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Detroit Tigers Clips Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Detroit Free Press coming back? Tigers' options in LF remain open (Fenech) Tigers GM: Pics show Bruce Rondon 'in good shape' (Fenech) Cespedes earns Tigers' first Gold Glove since 2009 (Fenech) Tigers' Avila talks trade scenarios, more at meetings (Fenech) Tigers to hire Apple exec for analytics role (Fenech)

MLive.com Yoenis Cespedes captures ' first Gold Glove since 2009; denied again (Schmehl)

MLB.com Avila says Tigers have interest in Iwakuma (Beck) Cespedes takes home AL Gold Glove in left (Beck)

ESPN.com Offseason preview: Tigers' 10 things to watch for (Strang)

Oakland Press Deep free-agent class of sets up well for Tigers to get the two starters they need (Mowery) Yoenis Cespedes wins Tigers’ first outfield Gold Glove since 1989 (Mowery)

MassLive.com trade rumors: GM Mike Hazen, Detroit Tigers GM on working with (McCaffrey)

Daily Transactions

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Rajai Davis coming back? Tigers' options in LF remain open November 11, 2015 By Anthony Fenech/ Detroit Free Press

BOCA RATON, Fla. – There is an outfield market for free agents. "I can confirm that," Detroit Tigers general Al Avila said on Tuesday afternoon. But what Avila couldn't confirm is how much of a player the Tigers will be in that market, or if they are interested in bringing Rajai Davis back, or if the team is dead-set on finding an everyday option in leftfield. "We need an , for sure," Avila said, speaking with reporters on the second day of the general managers' meetings at the Boca Raton Resort & Club. "There's a lot of different options we're looking at, and whatever the best option is, we'll pursue it." Avila was mum on retaining Davis, who has served in multiple roles with the Tigers for the past two seasons and profiles as a perfect platoon partner to in leftfield. In 2015, Davis .258 with 18 stolen bases in 112 games. "We'd like to obviously get somebody for that role, if not something else," Avila said. "We've got to improve there." Preferably, he said, the team would like to add an everyday outfielder. Also preferably, the Tigers would like that outfielder to hit right-handed. "Obviously, (Anthony) Gose is a left-handed bat, Collins is a left-handed bat, so it would be nice to get a right- handed bat," Avila said. "But you can also do some other things, too, if they're available. But all things being equal, obviously a right-handed bat would be more to our tastes at this point. That's not to say we're just locked into that, because anything else can come around." With a number of needs on the pitching staff — the Tigers are looking to add two starting pitchers, a and perhaps additional bullpen help — it seems likely they will not be in play for upper-echelon options like Yoenis Cespedes, or in leftfield. In talking about the preference to add an everyday outfielder, Avila said, "I just don't know if we can be able to do it." If they are not, they would either pursue a cheaper everyday option — perhaps , although he hits left-handed — or find a platoon partner for Collins in leftfield. Collins, 25, hit .266 in 60 games last season. "We're happy with the way Collins ended up the year," Avila said. "He actually played very well for us. If it was the right fit, it could work." That fit has yet to be determined, with the free agent market still taking form, but the desire to add an outfielder has not. "There's a lot of different ways of making it happen," Avila said. "I can't tell you right now if it's going to be a platoon, a straight platoon, or if there's going to be one guy playing more than the other guy. Or are we able to wing it where we have a full-time guy? Sitting here right now, I can't tell you, because we're not there yet."

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Tigers GM: Pics show pitcher Bruce Rondon 'in good shape' November 11, 2015 By Anthony Fenech/ Detroit Free Press

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The proof, the Detroit Tigers hope, is in the pictures. And the pictures of Bruce Rondon that Al Avila received on his cell phone Tuesday were positive. "He looks good," Avila said. Rondon, who was sent home for "effort level" issues late in the season, is in the middle of his off-season conditioning, is throwing and will begin pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League in December. "He will be more than ready for ," Avila said. "He's in good shape. Right now, in the off-season, he's been great. ... He's been down there, and he's worked out. He's doing strength and conditioning work and throwing, so he's been doing what he needs to do to pitch." Yet another roller-coaster season for the hard-throwing right-handed reliever stalled in September, when he was told to pack his bags by manager and head home. Said Avila at the time: "We both agreed in the long that this course of action is best for both Bruce and the club." In 2015, Rondon, 24, posted a 5.81 ERA in 35 appearances. It was his first action since undergoing elbow ligament reconstruction surgery at the start of the 2014 season. He started 2015 on the disabled list with right bicipital tendinitis, then slogged through a minor league rehabilitation assignment with -A Toledo before squandering the chance to capture the closer's role for last season. Though the Tigers hope his dismissal was a wake-up call, Avila admitted they cannot count on Rondon for next season. "He's a guy that's definitely going to be in the mix," Avila said, "He is another guy we have in our system that we go into spring training and he will be in the mix. "But that doesn't deter me from looking for a closer or whatever we need for the bullpen. I can't say that he's in there in ink. He's going to have to come out there and perform and earn his spot."

