Tigers president/CEO Christopher Ilitch spoke with reporters (including Chris McCosky of The Detroit News and Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press) this afternoon. Most notably, Ilitch addressed the upcoming offseason and suggested the Tigers could pursue some bigger-ticket acquisitions as they near the end of their rebuild.
“(General manager Al Avila) and his team are very focused on continuing to improve our team. We see the long-term efforts put forth by his team and we see the emergence of a young core,” Ilitch said. “And I think Al feels we need to continue to improve our ballclub in a high, impactful way. I very much support the approach he and his team have taken — building a young core of talent and now having the desire to bring in high-impact players to fill that out. I’m very supportive of that.”
Those comments seem to suggest ownership would be willing to sign off on a significant free agent investment, and Ilitch said that kind of move “undoubtedly … could happen this winter.” Unsurprisingly, he didn’t mention any specific targets on the upcoming market, but Ilitch did express a general desire to “be strong up the middle.”
There’s a rather straightforward line to be drawn between Ilitch’s comments and the upcoming star-studded free agent shortstop class. Each of Corey Seager, Carlos Correa, Marcus Semien, Trevor Story and Javier Báez is slated to hit the open market. Seager and Correa (who will each be 27 by the start of the offseason) do so as particularly young free agents, while both Story and Báez will turn 29 this winter. That youth could be appealing to a Tigers club that’ll just be entering their competitive window next season and might still be one year away from making a true push for the top of the AL Central. (It’s also particularly easy to connect Correa as a speculative candidate of the Tigers, given his overlapping time in Houston with Detroit manager A.J. Hinch).
As Ilitch alluded to, the Tigers have played fairly well after a dismal start to the year. Detroit began this season 9-24, killing any faint hopes they had at staying in contention almost immediately. But they’ve quietly gone 42-33 since bottoming out on May 7. With three months of productive play — including good work from controllable players like Casey Mize, Matthew Boyd, Akil Baddoo, Eric Haase, Jeimer Candelario and Robbie Grossman — some optimism for 2022 and beyond isn’t unwarranted. That’s particularly true with highly-touted young players like Tarik Skubal, Matt Manning, Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson all at or approaching the big league level.
From a financial perspective, the Detroit organization shouldn’t have issue being aggressive over the coming offseasons. The Tigers entered the 2021 season with just an $80.8MM payroll, in the estimation of Cot’s Baseball Contracts. Only Miguel Cabrera ($32MM) and Grossman ($5MM) have guaranteed deals on the books for next season.
Obviously, arbitration raises will add to that tally, but the fact remains that the organization should have ample spending capacity. This is a franchise that pushed payroll up near the $200MM mark at its 2016-17 peak and had spent in excess of $100MM on players every year between 2007-2020 (prior to prorating) before snapping that streak this season.
Granted, much of that spending was greenlit by Mike Ilitch, who passed away in February 2017. We have yet to see Chris Ilitch spend at his father’s level, but the franchise has been mired in a rebuild for essentially all of the younger Ilitch’s ownership tenure. It’s possible, then, that Chris Ilitch’s comparative frugality has been more a reflection of the lack of big league talent within the past few seasons than any sort of unwillingness on his part to sign off on higher than average payrolls.
If that’s the case, as Ilitch implied today, the offseason possibilities are numerous. The core of the potential next competitive Tigers team is at or near the big league level. The time to supplement that young talent with notable outside acquisitions is approaching, and it seems the Tigers could kickstart that effort in the coming months.
Trade Willi Castro and Miguel Cabrera for Trout, Ohtani, and Adell. Angels would love to get rid of Adell so they’ll throw in those two just to do it.
Swap Boyd and high A prospect for deGrom.
Sign Correa. Call up Torkelson.
Should be close to being a contender.
They need Betts as a 4th OF first
Productive comments as usual, “Steve.”
This was my “If other team’s fan bases talked like Yankee fans” impersonation. What do you think?
Yankee fans would turn down a trade that would send Trout and Ohtani to the Bronx for Clint Frazier. Ive never seen fans talk up mediocre players like Yankee fans do.
