Detroit Tigers: Al Avila Working Wonders in Offseason
By Mike Rizzo
Al Avila’s commitment to bullpen building makes Detroit Tigers’ offseason a success.
The Detroit Tigers Al Avila has stocked up on bullpen arms so far this offseason. He has acquired Francisco Rodriguez through trade, signed Mike Pelfrey, and, last Wednesday, acquired Justin Wilson from the New York Yankees for a pair of minor leaguers.
He also acquired Outfielder and former Tiger Cameron Maybin for Ian Krol and a prospect.
The Tigers still want to add a left fielder but as Al Avila said Tigers aren’t pursuing Alex Gordon or Yoenis Cespedes.
The Tigers said the same thing about Prince Fielder and a week later they ended up signing him. A lot of the media have been bashing Mike Illitch for what he said at the Jordan Zimmermann press conference when he said he didn’t care about spending money.
If the Tigers end up not getting Cespedes or Gordon, I still think this offseason is a success because the issue the last several years has been the bullpen, and that appears to be fixed (or at least addressed).
Also, imagine the backlash the Tigers would receive if they had another $20 million player on the team. The Tigers, in my opinion, are handling this offseason just right, with the possible exception of the Pelfrey signing.
If the Tigers add either Gordon or Cespedes — and I still think they get one of them — this offseason will go from good to great. If history is any guide, nobody should count out the Tigers in getting one more big name player in this offseason.
The rotation is pretty much set, the bullpen has been strengthened and, as fellow Detroit Jock City writer Souichi Terada, said Al Avila is doing what his predecessor never did.
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While I’m not fond of the Pelfrey signing I still think overall this offseason has been a success. Because the main issue for the last several years has been relief pitching. Avila has done a heck of a job in acquiring talent for the bullpen.
It is only December so there is a lot more time for the Detroit Tigers to add a left fielder that would make this offseason a great offseason.