Detroit Tigers: Does Dave Dombrowski Want Out Of Detroit?
By Matt Snyder
Could Dave Dombrowski be looking to make a move to a new organization when his contract with the Detroit Tigers expires at the end of October?
Dave Dombrowski, who has been the president and general manager of the Detroit Tigers since the 2002 season, is currently without a contract for next season. His contract with the Tigers expires at the end of the season and, according to a report by Jon Morosi, there has been no progress toward a new deal.
"It’s unclear whether Tigers owner Mike Ilitch is simply waiting until after the season to offer Dombrowski a new contract, or if he’s actively considering leadership changes in the midst of an inconsistent year for the team. (The Tigers entered Friday as the American League Central’s third-place team, with a 44-41 record.)"
Morosi conjures up a what-if scenario whereby Mike Ilitch is unhappy with the current state of the Tigers and might decide to change directions, but my first reaction is that the opposite is much more likely to be true.
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Dombrowski spearheaded the effort — along with Ilitch agreeing to spend money — that turned the organization from one of baseball’s laughingstocks into a two-time American League champion and four-time division winner.
It’s true that Mr. I hasn’t gotten that coveted and elusive World Series ring, but he can’t be dissatisfied with the job Dombrowski has done. If anything it’s Ilitch who has pushed to mortgage the future and tie up long-term funds in pursuit of short-term results.
It’s possible that the two sides are simply waiting out the year before sitting down at the bargaining table. It’s very possible this is nothing at all, with neither side looking to make a move in a different direction.
But if one side is looking for a change, the much more likely scenario is that it’s Dombrowski looking to make the move.
No one knows the current health of the organization better than Dombrowski does, and it’s no big secret that it is waning. The minor leagues are rather devoid of impact talent (and big-time trade chips). The team’s star players (who are under conract beyond this season) are pretty much all past their prime age. Loads of money (over $100 million) will be committed to just five players who are 32 years old (or older) for each of the next two or three seasons.
It’s entirely possible they win big in 2015, 2016, or 2017 — because of random variation and all that goodness — but it very much appears that the franchise’s best days are now in the rear view mirror. They’ll be winners again eventually, but when’s the next time they’ll be positioned to win as well as they are now (and they’re not positioned all that well now)? 2019?
Dombrowski will turn 60 during next year’s baseball season. He might be thinking about his own retirement. He might be thinking that his next contract will be his last one. He might be thinking that he really wants to win another world championship.
He might be thinking that Detroit isn’t the best place to realize that goal.
Next: Tigers Rumors: Are Kazmir and Zobrist Possibilities?