Yanks fans would insist Adell be added to the Trout-Ohtani package. I mean, it’s Clint Frazier, after all.
Yankee fan wouldn’t sell that cheap on those players. Good grief it’s Yankee fans. They know it all
The funny thing about Yankee fans is that as soon as Frazier gets traded they will forget that he ever played for them.
I sat with Yankee fans at Yankee Stadium a few years ago vs. the Tigers and no one believed that Phil Coke and Austin Jackson were ever part of the Yankees and that Curtis Granderson hadn’t always been a Yankee..
Please don’t feed the trolls…..
It worked with Magglio. Of course then there are guys like Hosmer on the Padres holding their team back. Let’s just say I wouldn’t go giving anyone an 8 year deal….
Dude, Joel, dude, why do you keep ignoring me, dude? You said yourself its not cool to ignore people, dude. Come on dude.
He’s playing hard to get. You just gotta keep trying.
Dude I don’t know who you are but stop trolling me. Seriously I won’t ask again.
or else?
Dude I just wanted to ask you a question, so calm down dude. Are you okay with that, dude?
Dude, you have an atti-dude problem.
They will undoubtedly be giving out a “bad deal” of some sort …. If they don’t, landing one of the big free-agent-to-be shortstops is a pipe dream.
Do not hand out any fat contracts for anybody, especially any of the shortstops. The team already has a special energy beginning to flow. Start finding a good bullpen first.
They probably will. The Tigers have always been forthcoming with their intentions.
I’m an A’s fan, and this is an insane request – we lose in the playoffs EVERY year by doing what you say and NOT spending big on anyone. You NEED the big money elite superstars if they are available.
Bullpens are the most volatile things about baseball, you dont have to find one until you are winning on the offense side.
That’s a good way to never win. Going big and signing one player who won’t perform as no free agents ever perform and be stuck with a bad contract.
Playoffs are a crapshoot every intelligent person knows that, unless you’re not… never mind.
every successful team has it’s fair share of guys past their arb years. and the playoffs being a “crapshoot” doesnt justify inactivity.
All Tigers really need is a top shortstop, everything else seems to be in the system.
Are you saying the Tigers have nothing but high impact players in the system? Or are you forgetting that you can actually have elite players in their primes, its not illegal or anything! You don’t have to settle for rookies and guys who take a minute to hit their ceilings!
Seager-Semien or Correa-Semien?
An impact shortstop is the one thing the Tigers don’t have in their system. You have to buy what you can’t make yourself.
They basically just said “We are getting Seager or Correa and maybe Semien too”.
Winnable division, smart move at the right time.
“Hey ma, Tigers ain’t tankin’ no more! Call pa!” “Deep impact – they say!”
Always fun when Detroit spends big.
MIKE Ilitch did that. No others. He ignored them in the ‘90’s, then went nuts.
Doubt the son will lose his cookies that way. Agree – would be fun if he did.
It will be nice to see the Tigers return to relevance again. Hope to see them add (2) star free agents this offseason and really jumpstart their competitive window. White Sox will still be the class of the division though.
From your lips to God’s ears, well at least to Chris Illitch’s ears.
Correa, Schoop, Verlander.
I like the thought of Verlander coming home with Turnbull out for TJS. If he has a couple good years left in his arm it would be a nice bookend to his career.
Would be afraid of dropping huge $$$ on a SS like Seager or Correa who seem to hurt an awful lot thus far in their careers…
Don’t like Baez’s attitude or defense.
Story leaving Coors scares me.
The key word in this entire article is “could”…. It’s time for sonny boy to put up, or shut up. I do agree with the folk that have posted here that extreme long term is a bad idea. (See the miggy contract)…Yes, we really need a shortstop. But, I wouldn’t be inking any 10 year deals. Six, at the most,, with a bit higher salary per year.
Both Castros need to GO!!! Not to the minors. Gone! Out of the organization!
Maybe keep Goodrum. But I think Zack short would be a better infield option from the bench. So, you have Short for infield duties, and Goodrum as a spot super ute.
