Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski addressed a number of points with the media yesterday, and Jason Beck of MLB.com provides a transcript of his comments. Here are the key takeaways:
- Dombrowski listed the team’s top three priorities. First among them is deciding on an approach in center, which he said could either mean finding a platoon partner for the right-handed hitting Rajai Davis or going with a new, full-time option. Second: improving the bullpen, with some new arms potentially coming from within. And finally, the team wants to add another left-handed bat in some capacity. The GM rejected the notion that the club’s contention window is closing, saying he has confidence in its veteran core.
- Explaining that he is more concerned about Alex Avila’s concussion issues on a human level than in terms of planning, Dombrowski said that he is confident in the team’s situation behind the plate. He expects Avila to be able to man the position next year, but also likes prospect James McCann as a long-term piece.
- Dombrowski said that he does not know whether Torii Hunter will retire. If he elects to play, the club values his clubhouse presence immensely but has yet to make any decisions as to whether it would pursue him in free agency. Dombrowski also discussed prospect Steven Moya, who could be a long-term replacement for Hunter. “I don’t know if he’s going to be ready or not,” Dombrowski said of Moya. “You can hope and he may be ready, but I’m not really sure. His performance in the Arizona Fall League, then going to winter ball will be important for him.”
- Soon-to-be free agent starter Max Scherzer appears set to test the market, and Dombrowski did nothing to curb the idea that he could be headed for a new team. “Well, we had thorough conversations before the season, and I don’t know that it’s all dictated by us at this point,” said Dombrowski. “I think we made ourselves pretty well known at the time where we stood. … I think we probably made more of an effort to sign Max earlier in the year. So I don’t think your odds improve [from] what they were earlier. Why would they improve if we have one-on-one ability to speak with you, compared to having 29 other clubs speak with you? Only time will tell.”
- In terms of a possible replacement in the rotation, Dombrowski said the team has internal options and may not feel the need to add an arm via free agency. “I think we have some young pitchers we feel pretty comfortable with at this point,” said Dombrowski, “… but I feel comfortable staying internal with the four guys we would have at that point. But again, we haven’t made that decision.”
- The prognosis on shortstop Jose Iglesias is positive, says Dombrowski. Though he will allow manager Brad Ausmus a chance to evaluate him in the spring, the GM says that he expects Iglesias to take the everyday job “if he returns to the form of the past.” On the other hand, Dombrowski said the team needs to be prepared if Iglesias is not at full strength.
- Detroit’s closer situation will probably not undergo changes over the offseason, said Dombrowski. Joe Nathan will likely have the ninth inning job going into the year, but will need to “perform up to the capabilities required” to keep it. Elsewhere in the relief corps, young power reliever Bruce Rondon, who underwent Tommy John surgery, is expected to be ready for the year, says Dombrowski.
Way to go DD, not one shred of anything positive to look forward to.
Win games. Not press conferences.
DD is definitely going after David Robertson….or Miller…..
Don’t agree. Better to get a reject starting pitcher with a good arm that has failed for cheap and convert into a reliever.
Wow nothing on V-Mart, and seems like they are letting Scherzer walk to FA. Those 2 pieces have been crucial in 2014. Detroit is going to have a serious battle to not let KC overtake them in 2015!
Marquee did not work. They will still outspend KC by $50MM+. Better to build the MIDDLE of the roster, not top.
DD didnt give much away there but the one thing he did say we can all agree on…absolutely too top heavy.
1st: Bullpen
2nd: Bullpen
3rd: Bullpen
Ha I just posted that too. Their BP is just Sick … in a very bad way!
Their bullpen is on deaths door.
Alburquerque aside, pretty much.
The returning Rondon should help next year but that aside, it needs some major work.
But their BP is atrocious!
Would Love Seattle to pony up and land both V-Mart & Scherzer!
Eleventy Billion Dollars, plus 2 draft picks.