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Cespedes earns Tigers' first Gold Glove since 2009 November 11, 2015 By Anthony Fenech/ Detroit Free Press

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Detroit Tigers have an Gold Glove winner, though he last played for the Mets. Yoenis Cespedes, who was on the AL ballot because he started the season in Detroit, won his first career Gold Glove after being a finalist the past two seasons. In 2015, Cespedes ranked first in baseball with a 13.6 defensive rating, according to . He led the major leagues with an 18.8 . He was traded to the Mets at the July 31 trade deadline for a pair of pitching prospects. Cespedes’ Gold Glove is the Tigers’ first since Placido Polanco at second base in 2009 and the first in the outfield since in 1989. The two other Tiger finalists, Ian Kinsler and J.D. Martinez, fell short. For the second straight year, Kinsler was snubbed, losing out to Jose Altuve. In 2015, Kinsler led AL second basemen with an 8.5 defensive rating, 6.3 ultimate zone rating and 19 . Kinsler, 33, recently won the at second base, a defensive metric-heavy award which is voted on by a panel of experts. In 2015, Martinez ranked third in baseball with 15 outfield assists. He lost out to rightfielder . Note: Former Tigers left-hander was named a finalist for the American League tonight on MLB Network. He goes up against Houston Astros lefty and right- hander Sonny Gray. The winner of the award will be announced at 6 p.m. Nov. 18 on MLB Network.

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Tigers' Avila talks trade scenarios, more at meetings November 11, 2015 By Anthony Fenech/ Detroit Free Press

BOCA RATON, Fla. – They were busy, in meetings from morning to night, and the Detroit Tigers were prepared for it. Their contingent arrived at the general mangers meetings a day early. On Monday, the first day of the four-day gathering of baseball’s head honchos at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, general manager Al Avila said the team met with “several” agents for free agents. Most of those players, Avila said, were pitchers, but also the team is interested in. “Mostly groundwork,” he said. The meetings were set up in advance by assistant GM John Westhoff and will continue through Thursday as the team looks outside the organization to address off-season needs. But the Tigers won’t stop there. Avila said in the afternoon that he had talked to several GMs about different trade scenarios but, “I wouldn’t say we’re actively engaged and throwing names back and forth at this time, just getting a feel for where everybody’s at.” He said there has been a lot of talking among teams, a lot of movement making noise in face-to-face interactions, phone calls and texts, and expects a lot of movement to happen across baseball soon but said it was too early to tell whether the Tigers would be participating. “These particular GM meetings, I would say this is the first time I can ever remember having all these meetings on the first day,” he said. The Tigers are actively looking to acquire pitching — starters and relievers — in the free-agent and trade market. He couldn’t gauge the free-agent market yet but said: “Certainly, there’s a lot of pitchers out there.” Avila said whether the team addresses its needed improvements on the trade market before signing free agents was yet to be determined. “It kind of all depends on how it all fits,” he said. “You can’t really say trades are going to happen before a signing — it’s just kind of how it fits with each club. Each club will have different needs and are at different places at different times, so it all kind of happens differently.” The Tigers will continue meeting with agents and teams throughout the meetings. The team likely will be active in the trade market at some point in the foreseeable future, Avila said, because, “I don’t think you’re going to be able to fill everything through free agency.”

