Tigers general manager and team president Dave Dombrowski answered questions from reporters Tuesday regarding the Tigers season and the direction they may go this off-season.
The portion of Dombrowski’s press conference that really stood out was when he started talking about the teams own free agents and whether or not they would make an effort to re-sign them.
Here what he had to say about Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen, Ramon Santiago, Brad Penny and Joel Zumaya…
Magglio Ordonez/Carlos Guillen
Dombrowski said that it was unlikely that the Tigers bring back the two veterans in Ordonez and Guillen next season.
“Magglio and Carlos — tremendous pros who’ve done a lot for our organization,” Dombrowski said. “A couple of guys who have been integral parts. Odds are they won’t be back.”
Dombrowski mentioned that Leyland and himself informed the pair back in September that they wouldn’t offer them contracts in September.
Ramon Santiago
In terms of Ramon Santiago, Dombrowski said that the team would make a push to re-sign Santiago. However Dombrowski believes that Santiago may get a better deal on the open market.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if someone stepped up and offered him an everyday role and some dollars,” he said. “We’d like to have him back.”
Joel Zumaya
When the discussion got to Joel Zumaya, it seemed like things were a little unclear…
“We’d be open to have him back, but with the uncertainties he’d be an (camp) invite,” Dombrowski said. “I don’t think you can count on him with that type of situation.”
Brad Penny
When the ALDS playoff roster was announced, Brad Penny made it, but it doesn’t seem like he will make the cut with the Tigers (in terms of being offered a contract) next season.
Dombroski said the development of pitchers in the Tigers’ system (namely Jacob Turner) makes it unlikely that the Tigers bring back Penny.
“Ideally they’d like to have a left-hander in the starting rotation,” he said, adding Jacob Turner would get a good chance to start with the roster as it stands now.
“If we sign someone, though, he’ll be back in the minors,” he said of Turner.
- Dombrowski said that manager Jim Leyland doesn’t prefer to have a lineup with a bunch of All-Stars and that he prefers role players within the lineup. With that said the Tigers are likely to platoon at second base OR third base.
- The Tigers will go out and sign a right-handed hitting backup catcher for Alex Avila. Even though Victor Martinez can play catcher, the Tigers would like to cement him in more as the teams designated hitter.
- Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News said that the Tigers’ run to the American League Championship Series could make Detroit a free agent destination. When Dombrowski was confronted with that statement he simply said “I think it helps but we have dollars,”.
Ref: Detroit News, Detnews.com (image)