Detroit Tigers: Dave Dombrowski Out as General Manager, Al Avila Takes Over
By Matt Snyder
In a shocking announcement Tuesday afternoon, the Detroit Tigers have announced that Al Avila has taken over the role of general manager and executive vice president of baseball operations. Jason Beck of MLB.com was first to report the news on Twitter.
Tigers announce Al Avila as new general manager, executive VP of baseball operations.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) August 4, 2015
There was previously speculation about whether or not Dave Dombrowski would return next season. His contract was set to expire at the end of the season and the two sides had not reached an agreement on an extension.
It wasn’t clear whether owner Mike Ilitch wanted to take the team in another direction or if maybe Dombrowski didn’t want to remain with a team with a quickly closing window.
Beck’s follow-up tweet makes it sound sort of like a firing — like Ilitch wanted him gone.
Quote from Ilitch: “I’ve decided to release Dave from his contract in order to afford him the time to pursue other career opportunities.”
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) August 4, 2015
But Jon Heyman tweets that it was Dombrowski’s decision to resign.
tigers bombshell: dave dombrowski resigns as tigers president/gm. al avila takes over.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 4, 2015
It’s probably ultimately immaterial who made the final decision — perhaps it was mutual — but it is curious that the Dombrowski and the Tigers continued the partnership through the trade deadline.
The decision of which players to trade away and which to ask for in return will play a big role in shaping the future of the franchise. It’s odd that it was a job entrusted to a man who was on his way out.
Beck reports Al Avila’s statement to the media, which adds more confusion to the situation.
Avila: “We’re confident we can make a strong push to win this year, and that we have the foundation in place to win for years to come.”
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) August 4, 2015
“We can make a strong push to win this year” certainly stands out as strange right off the bat. Was Mr. Ilitch against the decision to act as deadline sellers? Will the Tigers change course and try to add players during the August waiver trade period? Is this just posturing so the fans (and team) doesn’t give up while some hope of a playoff berth remains?
It’s impossible to know so soon, but a page has certainly been turned today.
Next: LHP Matt Boyd to Start for Detroit Tigers on Wednesday