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Tigers to hire Apple exec for analytics role November 11, 2015 By Anthony Fenech/ Detroit Free Press

BOCA RATON, Fla. – They didn't make any big player personnel moves on the first day of the general managers meetings, but the Detroit Tigers reportedly made a big move in their front office. In the latest move to beef up their analytics department, the team is expected to hire Jay Sartori as senior director of baseball operations and analytics. Sartori comes to the Tigers from Apple, where he managed the sports and entertainment section of the App Store. Before that, he served as an assistant general manager for the from 2010-13. The hire, which has not been announced by the team, would be at least the fifth in an analytical role this off- season. Baseball operations director Sam Menzin said last month that the team had hired two full-time staffers and two consultants in that area. "A thing that we really wanted to improve was technology and what kind of data we were getting from outside was very important to improve and kind of catch up with other teams," Menzin said. "In terms of improving that, we also had to improve people that were analyzing."

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Yoenis Cespedes captures Detroit Tigers' first Gold Glove since 2009; Ian Kinsler denied again November 11, 2015 By James Schmehl/ MLive.com

DETROIT -- For the first time since 2009, the Detroit Tigers have a Gold Glove winner. But he's no longer a Tiger. Despite finishing the season with the , ex-Tiger Yoenis Cespedes was crowned the American League's best defensive Tuesday night. It marked the first career for Cespedes, who became the first Tigers outfielder to capture the award since Gary Pettis in 1989. Cespedes, who has been a finalist for three consecutive years, bested New York's and Kansas City's Alex Gordon for the league's top defensive honor. The winners were revealed Tuesday night on ESPN2. Cespedes, who was traded to the Mets at the trade deadline last July, became the first Tigers player to win a Gold Glove Award since second baseman Placido Polanco won one in 2009. He led baseball with a 13.6 defensive rating, according to FanGraphs, and ranked first in the majors with an 18.8 Ultimate Zone Rating. The Tigers were one of only four teams in the AL with three or more finalists apiece. Second baseman Ian Kinsler and J.D. Martinez were nominated at their respective positions, but Cespedes was the team's lone winner. managers and coaches accounted for 75 percent of the selection process. The other 25 percent went to the advanced metrics community. Widely viewed as the favorite to win the AL Gold Glove Award at second base, Kinsler lost out to Houston's Jose Altuve. It marked the second consecutive year Kinsler, who was vying for his first career Gold Glove, has failed to win after being nominated a finalist. Boston's won the award in 2014. Named baseball's winner of the Fielding Bible Award at second base last week, Kinsler led the majors with 19 defensive runs saved this past season and posted a league-high 8.5 defensive rating, according to FanGraphs. His 6.3 Ultimate Zone Rating trailed only Miami's Dee Gordon among all players at second base. Martinez -- who ranked third in outfield assists in the AL with 15 -- was bested by Los Angeles Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun. Here is the complete list of American League finalists, with the winners bolded: • Pitcher: (Blue Jays), Sonny Gray (Athletics), Dallas Keuchel (Astros) • : (Astros), (Blue Jays), Salvador Perez (Royals) • First base: (Royals), Mike Napoli (Rangers), (Yankees) • Second base: Jose Altuve (Astros), (Twins), Ian Kinsler (Tigers) • Third base: Adrian Beltre (Rangers), (Rays), (Orioles) • : (Red Sox), Alcides Escobar (Royals), Didi Gregorius (Yankees) • Left field: Yoenis Cespedes (Tigers), Brett Gardner (Yankees), Alex Gordon (Royals) • Center field: (Rays), (Blue Jays), (Angels) • Right field: Kole Calhoun (Angels), J.D. Martinez (Tigers), (Athletics)

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Avila says Tigers have interest in Iwakuma November 11, 2015 By Jason Beck/ MLB.com

