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Detroit Tigers Clips

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Detroit Free Press

Seidel: Tigers’ course may include trading All-Stars like JV, J.D. (Seidel) Sharp: Tigers can’t overspend anymore; now try convincing Ilitch (Sharp) Detroit Tigers could have hitting coach by end of week (Fenech)

Al Avila: 'Changes are coming' to the Detroit Tigers (Fenech)

Quick hits from Detroit Tigers GM Al Avila's news conference (Fenech)

What if Detroit Tigers part with Maybin, K-Rod? Al Avila explains (Sipple)

The Detroit News

Tigers haven’t decided on options for K-Rod, Maybin (McCosky)

Avila: Tigers ‘need to get younger, leaner’ (McCosky)

Henning: Avila ready to deal in mission to remake Tigers (Henning)

MLive.com

New era for Tigers? 7 takeaways from Al Avila's press conference (Woodbery)

Al Avila says Tigers' free-spending days are over: 'Changes are coming' (Woodbery)

MLB.com

Tigers going in 'younger, leaner' direction (Beck)

Oakland Press

Tigers’ free-spending days are at an end; Avila: ‘Changes are coming’ (Mowery)

Tigers near decision on hitting coach, no decision on Maybin, K-Rod options (Mowery)

Pat Caputo - Al Avila, the Tigers and an off season plan not exactly reassuring (Caputo)

CBSDetroit.com

Al Avila: Changes Are Coming, Tigers Likely To Cut Costs (Burchfield)

WXYZ.com

Tigers plan for leaner payroll, younger roster in 2017 (Galli)

Daily Transactions

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Seidel: Tigers’ course may include trading All-Stars like JV, J.D. October 19, 2016

By Jeff Seidel/ Detroit Free Press

Come here, buddy. Have I got a deal for you?

My name is Al. Al Avila. I’m the general manager of the Detroit Tigers, and I’ll be your lead salesman today.

Don’t be shy. Come on in.

I want you to know that everything is for sale. Well, almost everything. Not those young guys in the corner, but

darn near everybody else.

As long as it makes sense.

We accept Visa, MasterCard and even Kroger gas points, if you got ’em. But more than anything, we want

players, a whole bunch of ’em. We need a little bit of everything. We want some good, young, power arms. We

want some young outfielders who can hit and run. We have to get better on the bases. Putting a beer-league

softball team out there, loaded with right-handed sluggers, just hasn’t gotten it done. We could use plenty of

help in the bullpen. We need some starting pitchers because, well, we just don’t have much depth in the

organization.

Some of the issues are on me. In my first year, I wasn’t very good at free agency. I can admit that.

This is a new era of Tigers baseball. We are in the middle of a retool, or a reboot, or whatever you want to call

it. It’s like trying to get a freighter to turn around on a dime.

That’s not easy to admit. For years, we kept handing out huge contracts and trading young prospects, trying to

get over the hump, trying to get Mr. I that championship, and we just couldn’t do it. We didn’t win the World

Series. And now, it’s time to chart a new course.

Just two years ago, we traded second baseman Devon Travis to Toronto for Anthony Gose, trying to plug a hole

in centerfield. What a mistake. We just can’t think that way anymore. We have to hold onto our young

prospects, and we need more of ’em.

The only way to get ’em, in a hurry, is through trades.

Let me take you over here to our vintage rack. I’ve got something special for you.

His name is Justin Verlander.

J.V. has been a great Tiger, and we don’t want to get rid of him. We have all the respect in the world for

Verlander and owe him so much for what he has given to this organization, but everything has changed. We

can’t afford him, not in this new reality. Not under this new plan.

Our payroll is more bloated than a beached whale, and we have to cut costs. Last year, we spent north of $210

million when you add in all the benefits, and we got zilch for it. Our attendance went down and we had to pay a

luxury tax.

The truth is, we won’t be as good next season because we can’t add through free agency and we have decided to

go into sell mode. A rebuild. And J.V. deserves to be on a winner.

What’s it going to cost you? Oh, my friend, let’s not talk cost, let’s talk opportunity. This is your opportunity to

get a bulldog, a fierce competitor and a winner. Of course, well, we will want your top prospects. All of ’em.

And we won’t send him to just anybody. J.V. could veto a trade. So it’s got to be some place special.

What’s that you say? You want an outfielder?

Well, then, take a look at J.D. Martinez. He’s a great human being. A great hitter. The problem is, we have him

for only one more year. We aren’t going to offer him a long-term contract. Heck no. That would cost a mint.

We are trying to get younger, faster, better defensively and cheaper — and Martinez is none of those things.

Again, that’s not knocking J.D. He’s a great man and a tremendous baseball player. But he just doesn’t fit with

our new philosophy.

Go ahead. Browse a little bit. We’d be willing to hear offers for everybody: Miguel Cabrera, Ian Kinsler, Victor

Martinez. Nobody is sacred. Nothing is untouchable, for the right deal. Yes, some have no-trade situations, but

that can be worked out.

Take a look at Justin Upton. Do you know he hit .292 over the last 27 games last season, with 13 home runs?

Think about that. Wouldn’t he look good in your lineup?

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This isn’t easy for us to sell these guys. But we just want you to know, we are ready to make a deal.

Heck yes, there is a lot of pressure on me. This is like trying to solve a huge Rubik’s Cube. One wrong move

could mess up everything and set this organization back for years.

But if I make the right twist or two, or three, or four, we just might have something that lasts.

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Sharp: Tigers can’t overspend anymore; now try convincing Ilitch

October 19, 2016

By Drew Sharp/ Detroit Free Press

Al Avila couldn’t find the right “re-” word in describing the dawn of the Tigers’ new era of fiscal austerity.

Rebuild? Retool? Replenish?

“I don’t know if there’s a term for what I want do here,” the Tigers’ general manager said today. “I really don’t.

If you guys can come up with a slogan, let me know and we’ll go with it.”

Avila finally opted for “responsible.”

He deftly portrayed a franchise which has spent beyond its resources and simply cannot continue down a path of

bloated contracts for under-producing veterans amid gradually shrinking ticket sales.

Avila didn’t concede that the Tigers could no longer compete for the playoffs. But if the actual objective is

championship contention by the end of the decade, then it’s time for the Tigers to begin the redistribution of

precious capital away from the high-impact superstar and more toward a better balanced, more efficient roster.

Avila promised open-mindedness when discussing trade possibilities. But his toughest sales pitch involved the

only opinion that matters.

During the end-of-season meetings in Lakeland, Fla., last week, Avila recommended to owner Mike Ilitch that

the Tigers immediately embark upon a more economically sustainable blueprint. He called it nothing more than

“a conversation,” giving ownership a practical synopsis of what Avila believed offered the Tigers the best

opportunity to remain competitively relevant while becoming more fiscally responsible.

“I merely laid out to Mr. Ilitch what I thought was the best approach for us going forward,” Avila said, “in

terms of addressing both our needs and our goals.”

It was no doubt a delicate conversation. How do you tell an 87-year-old owner still passionate about bringing

home a World Series championship that his star-driven, high-price tag strategy failed in delivering the ultimate

prize?

Perhaps even more challenging is convincing Ilitch that the quickest path toward winning enough games with

newer, younger players at a cheaper cost might involve dangling a local icon, like right-hander Justin Verlander,

in trade discussions.

