As the disappointment of the Detroit Tigers conclusion to the 2012 season sets in, it’s time to shift focus to next year. GM Dave Dombrowski has already made several major announcements. Among them:
- Jim Leyland and his entire coaching staff (including co-hitting coaches Toby Harrah and Lloyd McClendon) will all be back.
- Jhonny Peralta’s $6M option for 2013 has been picked up. Barring a creative offseason trade, he will be the starting shortstop again next year.
- Detroit also picked up the option for Octavio Dotel. His contract is valued at $3.5M for next year. Arguably, Dotel was Detroit’s most consistent reliever in 2012.
This helps clear up a few things heading into the offseason, but none of these moves were particularly unexpected.
Bye, bye Delmon Young. And thanks for the memories.
Several players are no longer under contract, which will temporarily relieve (pending arbitration raises) some of the $133M payroll the Tigers forked out in 2012. Jose Valverde and his $9M contract will be quietly escorted out of town. Delmon Young, a virtual steal at $6.75M, will test free agent waters and not return due simply to lack of available space as Victor Martinez will occupy the DH role. The $5.5M the Tigers paid for Brandon Inge’s services also come off the board. Gerald Laird becomes an unrestricted free agent as well but is someone the Tigers will consider re-signing for another 1-year deal. If they don’t bring Laird back, then you can expect Bryan Holaday to be the backup catcher next year.
Most of the core of the Tigers’ roster remain completely under team control. The following players are arbitration eligible this offseason:
- Max Scherzer – he will get a substantial raise from $3.75M. Probably in the $6-9M range.
- Doug Fister – welcome to being a millionaire Doug! He made $575K last year. He’ll likely get $4-7M in arbitration.
- Rick Porcello – he made $3.1M this year and will get a bump to around $5M.
- Phil Coke – he’ll get a slight raise from the $1.1M he made in 2012.
- Alex Avila – he pulled in $510K and will join the millionaire club along with Fister. Probably between $1.5-2M.
- Don Kelly made $900K this year and is arbitration eligible. The Tigers have made the decision to remove him from the 40-man roster. His bat vanished in 2012. Not a good sign for a bench player. Hopefully he catches on somewhere else.
- Brennan Boesch – he made $502,500 in ’12 and is another player Detroit had to ponder. But the Tigers will tender him a contract this offseason. He’s still cheap, young, and loaded with potential. If Detroit can bring him back mentally, he could be a huge asset in 2013. To me, he has too much upside at this point to sell while his value is at its lowest point, and Detroit recognizes that.
- Austin Jackson – Jackson made $500K last year and isn’t due for just arbitration, he’s due for a long-term contract. The Tigers need to lock him up with something resembling a 5-year, $40M contract.
- Ryan Raburn – his 2-year deal has expired, making him arbitration eligible. The Tigers will have to think long and hard about using up a roster spot with him again next year. Bet on that not happening.
Among other things at Dombrowski’s presser today, he indicated that they would love to re-sign Anibal Sanchez. He is going to be a hot commodity on the free agent market but clearly fit in well with the team after joining up in late July. It went so well in fact that he might settle for a few less pennies to stay in Detroit. If Sanchez does go elsewhere, the Tigers will most likely fill the rotation in the same way that they did to start 2012 with Drew Smyly as the 5th starter.
[Detroit Tigers free agent rumors: outfield edition]
Dombrowski also mentioned minor league reliever Bruce Rondon as a likely member of the 2013 bullpen. He may end up as the closer sooner than you think. Maybe even Opening Day.
On the injury front, Omar Infante will be off from baseball activities for 4-6 weeks but will be ready for spring training. Alex Avila’s arm also checks out fine. After some rest, he should be ready to roll as well and hopefully improve on a disappointing 2012 season. Victor Martinez should also be fully healed for spring camp. There are no other injury issues of note.
About Joe White
I have to disagree on D Young, the Tigers should have had a new contract waiting for him after the series. He was one of only a few that hit and drove in runs over the course of the playoffs, He was great under the pressure. I disagree on Jackson as well, he was to busy swinging for the fences as eveidenced by the many swings where he came out of his shoes (figuratively) instead of doing what he was hired for, getting on base
Thanks to Young and Valverde for their contributions over the years. It’s been great, best of luck in the future.
I had NO IDEA Fister was such a bargain. I’d have to garner part of his old salary was picked up by his prior team.
The guy has earned a 4 to 7M a year price tag, same with Max.
I have to eat crow, I wasn’t impressed with the first few outings of Sanchez…but what a stud he proved to be.
This may be the strongest starting rotation in baseball…at least the American League for sure.
Can’t wait for VMart to come back…
I’ve read Rondon is similar to Zumaya but with much less effort on his arm to get that speed. A nice 100MPH reliever would be fantastic….
Nope. Fister just hasn’t reached arbitration years yet, just like Austin Jackson hadn’t.
Froggie, it is being rumored that Lamont will be taken off of 3rd base. Brookens will likely go there and maybe Rafael Belliard or Toby Harrah to 1st.
3rd base coach lamoote [sp] needs to go. he’s cost us a few times with his decisions that were bad choices as to when to send or hold up runners. This series sending Fielder home after running from 1st base? And it the playoffs a few years ago holding players that could have easly scored and cost us the game. too old, need a younger person down there.
If Prince knew how to slide he was safe on that play. If you watch he pulls his lead foot away from the bag and still almost came in safe. If he touches with his lead foot instead of pulling it back he would have made it easy, but knowing he had no clue how to slide is something Lamont should know.
Just not seeing the immediate need to go get a closer. Rondon should get a shot. Rookie closers can sometimes be dominant, like Craig Kimbrel was. If it doesn’t work out then go get one.
For those hoping they keep Anibal, don’t count on it. My prediction: someone will overprice him and the Tigers will back away.
Love Vmart, but how old is he? Can he stay healthy even at the DH spot? That is my only concern with the guy. We have to lock down Sanchez. That should be priority one.
Still shell shocked from the world series, but looking forward to getting Vmart back and saying good bye to the couple guys you mentioned. Hard to believe Inge was getting more than half of the starting rotation combined. Will be interesting to see what Dombo has up his sleeve in 2013.
If they could somehow retain Anibal that would be huge. Adding V-Mart back into the line up is going to be fun.
I suspect The Tigers could take a look at Joakim Soriano to fill a bullpen/closer spot. KC isn’t expected to pick up his $8 million option after recuping from Tommy John surgery. He probably could be had for $2 OR $3 million with nice option.
cya Delmon
My pleasure. Sadly for Delmon, there is just no spot for him. I’d love his bat in the 6 spot behind Cabrera, Fielder, and VMart, but you can’t have 2 DH’s.
Agreed on Fister and Jackson. 2 of the best bargains in baseball last year. I have no problem with Kelly being gone and please ship Rugburn off as fast as possible. Boesch still has a chance, so I like keeping him.
We must keep Sanchez. What a dominant starting rotation that is. Lock em up!
I can see why Young will test free agency, but in case anyone missed it the last 2 years, he is one of very few who can HIT the ball in the playoffs. I for one will miss his bat for sure.
Love the coverage Joe! Thanks.
Yep. It’s nearing time to get those guys locked up and paid before their price tags get too high.
Wow, Fister and Jackson were downright bargains last year. I wonder how they felt about Inge and Raburn maing a ton more than them?