Fix the bullpen once and for all.. Soto can go, too. He is a disaster waiting to happen…
Let Boyd go for what you can get: probably a soggy bratwurst… and get JV Back for a (hometown/heartfelt) discount. Sign Scoop for 3 years and put him back at 2nd. Stop fooling around and let Tork go to first and keep Candy at 3rd. The pieces are here. Just need daddy’s boy to stop making empty promises.
Can’t forget Greene and Dingler. Now that I think of it, Goodrum can go and you can spot Grossman in the outfield. Greene, Baddoo, Grossman, Hill, Cameron. THAT’S a good outfield. One would have to go or learn a different spot on defense.
As a Tigers fan, I absolutely love that Illitch made this statement. They need at least a SS badly, but free agency will bring several options (I prefer Semien over Correa over Seager over the others, by the way). I would like to see them try out the younger players at 2B next year, but an extension for Schoop would not be horrible, either. And a Verlander reunion might not be too expensive after his TJS.
Gruß,
BSHH
C- Rogers/ Haase w Dingler up late in the year. Haase to Super Utility at LF/DH/PH/3rd catcher to get him 450 PAs
1B- This is where Tork goes, but a Schoop re-signing may have him here for a year or under as Tork gets up to speed.
2B- Castro/Paredes for a year or less, then Schoop, see above.
SS- Correa/Castro. Zack Short is a nice story. Now go get your shoe shine box.
3B-Candy is fine, Paredes gets the off days here and 2b.
LF- Greene- I hope he wins out of camp, if not it’s Haase and Grossman until he gets up
CF- Yabba Dab-BADDOO, with Hill as a DR/backup.
RF- Cameron gets a one year shot to get on track or be replaced by a big FA after 22.
DH- Miggy. The End Is Near. This will ultimately be shared by Haase and Paredes.
SP- The Three Amigos and Red Bull, long term, but need another 1 yr guy here., then maybe JV on a return tour? OK. But really would like to see Wentz work into this slot. Any of the 3 Amigos falters and it’s a pretty decent FA or trade coming. Keep a couple vet 5/6 starters like Urena etc around as long relief/swing starter etc.
Bullpen- Man, who knows. Where is John Hiller again? Dead? OK, Plan B.- Sign 4 guys. Keep developing Soto and the other guys coming through. Pray it works this time after so many teases the last 20 years.
I’d be careful telling anybody to get their shine box. That didn’t work out too well for Billy Batts when he told Tommy DeVito to do the same
Are you guys looking at the bullpen AJ, Fetter and Jaun are building and how AJ weaves leverage situations into the games? The success of Fulmer, Cisneros and Soto is real. Fulmer struck out Devers, Bogardt, and Martinez in the 7th, with fire.
Could, not will, that is the rub. He left himself an out. Chris Ilitch has always said he would spend with the time is right. That also left him an out, he can always say the time isn’t right. I have been patient with the rebuild and have taken Chris at his word. But that also comes with some skepticism about spending until he actually does. I am not convinced this off season is the right time to spend. Their best prospects are still in the minors and likely will be for a good chunk of next year.. SS is a glaring hole but there will be good SS candidates not just this off season, but the next two as well. Plus, the Tigers are 2 seasons from being serious contenders (if not longer) and only one SS is young enough to really be in his prime when that rolls around: Carlos Correa. But he potentially could be out of range for the Tigers. So I could easily see the Tigers saying not the time to spend when all is said and done.
It is OK to talk, but no Tigers fans should be all excited by the talk. If you are going to talk better back it up and open that checkbook this off season.
Yes, Doc, as the old saying goes “Talk is Cheap!”
Yes but this is the first time CI’s comments have a definite time line. I believe more than a little of Tiger FO statements ring of AJ influence.
Doc, you base your opinion on what exactly? Because Chris Illitch didn’t spend the past few years?
It. Would. Not. Matter. who they could have signed.
What did you want a lagging contract on a player PAST their prime to help hold the team down?
I’m glad you are not the owner.
Willi Castro showed he can hit, still think he can put it together, maybe as an outfielder if his defense doesn’t improve.
Willi needs to go..End of story!!
Cleveland fan here, so no bias at all.
