved sooner rather than later, and it appears he will get

his wish.

Pitchers and catchers officially reported last Thursday.

Poor weather forced the club to ditch its original plans for Wednesday -- when the team was slated to have its

first day of live batting practice -- and instead headed for the batting cages. Ausmus said he did have hitters

stand in for live pitching, but they did not have the hitters swing. The team finished the day with batting practice

and plans to return to the original schedule of workouts on Thursday. A downpour of rain and a smattering of

lightning occupied the morning hours at Joker Marchant Stadium and a tornado warning was issued early in the

afternoon.

A bizarre scheduling quirk has the Tigers both opening and ending the 2016 season with interleague play,

posing an interesting dilemma for the club's lineup on both bookends of the year: What to do about designated

hitter Victor Martinez."It's a little bit of an inconvenience for us because we're one of those teams that really has

a DH in Victor Martinez, so in that sense, yes," Ausmus said. "Should we be forced to not play Victor a game or

two or three because of that, especially if you're looking at the end of the season and we're fighting for a playoff

spot, that's not ideal, for sure." Ausmus conceded that slugger Miguel Cabrera would be an option to use at third

base to make a spot within the lineup to accommodate Martinez."Yeah. He is assuming Vic's all right at first

[base]."

20

Tigers making adjustments starting season in National League ballpark February 25, 2016

By Shawn Ramsey/ FOXSports.com

The Detroit Tigers are starting the season with interleague play visiting the Miami Marlins. In order to get

Victor Martinez's bat in the lineup, the Tigers are needing to move the veteran slugger from DH to first base,

meaning Miguel Cabrera may have to move across the diamond to third, according MLB.com.

"Yea, Miguel is an option at third base the first couple of games," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus told MLB.com

Wednesday. "He is, assuming Vic's OK at first."

With the scenario starting third baseman Nick Castellanos will be coming off the bench for the opening series

on the road playing in a National League ballpark. Along with starting the season with interleague play, the

Tigers will also close the regular season playing the Braves in Atlanta.

"It's odd, it's a little strange," Ausmus said of opening and closing the season with Interleague Play. "Little bit of

an inconvenience for us, because we're a team that has a DH in Victor Martinez. Should we be forced to not

play Victor a game or two, or three, because of that? Especially if we're looking at the end of the season, we're

fighting for a playoff spot. That's not ideal, for sure."

While Cabrera may be a little rusty at third base as he didn't play the position at all in 2015, he has plenty of

experience with 688 starts at the hot corner.

21

For Al and Alex Avila, business side of baseball separates them again

February 25, 2016

By Jorge Ortiz/ USAToday.com

PHOENIX – New Chicago White Sox catcher Alex Avila says he grew up in a “very typical,’’ tight-knit Cuban

family. Just as much, it was a baseball family, with three generations of Avilas making their mark in the big

leagues and understanding the business side of the game.

That’s why when his father, Al, let him go in his first big decision as general manager of the Detroit Tigers,

Alex not only understood but saw the move coming.

Just don’t try explaining that to grandma Gloria. She’s still upset her son wouldn’t keep her grandkid around.

Three months after getting his dream job in early August, Al Avila faced the kind of decision that could tear a

family apart. With rookie James McCann establishing himself as a solid major league catcher last season, Avila

had to figure out what direction to take regarding a seven-year veteran coming off an injury-marred season and

heading into free agency.

That player just happened to carry his genes.

“From a business perspective it was kind of a no-brainer, because we had a young player in McCann,’’ said the

Cuban-born Avila, who replaced Dave Dombrowski and is baseball’s only Latino GM. “That’s what every

organization wants, to bring up a young player to take over a guy who’s making money, as long as you feel he’s

going to be a real good player.

“And Alex needed to start in a new place that offered the opportunity to bounce back and reestablish himself.

So it made a lot of sense for us to make the change. But from a family perspective or a personal perspective,

yeah, it was very difficult, because you see your family less.’’

In his 24 years in pro ball, Al had missed the vast majority of Alex’s games growing up, as he traveled

extensively for his job as a scouting director and later assistant GM with the then-Florida Marlins, and the last

14 years as the Tigers’ assistant GM, while the family stayed home in South Florida.

Father and son had made up for lost games over the last seven seasons, but in November they parted ways

professionally when Alex signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the AL Central rival White Sox.

An All-Star in 2011, when he had 19 homers, 82 RBI and an .895 on-base plus slugging percentage, Alex has

had his career sidetracked by concussions, a knee injury last season and diminished offensive production. But at

29 he wasn’t ready to accept a backup role and opted instead to join the White Sox, where the lefty-swinging

Avila figures to platoon with fellow newcomer Dioner Navarro.

The lessons passed down from his dad and grandfather – legendary scout and former Dodgers VP Ralph Avila –

taught Alex to separate the baseball business from the personal side, so he left Detroit with no hard feelings.

“I’ve watched him and Dave (Dombrowski) and my grandfather long enough to where I have a pretty good idea

of what goes into front-office decision-making,’’ said Alex, who batted .191 in 67 games last season. “If I was

the general manager, I would do the same thing.