“It’s not going to be easy,” Avila said about payroll paring. “But it has to be done.”

According to Tigers’ vice president John Westhoff, the Tigers are one of a half dozen teams paying a luxury tax

this year. Westhoff approximated the total cost somewhere around $3 million. The luxury tax threshold was

$189 million. Teams are taxed at 10% of the total cost overrun in the first year.

Teams like the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels can better

withstand the extra expense because all four have extraordinarily lucrative regional television contracts.

The Tigers could never keep up with them. But there was something happily defiant about Ilitch’s aggressive

spending the last 10 years. He got two American League pennants and four straight divisional titles,

reintroducing baseball to a younger demographic which had previously abandoned the team.

It’s hard imagining Ilitch suddenly advocating austerity. It goes against impulse, as well as history. He wants to

win now.

What happens if January comes and there’s a premium free agent surprisingly still out there unsigned — like

Prince Fielder in 2012 and Justin Upton earlier this year? Regardless of Avila’s sound assessment of the Tigers’

current and long-range state, who’s capable of containing Ilitch if he feels the need to make one last charge up

the hill with an open checkbook?

It’s still Ilitch’s team. It’s still his money. Avila can advise and counsel, but he serves at the pleasure of

ownership.

“I don’t think that we can continue doing this because, eventually, the bubble’s going to burst,” Avila said.

In some ways, it already did with Tuesday’s admission. An era ended. It was inevitable.

It doesn’t mean the Tigers are destined for a return to the desolation of 1988 to 2005, but they must adopt a

business model more compatible to their economic limitations.

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Detroit Tigers could have hitting coach by end of week

October 19, 2016

By Anthony Fenech/ Detroit Free Press

The Detroit Tigers might have a new hitting coach by the end of the week, and it could be a familiar face. Wally

Joyner, who served as hitting coach since 2014, recently left to pursue other opportunities.

General manager Al Avila said today that manager Brad Ausmus has talked to a few candidates.

“And I would say we’re very close,” Avila said. “We’re close in deciding. I’m hoping, maybe, by the end of the

week. Now, because of the playoffs and all that, we just can’t announce anything like that on any given day

without permission. I’m hoping that we can come up with a final decision by the end of the week. I’m not going

to say that we are going to (have one) by the end of the week, I’m just hopeful that we are."

Asked whether there were any internal candidates, Avila said: “Yes, as a matter of fact. Every position, we

always consider internal candidates. That’s where you really like to start, if it’s possible.”

Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens manager Lloyd McClendon, a former manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Seattle

Mariners, was the Tigers’ hitting coach in 2007-13. He was invited by Ausmus to be with the club after the Mud

Hens’ season ended.

Mud Hens hitting coach Leon (Bull) Durham has been considered by other MLB clubs in the past. Double-A

coach Phil Clark also is highly thought of by the organization. Clark, a first-round draft pick by the Tigers in

1986, returned to the organization in 2015, after spending the previous eight seasons as a coach in the Cleveland

Indians’ farm system.

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Al Avila: 'Changes are coming' to the Detroit Tigers

October 19, 2016

By Anthony Fenech/ Detroit Free Press

After a short-by-his-standards introduction this afternoon -- talking about how the Detroit Tigers fell short of

their goal this past season and how they had a good season but not good enough, and how he wasn’t happy

about missing the postseason -- second-year general manager Al Avila said this: “Changes are coming."

“Saying that," he continued, "I think we’re ready for any questions that you might have to ask.”

Forty-eight minutes later, the answer to how next season’s Tigers will look seemed cloudier than ever.

“The way we’re approaching this off-season, it’s not going to really be an exact science,” Avila said. “We have

to be open-minded to anything.”

Avila touched on a number of topics, the most important being the team’s payroll. He said his top two priorities

this off-season are getting younger and trying to create some sort of financial flexibility for a roster packed with

long-term, lucrative contracts for aging players.

Though he said it will be a long process -- and many times referred to the process as “difficult” -- Avila stopped

short of saying that the Tigers are in a rebuilding process.

“I can’t call it a rebuild because we haven’t really broken anything down,” he said. “I’m not comfortable with

the word ‘rebuild.’ I don’t think that’s the right term. I’ve read ‘retool,’ but I don’t know if that’s the right term.

I don’t know if there’s a term for what I want to do here. I really don’t. If you guys can come up with a slogan,

let me know, and we’ll go with it.

“In describing the process, you can probably name it however you want to name it. It’s, 'Hey, we want to get

younger, we want to get leaner, we want to run the organization without having to go over the means of the

organization.'

“It’s not going to be easy, but it has to be done.”

The team went 86-75 this season, finishing in second place in the American League Central division and 2 1/2

games out of the league’s final postseason spot. Its payroll checked in over $200 million, highest in franchise

history and above Major League Baseball’s luxury-tax limit.

If they were to bring back the band next season -- including picking up contract options for centerfielder

Cameron Maybin at $9 million and closer Francisco Rodriguez at $6 million -- they once again would have a

large payroll and little flexibility. On paper, they would appear to be a postseason contender.

But in following Avila’s recent recommendation to team owner Mike Ilitch, the Tigers might have to part with

key players through trades, which could change the dynamic of their chances in the immediate future.

“That’s a tightrope that we have to walk on,” Avila said. “We certainly want to stay competitive, we certainly

want to try and get back into the playoffs. But at the same time, this organization has been working way above

its means, as far as payroll, for many, many years, and it’s put us in a situation where, quite frankly, it’s very

difficult to maneuver.”

They might not find smooth sailing in the trade market. Of their big contracts, some, such as starting pitcher

Jordan Zimmermann and leftfielder Justin Upton, have no-trade protection. Others, such as ace Justin Verlander

and first baseman Miguel Cabrera, are faces of the franchise. Designated hitter Victor Martinez has 10-and-5

rights, which affords him a full no-trade clause. Righty Anibal Sanchez -- who perhaps represents the team’s

predicament better than any other player -- will earn those rights this season.

“My opinion, my recommendation is we don’t continue on that trend,” Avila said. “Because it would definitely

be detrimental to this organization as we move forward. So in saying that, yes, we want to win, we want to be

competitive, we want to get back into the playoffs, but at the same time, we have to see how that’s done.”

Avila said he did not have a hard number on the team’s 2017 payroll, and that the decisions on Maybin and

Rodriguez could come down to the final day. He said no player would be spared in trade discussions with other

teams, should the return better the organization now or in the future. He said that the team likely would not be a

big player in free agency.

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Much of what he said today was different than what he said last off-season -- and different that what former

general manager Dave Dombrowski said during his 13-year tenure with the team. What it means remains to be

seen, but change is coming.

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Quick hits from Detroit Tigers GM Al Avila's news conference

October 19, 2016

By Anthony Fenech/ Detroit Free Press

Quick hits from Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila's season-ending news conference today:

• Avila's 48 minutes, paraphrased: The Tigers will try to get younger and leaner in payroll, and it's his hope that

they will compete in 2017.

• The Tigers will not be big players in the free agent market.

• They will likely look to the free agent market for a backup catcher. Former Tiger Alex Avila will be

considered.