The Tigers are setting themselves up to be REALLY good in the not too distant future. They already have the makings of a really good young rotation (and I think Mize will take another leap toward being a Cy Young contender as soon as next year), but their position players like Torkelson, Greene, and Dingler aren’t close behind either. They’ve also shown a willingness to add to the payroll once the time comes, and even if they don’t spend $200 million or more a year like with Mike Ilitch, even a payroll around $150 million or so could be enough to do some serious damage. This could be a special team down the line.
Anthony DeSclafani would be a nice veteran fit especially in that ballpark, though maybe Tigers are scared of another Zimmerman. 3/45 for Disco seems more than fair though, DeSclafani mows down bad lineups (AL Central fits well) but has been really bad against LAD this year, I think one start where he allowed 10 ER vs them accounts for most of his ERA.
Signing any of those SS to a mega deal is not in the best interest of the team. Sign Chris Taylor to a reasonable 4 yr deal and let him play SS. Another option could be to trade for Kim from SD. They may be looking to drop salary, and he could be a reasonable acquisition.
I think Giants ss Crawford is fa also? But I think itll be 8-10 years of Correa for the Tigers.
They’ll have to over pay to get anyone to Detroit. Maybe Pudge Rodriguez will take another chance with them.
If you’re a Tiger fan of a certain age (as I am) you’ll remember how incredibly good they were up the middle for most of the 1980s. Parrish, Whitaker, Trammell, Lemon. Every one of them an all star and three of the four came from the Tigers system. They had to trade Steve Kemp, who was coming off two very productive seasons, to get Chet Lemon.
Having that kind of defense is not easy to do so yes, it’s time to start filling the last of the holes they have in these spots. I’d give the nod to Correa over Seager for his glove. He’s had injuries but seems to be holding up well this year.
Greene and Torkelson are coming up next year, Baddoo has a game that seems well suited to Comerica Park so they have their leadoff hitter. I suspect Haase may well be a reliable middle of the order slugger. Add a good free agent like Correa and a couple decent relievers and they’ll be a tough opponent for anyone next year.
If Greene, Torkelson and Dingler progress as expected Tigers are going to be real good in two years.
Ok. It must be true, I don’t understand this rebuild.
IM NS HO – trying to be competitive too early will stop this team from building a dominate team that becomes a Central Dynasty.
Strategy says -keep all young players down for as long as possible, including and especially the pitchers Mize Skobal, Manning , sign players (pitchers) TO TRADE, trade them, then bring up the rookies……same for.the entire roster, keep trading for top prospects until you only have room for top prospects on the 40….
Geez Al, what are you doing?
Take on salary for top prospects.
Please.dont sign someone just because. IF YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC TARGET…OK.
Most of us have not waited for a competitive team. Al, we have waited for a DOMINANT TEAM.
KEEP ON BUILDING, USE BETTER STRATEGY, IF CHRIS WILL SPEND, SPEND TO GET PROSPECTS – by taking on salaries or by signing trade candidates.
Still gotta slam you Al based on,” the harder I work, the luckier I get”. You seem to have bad luck sometimes.
Face the facts. We just played a bunch of teams who, like the Tigers, are not even trying to contend.
Long ways to go.
Go Tigers!
In other words, proven rooks only break camp with the team when they have run out of options….until then, a tradable vet keeps the spot warm….but hell, everyone knows I do not understand the rebuild process.
But I DO UNDERSTAND, competitive is NOT GOOD ENOUGH.
If I were running the Tigers, I would pursue Zack Greinke, Brad Hand and Trevor Story.
If those three are out of reach, Archie Bradley, Alex Cobb, Michael Conforto and Nelson Cruz would be other names on my list.
Correa is a no brainer. Hinch is managing.
Young at 27 and even with a long term deal it’s not the Miggy contract.
Verlander coming home is another fine idea.
Add Wentz to the mix and it seems doable. FFS stop with the Torkelson at 3rd base thing. The kid was a 1st baseman and last I looked they needed one. Schoop is a 2nd baseman and needs to be there. He’s a gamer but seems lost at first at times.