“We were both blessed in the fact we got to go to work in the same place every day, and getting a chance to see

my family all the time. As a kid growing up that wasn’t always the case because we’re a baseball family, so

we’re moving around.’’

While Al Avila always found it awkward to have his son on the team he worked for – and actually opposed the

Tigers drafting Alex in 2008, when he went in the fifth round – the younger Avila didn’t feel the same way.

That may have something to do with the difference between playing and being in a decision-making position.

Felipe Alou is one of seven men to manage a son in the majors, and the only one to do it with two teams, having

joined forces with son Moises on the Montreal Expos and San Francisco Giants. Felipe also managed son Jose

in the minors and said the arrangement has more cons than pros.

“It’s hard to treat your son the same way you treat other people’s sons, but you have to,’’ Felipe Alou said. “It’s

not easy. You’ve had your son at home, taken him to school as a kid, to the doctor, you fed him. Then one day

he’s on your team and you have to treat him equally. To me, that’s the hardest part.’’

22

GM-player combinations of fathers and sons in the majors have been even more rare. The only other one in

memory involved longtime Los Angeles Dodgers executive Al Campanis, who upon becoming the club’s

general manager in 1968 traded son Jim to the Kansas City Royals.

Frank Wren never had that chance. The Atlanta Braves fired Wren, now with the Boston Red Sox, in September

2014. Two months later, the club traded his son, outfielder Kyle Wren, to the Milwaukee Brewers.

The elder Campanis may have established the blueprint for separating sentimentality from business that the

Avilas still follow. After all, he and Ralph Avila were so tight, Alex was named after him. None of which can

convince Ralph’s longtime wife, Gloria, that letting Alex walk was a good idea.

Al Avila said his wife, Yamile, understood the decision, but his mother has not come around. And even he

occasionally seems to have some pangs of remorse.

“I miss my son. I wish he was here because I’d get to see him every day,’’ Al Avila said from the Tigers’ spring

training camp in Lakeland, Fla. “In fact, last spring training we roomed together. This year I’m by myself. You

would think my wife would be here with me today, but she’s actually in Arizona with him and the grandkids.

"And now I have family members wearing Chicago White Sox gear.’’

23

Miguel Cabrera may open 2016 at third base and it's not a crazy idea February 25, 2016

By Mike Axisa/ CBSSports.com

Thanks to the magic of interleague play, Miguel Cabrera may open the 2016 season at third base for the Tigers.

Detroit opens the new season with a quick two-game series against the Marlins in Miami.

On Wednesday manager Brad Ausmus confirmed the team is at least considering playing Cabrera at third base

for those two games, assuming Victor Martinez is able to play first. From MLB.com's Alicia DelGallo:

"Yea, Miguel is an option at third base the first couple of games," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said

Wednesday at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland. "He is, assuming Vic's OK at first."

The Tigers actually begin and end the 2016 season on the road in NL parks. They open the season in Miami and

end it with three games in Atlanta against the Braves.

Cabrera is certainly no stranger to third base. He's played almost 700 career games at the hot corner, including

145 games in 2013. Cabrera played only 10 games at third in 2014 though, and none in 2015.

A calf injury limited Miggy to 119 games last season, and he had ankle surgery during the 2014-15 offseason,

so his legs have taken a beating in recent years. Cabrera turns 33 in April and, simply put, his mobility is not

what it once was.

By any objective measure, Cabrera is a below-average fielder at third base. He was when he last played the

position regularly and I doubt his glovework has improved any as he's gotten older and dealt with more leg

injuries. That doesn't mean playing him at third in the opening series is crazy.

For starters, it's only two games. That's nothing. Not the end of the world. Secondly, he would be replacing

Nick Castellanos, who also rates as a well-below-average fielder. The Tigers would essentially be trading

Castellanos' bat for Martinez's bat with a small hit on defense.

And third, Justin Verlander and Jordan Zimmermann figure start the first two games of the season for Detroit.

Verlander and Zimmermann ranked 131st and 97th, respectively, in ground ball rate among the 141 pitches to

throw at least 100 innings in 2015. They're fly ball pitchers, meaning fewer ground balls for Miggy.

If there's a physical reason Cabrera can't play third base -- or Martinez can't play first -- then don't do it. But as

long as everyone is healthy, I say go for it.

24

LAST UPDATED: THU, FEBRUARY 25, 2016, 03:04 EST

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Los Angeles Dodgers Jamey Wright Signed to a Minor League Contract

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2016

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Colorado Rockies Jose Reyes Placed on Restricted List

Detroit Tigers Casey McGehee Signed to a Minor League Contract

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Atlanta Braves Jeff Francoeur Signed to a Minor League Contract

Chicago Cubs Manny Parra Signed to a Minor League Contract

Chicago White Sox Jimmy Rollins Signed to a Minor League Contract

Colorado Rockies Christian Friedrich Cleared Waivers and Became a Free Agent

Milwaukee Brewers Sean Nolin Acquired Off Waivers From from Athletics, Oakland