• The Tigers' payroll won't go up. He wouldn't say it would go down, but "usually, it will be opposite."

• "It's not going to be easy," Avila said. "But it has to be done."

• The Tigers have yet to decide on exercising the contract options of centerfielder Cameron Maybin and closer

Francisco Rodriguez.

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What if Detroit Tigers part with Maybin, K-Rod? Al Avila explains

October 19, 2016

By George Sipple/ Detroit Free Press

The Detroit Tigers have not yet decided whether to exercise their contract options on closer Francisco

Rodriguez and centerfielder Cameron Maybin.

General manager Al Avila met with reporters today at Comerica Park and said he'll probably wait until the last

possible moment to decide. That would be three days after the World Series ends.

Avila made it clear that the Tigers can’t continue to spend as much as they have in the past. He plans to explore

trades that help the team get younger and leaner.

The Tigers have a $9-million club option on Maybin, with a $1-million buyout. Maybin, who turns 30 next

April, batted .315 with 65 runs over 94 games but battled through a number of injuries.

JaCoby Jones and Anthony Gose would be the top internal options if the Tigers don’t bring back Maybin. Jones,

who bats right-handed, turns 25 in May. Gose, who bats left-handed, turns 27 in August.

"JaCoby Jones is a viable option," Avila said. "I think there's people in the organization that feel that he could

use more time in Toledo. I'm of the opinion that he could use more time in Toledo.

“But if he has a strong Arizona Fall League, comes in spring training and really has a good spring, I can't rule

out that he might not be the guy. Particularly if you can match him up with another guy that hits from the left

side and can give him some days off on some tough right-handed pitchers. That's one option.”

Gose, who started in centerfield while Maybin began the season on the disabled list, struggled to hit in the

majors, Triple-A and Double-A this season. Assistant general manager David Chadd said Gose is too young and

talented to give up.

But Avila could consider acquiring a centerfielder via trade. Avila showed reporters a thick binder that included

scouting recommendations for other clubs.

“There's a lot of guys in here that can play outfielder real well but don't hit as well, and there's a few guys that

hit pretty good but maybe they're not the best fielders," he said. "It's all kinds, you know. It's hard to say you're

going to put the perfect team all in one shot, because you have to consider what's available, what you can

acquire and then going through that process ... is trying to put the best team forward. You may not have the

perfect team, but hopefully, you have a team that can compete and can continue to compete in the future.”

Avila refused to say whom he thought could be the team’s closer if he doesn’t bring back Rodriguez, who turns

35 in January. The Tigers have a club option for $6 million, with a $2-million buyout.

Rodriguez had a 3.24 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP last season. He was 3-4 with 44 saves and 52 strikeouts in 58 1/3

innings.

Asked about other closer options, he said: “I don’t want to name anybody right now. If we don’t pick up K-

Rod’s option, then obviously, you’re looking for a guy to fill that role.”

Avila did mention the importance of Bruce Rondon and Joe Jimenez to the bullpen going forward.

“We would have to consider everyone in a trade,” Avila said. “But as far as the young guys, Rondon has made a

good impression and has done very well for us this past season.

“Jimenez went right through the minor leagues. I know there was a big push for him to come up here, but trust

me that it would not have been in his best interests or our best interests. There were some things he needed to

work on, in particular, his slider. And just his command overall. There are certain things that you can do in the

minor leagues that you can't do at the big-league level. When we bring up (a player), we want to make sure that

he's coming up to have success. We don't want to go through the same mistake we did with Bruce in the past,

where it just didn't work out right away. We want to be a little bit more cautious with Jimenez.”

Avila said he wouldn’t rule out Jimenez making the team out of spring training next season.

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Tigers haven’t decided on options for K-Rod, Maybin

October 19, 2016

By Chris McCosky/ The Detroit News

Detroit – Tigers general manager Al Avila said Tuesday the club had not yet decided whether to exercise their

options on closer Francisco Rodriguez ($6 million) or center fielder Cameron Maybin ($9 million).

He also said it was unlikely the club would be negotiating a long-term extension with right fielder J.D. Martinez

any time soon.

“Going into 2017, J.D. is our right fielder,” Avila said. “I don’t foresee any talk of a long-term contract. I can’t

rule out that we would (at some point) consider a long-term deal, but sitting here today, I’m not thinking that

way.”

Martinez signed a two-year contract worth $18.5 million before last season. He will earn $11.75 next season.

As for Maybin and Rodriguez, Avila said, “We have until just after the World Series (to decide). We will

probably wait all the way to the final day.”

Avila made it clear in his post-season address Tuesday the goal of the team moving forward was to get younger

and reduce payroll. While their contracts, by market standards, are reasonable for a starting center fielder who

hit .315 last season and Major League’s active saves leader, Maybin will be 30 and Rodriguez 35 next season.

Avila would not list any potential in-house candidate for the closer role, should they not pick up Rodriguez’s

option, though Bruce Rondon would likely be first in line. As for center field options, JaCoby Jones might be a

long-shot.

“If we decide not to pick up (Maybin’s) option, we need a center fielder,” Avila said. “JaCoby Jones is a viable

option. I think there's people in the organization that feel that he could use more time in Toledo. I'm of the

opinion that he could use more time in Toledo.

“But if he has a strong Arizona Fall League, comes in spring training and really has a good spring, I can't rule

out that he might not be the guy. Particularly if you can match him up with another guy that hits from the left

side and can give him some days off on some tough right-handed pitchers.”

Avila said Anthony Gose, the Tigers’ Opening Day starter in center last season before being demoted all the

way to Double-A, would also have a chance to win back a spot on the 25-man roster.

Most likely, though, if Maybin isn’t brought back, the Tigers would seek a center fielder through trade.

“Until we get into those discussions I don't know,” he said.

Jimenez, Stewart ready?

Like he was with Jones, Avila remains steadfast against rushing some of the younger talent to the big leagues.

He was asked about two players specifically Tuesday – right-handed relief pitcher Joe Jimenez and outfielder

Christin Stewart.

“Jimenez went right through the minor leagues and I know there was a big push for him to come up here,”

Avila said. “But trust me, it would not have been in his best interests or our best interests. There were some

things he needed to work on, in particular his slider.”

He also needed to improve the command of his fastball.

“When we bring up, we want to make sure that he's coming up to have success,” Avila said. “We don't want to

go through the same mistake we did with Bruce (Rondon) in the past where it just didn't work out right away.

We want to be a little bit more cautious with Jimenez.”

Avila said he hopes Jimenez can contribute at the big league level at some point next season.

As for Stewart, a slugging, left-handed hitting outfielder, his arrival time seems more in the 2018 range.

“We need left-handed bats in the lineup; that’s no secret,” Avila said. “He’s one guy that can fill that role, if not

early 2017 than at some point late 2017 or probably 2018. I don’t want to put a time frame, a hard time frame,

on it. We need a guy like that, so the faster he comes the better for us. We’re not going to push it.

“The last thing you want to do is bring up a guy, he has failure and you have to send him back and start the

whole process all over again.”

Avila described Stewart as “adequate” defensively.

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“He’s a guy that he’s going to have to hit in order for him to really help you win,” he said. “As far as his

defense, I don’t think he’s going to be a butcher out there, but I don’t think he’s going to be a Gold Glover

either.”

