We’ve had about 48 hours to cool our jets following another disappointing Tigers playoff season, so all that’s left to do is turn to 2015. It’s only about 4 months before pitchers and catchers report to Lakeland, FL for Spring Training 2015, and between now and then GM Dave Dombrowski will have plenty to keep him busy.
Before we dive in to specifics, the Tigers definitely plan on being competitive next season. Their core group of stars is here to stay. Players like Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera, JD Martinez, and David Price are signed through next season or longer. It will be the job of Dombrowski and Co. to fill the roster with players who can help the Tigers win a 5th straight AL Central title and (probably more importantly) get back to the World Series.
In all, Detroit has 7 free agents that are due to hit the open market. Included in the 7 are 2013 Cy Young Winner Max Scherzer, veteran right-fielder Torii Hunter, and the Tigers clean-up hitter Victor Martinez.
The rotation would suffer a huge blow if Scherzer decides to leave for greener pastures. Greener is a money sense. The Tigers offered him 6 years and $144M and he turned it down prior to the season. Will the Tigers offer him more money? Teams like the Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox, and Cardinals are rumored to be interested in Scherzer’s services. Torii Hunter is a different story. Hunter is no spring chicken anymore, and admitted to being mentally exhausted. He could return to the Tigers in a reduced role next season, or he could decide to hang up the glove. He said he will take some time and reassess in a few weeks. Victor Martinez could be the most important free agent to be that the Tigers have. He had a career year in 2014, even though he’s 35 years old. At his age, this will probably be the last big contract Victor will sign before he himself hangs ‘em up. He’ll want a longer term deal, but will the Tigers be willing to give it to him? Picture in 5 years, when Victor is 40 and Miguel Cabrera is 36. Will they still be as dominant as they are today? It’s unlikely. Both Scherzer and Martinez expressed their desires to return to Detroit next season.
The bullpen is an issue in itself. They were a disaster the entire season and on into October. Joe Nathan is owed $10M next season, and Joakim Soria has a team option that Detroit will almost definitely pick up. Al Albuquerque is signed for next season, but everyone else is a question mark. Phil Coke and Joba Chamberlain have probably thrown their last pitches in a Tiger uniform. Dombrowski will have a field day rebuilding this hell hole of a bullpen this winter.
The last facet of the team Dombrowski needs to address is the bench. There is absolutely no excuse for why Hernan Perez is the guy you send up to bat with the season on the line, with Eugenio Suarez on deck. It was downright embarrassing. They’ll need a veteran bat before heading to Spring Training, then possibly look for another around the trade deadline.
Dombrowski has his work cut out for him. In addition to what I listen above, he also could be looking for a catcher if Alex Avila’s head issues continue. David Price and Rick Porcello are both free agents after 2015, and there will be a hole in the back of the bullpen after Nathan’s and Soria’s contracts expire. For the Tigers, there will be no such thing as an off-season.
Featured photo via Alyssa Blayney, DSN