A platoon partner for the right-handed (CF) hitting Rajai Davis, and they also need a LH hitter? Sounds like Andre Ethier to me…
Ethier would likely fit, but i dont see DD paying $18m for a platoon and taking on the rest of Ethiers contract, unless we dont re-sign V-Mart.
The Dodgers would certainly have to eat at least half of what they owe him. what I don’t see is something that you guys have that the Dodgers need.
Quite likely true, unless they want some salary relief, hardly something they need, but with Friedman now in place, maybe they will be a little more frugal.
If they ate half it could appeal but frankly i dont see it.
I think that’s the only way the Dodgers will ever move Ethier, is if they eat about half.
It would work if it were Ethier and Puig for Verlander and prospect. Bad contract swap. Verlander is more valuable than Ethier though.
Ethier is a bad contract. Puig has the chance at being an MVP, and put up 5 fWAR in 2014. It’s an unreasonable suggestion, although I could see a Price+salary relief for Kemp.
I think Jon Jay would be a good fit. That would leave the Cardinals an OF of Holliday, Bourjos, Taveras, Grichuk with Pham and Piscotty as depth. I’m just not sure what the Tigers would have to get a deal done.
I think Jay or Bourjos would be a good fit. We have a lot of lower level starting pitching depth in the minors (our last few drafts have been very college starting pitching heavy). I’m not sure what the Cards would want though. However, I’m confident that if Dombrowski really wants one of those guys, he will find a way to make it happen.
You nailed it. Very good fit. Good LH bat. Can play right or left. Salary is reasonable. But can they match up for a deal? Seems tough to do.
Tigers need CF, not left or right. Jay is not an ideal Centerfielder. That is the problem. Bourjos would be OK, but he cannot hit right now.
Tigers might as well go after Jackie Bradley Jr., if they are going to do that.
Assume that DD is smart, then figure out what he is doing… That usually works.
My guess:
1. He is not trying to win a meaningless meeting with the press in October. It is not to his advantage to share anything right now.
2. DD will try to trade Price. If there is is no massive offer in the days after the World Series, he will try to sign Price FIRST…while remaining silent with Scherzer. Price is more valuable: Younger, can go deeper in games, lefty. He will get Scherzer’s offer from last year, plus 5%.
3. DD will try to sign VMART with Torii Hunter as his back up DH plan.
4. Wildcard may be a deal with the Dodgers. Price Puig (with others involved)?
Price for Puig? That is one of the most outrageous deals I have seen posted, I like the outline but doubt it goes through. Puig is controlled for years at low costs and Price is controlled 1 more year
It seems virtually impossible. Perhaps Price for a guy like Van Slyke – but Puig is extremely unrealistic, especially considering the contracts and years of control involved.
Van Slyke is a part time player, Price is a top 15 pitcher in all of baseball. Methinks you are overvaluing the Dodgers players or undervaluing Price. (And I agree that a trade involving Price and Puig is unrealistic).
Ooooh, I definitely didn’t mean to put VS there – I meant to put Kemp and a salary dump. I’ve just been thinking about SVS for the Mets.
I did mention “others involved”.
Also note that there is now a direct interest in Price due to the Dodgers GM change.
I do not think the Tigers would be interested after getting burned with trading Fister for three prospects. Puig has enough downside risk to NOT make the deal.
A Detroit radio station here suggested Puig for JD Martinez. Both under control for similar number of year, and their performance is similar in 2014. Again, doubt the Tigers make that deal because of the downside risk.
If we hold on to Soria, the only bullpen move that would necessary would be sign Andrew Miller. Anything else would be an emergency plan. A bullpen of Hardy, Al Al, Miller, Soria, Rondon, and Nathan could be pretty solid. I think a new everyday center fielder is a must, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we traded for one of Jay, Bourjos, or Grichuk on St. Louis.
Add Luke Putkonen from the DL for number 7. They only had him for 2 games this year. He seems to be ready to go. Maybe they don’t need as big an overhaul as many assume.