Decision time

Several Tigers players, even some with expensive contracts, could be facing do-or-die spring trainings this year.

Avila said pitchers Mark Lowe ($5.5 million) and Mike Pelfrey ($8 million), both underperformers last season,

would have to earn their spots in 2017 – as would infielder Dixon Machado and outfielders Gose, Steven Moya

and Tyler Collins, all out of minor league options.

“Those guys are either going to have to make the club or not,” Avila said. “You can’t option them out anymore.

So we’re going to have to make some tough decisions there. They might be contributors at the end of the day,

but going into where we’re at right now, I couldn’t tell you what we’re going to do with them at this point.”

As for Lowe, Avila said, “My hope is that he comes to spring training and that over the offseason through his

workout routine -- and I know he's a guy that takes care of himself -- that he comes back. If he's not back to

what he was a couple of seasons ago, at least he's a serviceable a pitcher in that bullpen.

“If not, then we'll have to make decisions at that point of what we do from there.”

Same goes for Pelfrey, who seems a better bet for a bullpen role in 2017 than a starter.

“He's going to come in and compete,” Avila said. “When we originally signed him we were hoping that he

would be a fourth or fifth starter and give us some innings. If he comes back and shows that he can do that, then

that'll be how he's used.

“If we feel he might a bit more effective out of the bullpen, then that'll be how he's used. If he's not, then we'll

have to make a decision at that point, too.”

Around the horn

Avila said the Tigers likely will be searching free agency for a backup catcher, preferably one that hits left-

handed. Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Alex Avila were two names Avila mentioned.

… Avila said there were no players who needed offseason surgery, including Victor Martinez.

… Tigers senior director of baseball operations Jay Sartori is presently building a software database system to

facilitate and support the organizations’ analytics work. The system, which could be operational as early as

January, will be called Caesar.

… Avila said he expects to hire a hitting coach as early as Friday. “We’re close,” he said. Wally Joyner left the

club to seek other opportunities.

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Avila: Tigers ‘need to get younger, leaner’

October 19, 2016

By Chris McCosky/ The Detroit News

Detroit — Changes are coming.

That was the theme of Tigers general manager Al Avila’s post-season address Tuesday.

“Where the changes are coming and when, I can’t tell you at this point,” he said. “But we need to get younger.

We need to get leaner. We need to run our organization without going over our means and run it more

responsibly.”

Avila said it was highly unlikely the team would be active in the free agent market. Most of what they hope to

get done will be through trades.

“I don’t want to call it a rebuild, because we haven’t broken anything down yet,” he said. “I don’t know if there

is a term for what I want to do.”

He stressed that he still expected the club to be competitive in 2017, but it’s clear Avila has drawn a line in the

sand in terms of the payroll and the age of the club.

“We will be making decisions for the long-term success of the organization,” he said. “We just have to keep an

open mind and see what changes you can make that won’t hurt you and moving forward you can start getting

better year to year.”

Other items of note from Avila’s session Tuesday:

* No decision has been made regarding the options on closer Francisco Rodriguez ($6 million) and center

fielder Cameron Maybin ($9 million).

* One possible area where the Tigers might explore free agency is for a backup catcher. Jarrod Saltalamacchia

is a free agent and is under consideration.

* Avila said they are close to hiring a hitting coach to replace Wally Joyner.

* Mark Lowe and Mike Pelfrey will come to spring training with a chance to win roles on the club. Nothing is

guaranteed.

* Center fielder Anthony Gose will also be given a chance to reclaim his roster spot.

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Henning: Avila ready to deal in mission to remake Tigers

October 19, 2016

By Lynn Henning/ The Detroit News

Detroit – In so many words, Al Avila confirmed Tuesday what already was known. The Tigers’ trade lines are

open. Operators are standing by, with a certain general manager working as chief receptionist.

“Changes are comin’,” Avila said at a mid-day press briefing at Comerica Park.

The goals, as have been made clear for the better part of 2016, are to make the Tigers in Avila’s words “leaner

and younger,” with a goal of making the team competitive over the long haul rather than investing in go-for-

broke playoff pushes on a par with 2016’s mission.

“We have to be open to anything,” Avila said. “This organization has been working way above its means. It’s

put us, frankly, in a situation where we can’t maneuver.”

Avila was careful Tuesday. This, he said, “will not be an overnight process.” He will stick to a master plan the

Tigers’ front office has had in place for at least the past year. The team has had a two-year timeframe for

making deals and reconstructing a roster that spans 2016 and 2017.

The Tigers would have begun a selloff in July had they not had a playoff shot. They have known privately that

deals designed to get more youth and athleticism – with young, hard-throwing pitchers their first wish – would

be made during any of four segments: July of this past year, the 2016 offseason, next July’s trade deadline, and

the 2017 offseason.

Two years. A substantial roster reconstruction. With faster players and defenders, high-powered kid arms, and a

more reasonable, more flexible, payroll the simultaneous goals.

“We’ll consider things that make sense,” Avila said. “We’ll listen to 29 clubs and how we can start making this

club, leaner, younger, and more efficient.

“But it’s not a process where it’s gonna be done in one winter.”

Avila can’t name names for a variety of obvious reasons. This is a poker table, the Hot Stove trade mart, and

showing cards is the first way to weaken your hand.

But he’ll listen. To anyone, about anybody, with a couple of prime trade pieces looming.

Justin Verlander figures to draw a heavy, potentially irresistible, offer in an autumn and winter when free-agent

pitching is light. Verlander can say no to any deal. But it’s a high-percentage wager that any club with

resources to take on his contract and hand the Tigers an enticing package would be a high-profile playoff team

Verlander might easily, if not enthusiastically, accept.

J.D. Martinez is signed through next year. Avila made clear Tuesday the Tigers will be reticent to talk about a

long, expensive extension, which means Martinez is a decent bet to be dealt either this offseason or next July.

Other possibilities exist. But, in a bit of irony that says everything about where the Tigers are in October of

2016, it’s more likely big, established names (Verlander, J.D. Martinez, Ian Kinsler, and even Miguel Cabrera,

should a cash-flush franchise bite), would carry “For Sale” signs than young affordable talent, beginning with

pitchers Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd, and extending to tender everyday players Nick

Castellanos and James McCann.

The Tigers went for everything in 2016 because they realistically had no other options. Some of their best

people were either hurt last October (Cabrera, Victor Martinez), or coming off big half-seasons (Verlander).

The Tigers had spent their paltry stash of blue-chip kids in previous deals and were left with one choice in the

mind of owner Mike Ilitch: Go for it.

Ilitch has all but signed on to Avila’s take that a younger, less expensive team will offer the Tigers a better

roster that can compete in years ahead and later have the flexibility to add a difference-making piece.

Most of all, he knows speed, defense, and young power arms – commodities in too short of supply the past two

years – are the ticket to better times at Comerica Park.

Everyone in the Tigers’ hierarchy seems aligned. Everyone seems to have agreed on the obvious.

All that remains are the swaps, some bound to be big. Be prepared for some drama ahead. Dramatic deals,

alongside a refusal to part with draft picks and kid prospects, are the best ways to forge a new and better

baseball product in Detroit.

14

New era for Tigers? 7 takeaways from Al Avila's press conference

October 19, 2016

By Evan Woodbery/ MLive.com

DETROIT -- In what was supposed to be a routine meeting with local media, Detroit Tigers general manager Al

Avila laid out a stark change in philosophy for the club.

Frugality and flexibility are in; free-spending and splashy signings are out.

The Tigers need to get younger, leaner and more efficient, and the current path won't get them there, Avila said.

What this means for 2017 could depend on how successfully the Tigers can navigate the trade market -- and

how much they're willing to make short-term sacrifices to reach their goal of getting younger and less costly.

Here are seven takeaways from Avila's meeting with the press:

1. Ownership isn't ordering a specific cut in payroll.

Avila said he hasn't been given a target payroll number to hit, nor did he receive a specific directive from team

owner Mike Ilitch to cut the current payroll.

Avila said he discussed the proposed philosophical changes with Ilitch.

"In talking to him, I don't think he disagreed that we needed to improve the team, and the best way was to look

at other possibilities," Avila said. "But in terms of a hard number (for the payroll), no we did not get into that.

It's an obvious thing that if I'm telling you I don't expect it to go up, then usually it'll be the opposite."

2. There are "untouchable" players, but maybe not who you think.

Asked if there were any players on the roster who simply wouldn't be traded, Avila first mentioned young

players before referencing the "team icons."

That, of course, means Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera.

There are hurdles to trading the duo that go beyond their iconic status in Detroit. Both players can veto any

trades. Even if they agreed to a deal, there are only so many team that could -- or would -- agree to take on their

huge future salary burdens.

Avila acknowledged that many of his players, for various reasons, simply aren't tradeable.

"The way we're approaching this offseason, it's not really going to be an exact science in the sense that we have

to be open-minded to anything," he said. "That doesn't mean that we're dangling Player A out there and seeing

what happens, but it does mean that in our conversations with other clubs, we will be open-minded, and if

somebody has interest in a certain player, we'll take a look at it."

3. The chances of J.D. Martinez being on the team in 2017 just dropped dramatically.

Avila didn't say that, exactly, but we know this: The Tigers are looking to deal, and they have only a handful of

players that could fetch a big return on the market. Martinez, who will be a free agent after the 2017 season, is

one of them.

Avila said the Tigers don't have any immediate plans to sign Martinez to a long-term contract. It's hard to see

how the mega-deal that Martinez will command in 2018 fits with the Tigers' new more youthful and frugal

philosophy.

Martinez is the team's best trade chip. It's hard to believe they won't try to use it.

4. Al Avila may be positioning himself as the anti-Dombrowski.

Avila spoke of the importance of building through the farm system, drafting, developing and retaining young

players. Ideally, he said a team might make "wise trades" as needed, but that splurging on a free agent should

only be done "once in a blue moon."

That doesn't sound much like Avila's predecessor, Dave Dombrowski, who was known for wheeling and

dealing during his largely successful tenure with the Tigers that ended last August.

5. The Tigers will wait until the last minute to decide on options for Cameron Maybin and Francisco Rodriguez.

The Tigers have until three days after the end of the World Series to determine whether they will exercise 2017

contract options for Maybin and Rodriguez.

"We'll probably wait all the way to the final day," Avila said.

Why? Perhaps that will give the Tigers time to gauge trade interest. Even if the Tigers don't to spend $9 million

to keep Maybin, the Tigers could exercise his option and then deal him to a team that does.

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6. The only free-agent signing this season might be for a backup catcher.

Avila said the Tigers will aggressively pursue six-year minor league free agents to replenish the upper level of

their farm system, they don't expect to be very active in major league free agency.

The one exception? Backup catcher. Incumbent Jarrod Saltalamacchia is an option. So is Avila's son, Alex, who

played for the Tigers from 2009-2015.

John Hicks will get a chance to compete for the job in spring training, but he has options remaining, so he will

likely be the "third catcher" waiting in Toledo in case of injury.

7. Whatever the Tigers are doing, don't call it "rebuilding."

Al Avila said the Tigers aren't "rebuilding," and he doesn't like the phrase "re-tooling" either.

"I don't know if there's a term for what I want to do here. I really don't," Avila said. "If you guys can come up

with a slogan, let me know and we'll go with it.

"We want to get younger, we want to get leaner, we want to run the organization without having to go over

(our) means."

16

Al Avila says Tigers' free-spending days are over: 'Changes are coming' October 19, 2016

By Evan Woodbery/ MLive.com

DETROIT -- Last year at this time, the Detroit Tigers were preparing to splurge on free agents, targeting some

of the biggest names on the market.

On Tuesday, 16 days after the Tigers were eliminated from the 2016 postseason, general manager Al Avila

signaled that the era of excess was over.

"This organization has been working way above its means for a long time," he said in a post-season meeting

with local media at Comerica Park.

The Tigers are beginning a multi-year process of getting younger, leaner and more efficient, Avila said, because

the current path isn't sustainable.

"Changes are coming," he said.

Avila wouldn't call those changes "rebuilding" or "re-tooling," and said he still hoped the Tigers would compete

for the playoffs in 2017. But the change in tone was dramatic for a club that over the last decade has always

maintained a high payroll while aggressively pursuing expensive free agents.

By publicly sharing the Tigers' new outlook, Avila may have been trying to keep fan expectations in check.

"I would hope that we could compete in 2017 at least as good as we did this past season," he said. "I would

hope. I can't guarantee that."

What the new plans means for 2017 is still unclear, because the Tigers have very little flexibility and many of

their most burdensome contracts will be tough to unload. Avila said the makeup of the 2017 roster could depend

on the trade market. The Tigers will keep an open mind, he said, looking for ways to get younger and leaner

while "walking on a tight rope" to remain competitive for 2017.

The window of opportunity built around stars Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera is still open and Avila said

he hopes that by focusing more on the future it can remain that way for years to come.

"If there's one thing I learned last year, is that the best way to build a good foundation and organization for the

long term is not through free agency," Avila said. "It's through drafting good players, developing those players,

and bringing them up through the system, then — as needed — making some wise trades.

"That is the ideal process, but it's not going to happen overnight. It's going to take some time."

17

Tigers going in 'younger, leaner' direction

October 19, 2016

By Jason Beck/ MLB.com

DETROIT -- Changes are coming to the Tigers.

Taken in itself, that statement Tuesday from general manager Al Avila isn't new. It's the way the Tigers are

approaching change that is dramatically different.

In that sense, Avila's end-of-season press gathering Tuesday was more like the beginning of a new era.

"We want to get younger," Avila said. "We want to get leaner. We want to run the organization without having

to go over the means of the organization."

It's not going to be a sudden, dramatic tear-down, Avila said, and it's not going to be done in one offseason. But

it starts this offseason, making a winter that was already expected to feature a bevy of big trades across baseball

potentially one where those big names include several Tigers.

Avila didn't name names, but he said they have to be open-minded to anything that makes the club better over

the long term.

"We certainly want to stay competitive," Avila cautioned. "We certainly want to be able to try to get back in the

playoffs. But at the same time, this organization has been working way above its means as far as payroll for

many, many years, and it's put us in a situation where quite frankly, it's difficult to maneuver."

The Tigers spent just over $200 million this past season, paying a luxury tax penalty for the first time since

2008. With the exception of 2011, they've ranked among the six highest-spending teams in baseball every year

since 2008. A win-now mentality led to lucrative long-term contracts for Miguel Cabrera, Justin Verlander and

Anibal Sanchez along with free-agent signings of Justin Upton, Jordan Zimmermann, Prince Fielder and Victor

Martinez. All of those contracts came with the support or direct involvement of owner Mike Ilitch, whose quest

to add a World Series title to his collection of Stanley Cup championships has directed the Tigers for more than

a decade.

The Tigers took their bid for a postseason berth to the final day of the season before falling short of an

American League Wild Card spot. After outslugging and outspending division rivals on the way to four

consecutive AL Central titles, they've missed the postseason the past two years while watching the Royals and

Indians make deep playoff runs with more economical rosters.

Detroit enters the offseason with 10 players under guaranteed contracts for next season worth more than $167

million. Add in club options on center fielder Cameron Maybin and closer Francisco Rodriguez, plus a half-

dozen players eligible for arbitration, and the Tigers would again be in luxury tax territory -- unless the

threshold changes in the upcoming collective bargaining agreement -- if they keep the team intact.

"It's no secret, obviously, of the tax consequences that we're going to have to pay," Avila said. "And if we

continue that trend, it only gets worse and higher. So it would be foolish. And my opinion, my recommendation,

is that we don't continue on that trend, because it would definitely be detrimental to this organization as we

move forward. …

"We want to win. We want to be competitive. We want to try to get back into the playoffs. But at the same time,

we have to see how that's done."

The Tigers haven't decided whether to exercise options on Maybin or Rodriguez, Avila said, and likely won't

until the deadline of three days after the World Series passes. For that matter, Avila said, they haven't set a

payroll target, either, but he doesn't expect it to go up.

"If I'm telling you I don't expect it go up, then usually it'll be the opposite," Avila said. "I can't give you a

definitive answer until we see where it goes."

Avila doesn't know who will be traded, only that they have to be willing to listen. Sanchez, J.D. Martinez, Ian

Kinsler, Mike Pelfrey and Mark Lowe are entering the final year of their contracts. Upton has an opt-out clause

in his contract that allows him to become a free agent next winter, too, if he so chooses. Martinez and Kinsler

could attract interest coming off productive seasons.

"We have to be open-minded to anything," Avila said. "That doesn't mean that we're dangling Player A out

there and seeing what happens, but it does mean that in our conversations with other clubs, we will be open-

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minded, and if somebody has interest in a certain player, we'll take a look at it. If it makes sense for the Detroit

Tigers present and future, then we certainly will consider things that we feel will make us better."

The bigger speculation, however, could revolve around Verlander, the longest-tenured current Tiger. The 33-

year-old right-hander is due to make $28 million in each of the next three seasons with a $22 million option for

2020. After a 2016 campaign that has him in the conversation for the AL Cy Young, he could attract interest

from teams willing and able to take on that deal.

Verlander would have to approve any trade. So, for that matter, would Ilitch. But at this point, Avila said,

nobody can be considered untouchable.

It's not a rebuild, Avila cautioned, and he didn't want to use the term "retooling," either. In the end, he left it up

to reporters to define it. Whatever the term, it's a new approach for a team that has pushed payroll parameters

for years.

"We're going to go out and talk to 29 other clubs," Avila said, "and see how we can start, little by little, making

this team leaner, younger, more efficient, and at the same time, staying competitive, trying to get to the playoffs.

That's where the tightrope is that we're walking on. Not the easiest thing in the world to do, obviously … but it

has to be done."

19

Tigers’ free-spending days are at an end; Avila: ‘Changes are coming’

October 19, 2016

By Matt Mowery/ Oakland Press

DETROIT >> Last year, the Detroit Tigers rolled the dice one more time with new general manager Al Avila,

spending a boatload of money on the free agent market, in hopes of one more chance at contending.

It came up short.

And now it appears the Tigers will go in another direction — a more fiscally responsible, leaner direction.

“It was in our hands there at the end. That said, we’re obviously not happy — we’re disappointed we fell short

of our goal of getting to the postseason. That was the goal, and we didn’t do it,” Avila said at his season-ending

press conference. “In saying that, we’re heading here to the wintertime, heading into a new hot stove season.

“Changes are coming.”

That’s certainly not out of left field, since it’s been an aging — and increasingly financially landlocked —

roster for several seasons. Even though several of the big contracts begin to come off the books after the 2017

season, it’s going to take years for the Tigers to wean themselves completely off the big free-agent deals that

they’ve handed out with regularity over the last dozen years.

It’s going to be a process that takes several years, at a minimum, and it won’t truly start until the Tigers can

begin to gauge the trade market in the offseason, to see where they might be able to offload some veteran salary,

and get younger MLB-ready players (or at least high minors depth) in return.

“We definitely would like to get younger as we move forward,” Avila said. “That’s definitely going to be the

main emphasis.”

REBUILD OR TEARDOWN?

Last year was termed a ‘reboot’ of the system. This year, it appears that the reset will be more drastic.

But Avila didn’t want to term the process a rebuild.

“I can’t call it a rebuild because we haven’t really broken anything down. I’m not comfortable with the word

rebuild. It’s more of a.... people use rebuild, and I don’t think it’s the right term. I’ve read ‘re-tool’ and I don’t

know if that’s a right term. I don’t know if there’s a term for what I want to do here. I really don’t. If you guys

can come up with a slogan, let me know and we’ll go with it. In describing the process, you could probably

name it however you want to name it,” Avila said.

“We want to get younger, we want to get leaner, we want to run the organization without having to go over the

means of the organization.”

That means a little more economic frugality.

WALKING THE COMPETITIVE TIGHTROPE

The place where Avila didn’t want to go was saying that this would be a situation like the Cubs or Phillies or

Braves, where a team was dismantled down to the foundations.

“I would hope that we could compete in 2017 at least as good as we did this past season. I would hope. I can’t

guarantee that, until I start to get into more in-depth talks with other clubs,” Avila said.

“That’s a tightrope that we have to walk. We certainly want to stay competitive. We certainly want to be able to

try to get back in the playoffs, But at the same time, this organization has been working way above its means as

far as payroll for many, many years, and it’s put us in a situation where quite frankly, it’s difficult to maneuver.

It’s no secret obviously of the tax consequences that we’re going to have to pay, and if we continue that trend, it

only gets worse and higher. So it would be foolish. And my opinion, my recommendation is that we don’t

continue on that trend, because it would definitely be detrimental to this organization as we move forward.”

PAYROLL NOT GOING UP, BUT COMING DOWN

The Tigers pushed $200 million with their payroll in 2016, and it got them within 2.5 games of the playoffs, but

no better. Avila talked to owner Mike Ilitch about paring that number back — not necessarily to a set number,

but at least beginning to spin it down.

“We have not spoken about a hard number, no. I believe, in my opinion, in my recommendation on how we

should move forward. No different than I’m talking to you right now, in that we need to make some changes to

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make this organization, make this team better,” Avila said. “I don’t think he disagreed that we needed to

improve the team, and the best way was to look at other possibilities.

“But in terms of a hard number, no we did not get into that. It’s an obvious thing that if I’m telling you I don’t

expect it to go up, then usually it’ll be the opposite. Again, I can’t give you a definitive answer until we see

where it goes.

“We definitely want to be leaner. That’s my recommendation.”

TRADES NOT FREE AGENCY

This year’s free agent market — widely considered the worst in recent memory — should make for a strong

trade market for teams looking to get better. In that sense, this would be the worst time for the Tigers to try to

get better in the same old way they have been, through free-agency. It also may have convinced the Tigers that

this is the time to take their step back, financially, given that they could get more for their trade pieces now.

“For sure, I don’t believe those adjustments are going to come through free agency — I don’t think it’s possible.

I don’t think it’s out there to make the adjustments necessary to continue for this team to win in 2017 and the

future. I don’t think those are there. Free agency this year is not going to accomplish all those goals,” Avila

said.

“It just so happens that the only way to do it is via trade. And again it’s a process of, it’s going to take a long

time. It’s not going to take just the next few months.”

LONG PROCESS

This won’t be a transformation that happens with the Tigers before the end of December. It may not even be

completely done this offseason — or before the end of the 2017 season.

It’ll be long and laborious.

And — with the exception of several small, peripheral moves — it’ll be entirely dependent on the timing of

possible trade partners.

“Unlike last year (when) I came to you and said, ‘We need two starting pitchers, we need to beef up our

bullpen, blah, blah, blah …’ The plan of action that these are our needs, and we’re going to go after them. This

year’s different,” Avila said.

“This year it’s we’re going to go out and talk to 29 other clubs and see how we can start, little by little, making

this team leaner, younger, more efficient, and at the same time, staying competitive, trying to get to the playoffs,

so that’s where the tightrope is that we’re walking on. Not the easiest thing in the world to do, obviously. …

“But it has to be done. And it’s not a process where it’s going to be done in one winter. And I think I’ve said

that before. What we want to do ultimately may not be done between now and the Winter Meetings. It may not

be done between now and the end of Spring Training. It may not be done between now and the next trading

deadline. So it will be an ongoing process as we try to get better, but at the same time we try to make some

changes that just make sense overall for this organization.”

21

Tigers near decision on hitting coach, no decision on Maybin, K-Rod options

October 19, 2016

By Matt Mowery/ Oakland Press

DETROIT >> While the big newsflash from Comerica Park on Tuesday was the impending change in direction

of the Detroit Tigers franchise, swinging toward renewed financial responsibility, it wasn’t the only thing

discussed.

There were some other key topics broached at GM Al Avila’s end-of-season news conference, ones that could

more or less be termed ‘housecleaning’ in comparison.

Avila went over the potential fate of the Tigers’ two players whose contracts contain team options for 2017, as

well as an update on the hiring of a new hitting coach to replace Wally Joyner.

Here’s a look at some of the other minor news from the day:

NO DECISION YET ON OPTIONS

The Tigers hold contract options on both closer Francisco Rodriguez ($6 million, $2 million buyout) and

Cameron Maybin ($9 million option, $1 million buyout) for 2017, but have not yet picked either of them up.

Nor do they know if they will.

“We have not made decisions yet on the two club option guys, Maybin and K-Rod. We have obviously until

just after the World Series. We will be making a decision obviously before then, and we’ll probably wait all the

way to the final day,” Avila said. “But no, we have not made a decision yet.”

They could potentially save $12 million by declining both, but then would have to replace both players, either

with a (likely costly) external alternative, or a cheaper, but less effective/experienced internal candidate.

GETTING CLOSER ON HITTING COACH

Manager Brad Ausmus has talked to a few potential replacements for Joyner as the team’s hitting coach —

some of the candidates are internal; “That’s where you really like to start, if possible,” Avila said — and the

team is getting close to a decision.

“Brad has talked to a few guys. And I would say we’re very close. We haven’t decided … but we’re close.

We’re close in deciding. … I’m hoping maybe by the end of the week. … I’m not going to say that we are

going to (have one) by the end of the week. I’m just hopeful that we are,” Avila said, acknowledging the timing

of the announcement will have to work around the playoff schedule.

“He’s already contacted and talked to a few guys. Actually, we talked this morning before this meeting. We

talked yesterday. I feel that we’re coming close. Hopefully by the end of the week we’ll be able to announce

this.”

NO HEALTH CONCERNS

While the conclusions of most of the recent seasons for the Tigers have come with the announcements of one or

more cleanup surgeries, this year there’s nothing major in the chute.

“No. … These guys, after 162 games, what they need is basically rest,” Avila said. “And then start the process

again of rehab/strength and conditioning offseason program and get back at it. As far as any surgeries or

anything like that, there aren’t any scheduled.”

NO LONG-TERM DEAL FOR J.D. IN THE WORKS

While the Tigers had said in the past that they’d like to lock up J.D. Martinez to a long-term deal, if possible,

they settled on a two-year deal to avoid arbitration last offseason, and don’t look like they’re going to do

anything to keep him from testing free agency after this season.

“I don’t foresee any talks of a long-term contract at this point,” Avila said. “In saying that, we’re going to keep

any open mind in what possibilities come across this winter, this coming summer. I’m not going to rule out that

(we) wouldn’t consider a long-term deal, but sitting here today we’re not thinking that way right now. Can’t say

we wouldn’t be thinking about that down the road.”

BACKUP CATCHER LIKELY ONLY FREE-AGENT EXPENDITURE

With Jarrod Saltalamacchia entering free agency, the Tigers are without a catcher, and they don’t have a lot of

depth in the system to replace him internally.

That could force them to make a foray into the free-agent market to either re-sign him, or find a replacement.

22

“There are a couple of areas we’re going to have to do, obviously. Obviously we need a catcher.

Saltalamacchia’s going to be a free agent. We have to make a decision on who that other catcher is that we’re

going to try to acquire to go along with (starter James) McCann. Saltalamacchia obviously is under

consideration, amongst a list of catchers we have identified,” Avila said. “And obviously that could be one free-

agent acquisition, at this point.”

Could there be a reunion with former Tigers starter Alex Avila, who played out his one-year deal with the

Chicago White Sox?

“Alex would be in consideration,” his father said.

So, too, could be John Hicks, who the Tigers claimed off waivers in April.

23

Pat Caputo - Al Avila, the Tigers and an off season plan not exactly reassuring

October 19, 2016

By Pat Caputo/ Oakland Press

General manager Al Avila tried to explain Tuesday exactly what the Tigers are attempting to accomplish this

off-season.

No, they are not rebuilding or re-tooling, Avila said.

No, the Tigers aren’t going to load their roster at all costs, either.

Avila is ‘’hopeful’’ the Tigers will contend, and thinks they just might.

As for his plan this off season, Avila isn’t quite sure.

He only knows he’d like the Tigers to become, “leaner and younger.’’

In other words, as presently constructed, the Tigers are the ‘’could be, might be, maybe’’ franchise.

I’m sure this has the folks in Cleveland and Kansas City shaking in their boots.

‘’The Tigers are coming, the Tigers are coming, the Tigers are coming...’’

Well, sort of and perhaps.

Avila is in a tough position. The Tigers have overspent in their quest to try to win their first World Series title

since 1984. It wasn’t a bad idea from 2011 until 2014 when they had a roster loaded with stars in their prime,

but they didn’t win it.

Now, after continuing to add, the Tigers are not nearly the same force. They just missed making the playoffs in

2016, but their roster is incredibly unbalanced. The conventional numbers look good, but other than starting

pitching, the Tigers have become a metric nightmare. They have right-handed power - and that’s it.

The free agent market isn’t good this off season, so Avila is going to need to make trades to improve his team.

It’s easier said than done given the excess baggage the Tigers currently have on their roster. Where do you

begin with Tigers’ players underperforming in comparison to exorbitant contracts? Mike Pelfrey, Mark Lowe,

Anibal Sanchez, Justin Upton, Victor Martinez, Jordan Zimmermann.

The Tigers must make a decision on whether to pick up options for closer Francisco Rodriguez and center

fielder Cameron Maybin. Neither is ideal in their role, but what are the alternatives?

It’s not promising, and why Avila is making no promises nor setting any time tables.

“We have to make adjustments to this team, whether it is for 2017 or the future,’’ Avila said.

The Tigers have fallen dangerously behind in analytics. They made a big deal about how they have put extra

emphasis on it last winter, but revealed Tuesday the software for their program (code name, believe it or not,

“Caesar’’) won’t be ready until January. Isn’t that a little late?

The Tigers aren’t going to trade Justin Verlander or Miguel Cabrera. It would not be wise to deal Ian Kinsler. It

would be cutting off their nose to spite their face. Kinsler is the Tigers’ best all around player.

J.D. Martinez, who regressed defensively, is the most likely player the Tigers will attempt to deal. Their ideal

acquisition would be Tampa Bay center fielder Kevin Kiermaier, a superior defender. He will be arbitration

eligible after next season and the forever cost conscious Rays might bite - if the Tigers had a premium advanced

prospect to dangle before them. Problem is, the Tigers really don’t.

It would be the same thing attempting to acquire a top left-handed hitter not past his prime.

Avila understands his predicament. That is the first part of solving a problem: Admitting there is one.

That doesn’t mean it will be any easier. If you’re a Tigers’ fan you might want to wish Al Avila luck.

Because he is sure going to need it.

24

Al Avila: Changes Are Coming, Tigers Likely To Cut Costs

October 19, 2016

By Will Burchfield/ CBSDetroit.com

Al Avila made one thing clear in his end-of-the-year press conference on Tuesday: The Tigers cannot continue

to operate as they have in the recent past.

“Changes are coming,” he said.

In short, the Tigers’ general manager feels the team needs to follow a more efficient front-office approach.

“We want to get younger. We want to get leaner. We want to run the organization without having to go over our

means,” Avila said.

The Tigers had the fourth-highest payroll in the MLB last season, surpassing $200 million for the first time in

franchise history. But the investment didn’t yield success, as the team failed to make the playoffs for the second

consecutive year.

Detroit was eliminated from postseason contention on the final day of the 2016 season. And according to Avila,

the Tigers will not be doubling down on their free-spending philosophy.

“(The payroll) is not going to go up, I don’t think,” he said, before adding, “Usually it will be the opposite.”

In order for the Tigers to shed salary, there are number of high-paid veterans who could be traded. Every player

figures to be on the table, most notably Justin Verlander and Ian Kinsler, both of whom are coming off strong

seasons.

“Changes that we want to make are going to be dictated by what’s available on the trade market,” Avila said.

When it comes to free agency, the GM confirmed Detroit will not be making any major moves this offseason.

That stands in stark contrast to years past, when the Tigers have outspent the market to sign the likes of Justin

Upton and Jordan Zimmermann, and handed out big-money extensions to Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander.

Such extravagant spending has led to little playoff success, which, coupled with the Tigers’ declining

attendance, brings the team’s business approach into question. Avila feels the Tigers need to find a way to

remain competitive without operating like one of the richest organizations in the league.

“It’s going to be a process, and at some points it may be painful,” he said. “It’s not going to be easy, but it has

to be done.”

Still, Avila clarified the Tigers aren’t tearing things down and starting over.

“We can’t call it a rebuild, because we haven’t broken anything down,” Avila said. “I don’t know if there’s term

for what I want to do here.”

Perhaps “re-alignment” would be a better description. Either way, the Tigers seem intent on living by more

austere measures moving forward.

Asked what he would say in regard to the Tigers making the playoffs in 2017, Avila responded, “That’s our

hope.”

25

Tigers plan for leaner payroll, younger roster in 2017

October 19, 2016

By Brad Galli/ WXYZ.com

(WXYZ) - The Tigers have a lot of money coming off the books in 2017.

"That's a good thing," Al Avila said.

In a meeting with reporters to wrap up the 2016 season, the Tigers executive vice president of baseball

operations and general manager looked ahead to a leaner and younger future.

"We can't call it a rebuild, because we haven't broken anything down. I don't know if there's term for what I

want to do here," he said.

"I wouldn't say the window is shut. I like to look at it as a big window of opportunity...as long as it takes us."

Team owner Mike Ilitch and Avila have not spoken about a specific payroll number, but Avila said the two met

and the general manager recommended free agency will not be the best way to help team.

Payroll will not increase, so drawing the conclusion that it will go down is something Avila suggested Tigers

fans should do.

When asked if fans had the question, 'Will this team make the playoffs in 2017?' Avila responded: "That's our

hope."

The one area the Tigers GM was confident in repeating: there will be change, and it will likely come through

trade.

"Changes that we want to make are gonna be dictated by what's available on the trade market."

Avila said his goal is to have the Tigers compete "at least" at the level of 2016, but won't know until offseason

shakes out.

Ian Kinsler and J.D. Martinez are possible candidates for trade. Both would likely get the Tigers a decent return.

Avila said he's seeking young arms, like every GM in baseball.

Other notes:

-Victor Martinez does not have any surgeries planned at this point

-Avila: "We're gonna need a catcher. (Jarrod) Saltalamacchia is going to be a free agent." The Tigers could re-

sign him. Alex Avila will be considered as a back-up to James McCann

-JaCoby Jones will be given a shot to earn a job, but Avila believes he needs more seasoning in Toledo

-The Tigers will make decisions on Cameron Maybin and Francisco Rodriguez in the coming weeks.

26

LAST UPDATED: WED, OCTOBER 19, 2016, 01:36 EDT

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Atlanta Braves Blake Lalli Signed to a Minor League Contract

Minnesota Twins Tommy Milone Refused Minor League Assignment - Free Agent

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2016

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Minnesota Twins Andrew Albers Outrighted to Minors

Minnesota Twins Logan Schafer Outrighted to Minors

Minnesota Twins Tommy Milone Outrighted to Minors

Minnesota Twins Pat Dean Outrighted to Minors

Minnesota Twins James Beresford Outrighted to Minors

Washington Nationals Bronson Arroyo Released

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2016

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Atlanta Braves Brandon Snyder Refused Minor League Assignment - Free Agent

Atlanta Braves Blake Lalli Refused Minor League Assignment - Free Agent

27

Philadelphia Phillies Emmanuel Burriss Refused Minor League Assignment - Free Agent

Seattle Mariners Steve Johnson Refused Minor League Assignment - Free Agent