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Tigers general manager Al Avila has generally been closed-mouthed about his free- agent targets in his search for pitching. However, he confirmed that Mariners right-hander-turned-free agent is on their list. "He'd be in the mix," Avila told a Japanese reporter during Tuesday afternoon's media session at baseball's General Managers Meetings. Hot Stove Tracker There weren't any more names being publicly thrown around. With league meetings taking up most of the afternoon, Avila said, there wasn't much time for free-agent or trade discussions. Those are expected to pick up Wednesday for the last full day of work at the Boca Raton Resort and Club. With Iwakuma and other starting pitchers generating no shortage of interest on the market, as well as top relievers, the dealings could follow Avila home. Iwakuma hit the free-agent market after four seasons in , where he was an American League All-Star and Cy Young Award candidate in 2013 before winning 15 games in 2014. Known as a ground-ball pitcher with solid control, Iwakuma has averaged between seven and eight per nine every season, including 7.7 K/9 in each of the last two years. His 1.08 WHIP ratio -- walks plus hits per pitched -- ranks second among AL pitchers since 2012, trailing only White Sox lefty . His 4.34 -to-walk ratio ranks fifth, and his 3.17 ERA ranks seventh. Iwakuma is coming off an injury-shortened 2015 season that lasted just 20 starts, posting a 9-5 record and 3.54 ERA. Between that and his age -- he'll turn 35 years old next April -- he's not in the top tier of free-agent starters. But those factors also provide flexibility for teams looking for shorter-term contracts such as the Tigers, who have under contract through 2019 and Anibal Sanchez for two more years. It also makes Iwakuma a fit to stay in Seattle. As Avila has indicated a few times, the Tigers aren't expected to chase the top end of the market, but they're still looking to add a pitcher who would fit into the front half of their rotation along with another starter for the back end. Iwakuma fits the mold. Other potential free-agent fits include Jordan Zimmermann (Nationals), Scott Kazmir (Astros), Doug Fister (Nationals), Yovani Gallardo (Rangers) and (White Sox). "We've gotta see how it all develops," Avila said. "I'm not pretending that we're going to be in on [David Price]. I just don't know where things are going to go. We're going to be flexible and do what we feel will help our team try to win." In other news from the GM Meetings … Though starting and relief pitching are the Tigers' priorities, Avila said they remain on the search for a left fielder, either an everyday player or a right-handed hitter to platoon with Tyler Collins. "We're happy with the way Collins ended up the year," Avila said. "He actually played very well for us. If it was the right fit, it could work. Obviously an everyday guy would be preferable. I just don't know if we can be able to do it." The Tigers haven't yet decided whether to tender a contract to Neftali Feliz, who's eligible for arbitration after splitting this season between Texas and Detroit. This year's deadline is Dec. 2, which gives the Tigers a few weeks to see how the relief market sorts out, but Avila said Feliz could still be a fit in a reworked bullpen.

The Tigers are working to fill out their player-development staff, but are still in the process of interviewing candidates for manager and pitching at Triple-A Toledo. Vice president of player development Dave Littlefield is handling the process as part of his review of the entire farm system.

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Cespedes takes home AL Gold Glove in left November 11, 2015 By Jason Beck/ MLB.com

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- The Tigers' first Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner since 2009 is a former Tiger. Yoenis Cespedes hasn't played in the American League since being traded to the Mets at the end of July, but the now-free agent made enough of an impact over four months in Detroit to win the AL Gold Glove in left field. Cespedes' first career Gold Glove ended Alex Gordon's four-year reign as the award winner in left. It also ended Detroit's five-year Gold Glove drought. Vote for Esurance MLB Awards Neither of Detroit's other two finalists -- second baseman Ian Kinsler and right fielder J.D. Martinez -- won the Gold Glove this year. Whatever the league, whatever the uniform, it's an award the cannon-armed Cespedes -- a regular on defensive highlight reels for his throws -- has been pursuing since he broke into the big leagues in 2012. Cespedes played 99 games, 87 of them starts, in the AL in 2015 before the Tigers traded him to the Mets at the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline. He racked up nine assists in those games with Detroit, and metrics -- including 11 Defensive Runs Saved and a 15 Ultimate Zone Rating -- that easily eclipsed the numbers of players with at least 800 AL innings there. "He was as impressive a defensive left fielder as I have seen," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said in a text message Tuesday night. "He has tremendous closing speed." Project his Ultimate Zone Rating over 150 games, and his 21.3 UZR was more than Gordon's 10.5 UZR/150. Kansas City's Gordon and the Yankees' Brett Gardner were the other finalists. Voting took place near the end of the regular season among AL coaches and managers, with statistical input from the SABR Defensive Index providing an additional component. No Tigers outfielder had won a Gold Glove since Gary Pettis in 1989, part of three consecutive Gold Gloves for Pettis. The Tigers' last Gold Glove winner at any position was second baseman Placido Polanco in 2009. Several players have won Gold Gloves in a year that included a midseason trade. Hall of Famer was the last to do it, winning the NL Gold Glove at pitcher in 2008 after splitting the season between the Padres and Dodgers. Winning a Gold Glove following a midseason trade between leagues, however, is much rarer. won the AL Gold Glove at first base in 1964, even though he ended the season in the in Philadelphia. He was traded twice that season. According to STATS, Cespedes and Power are the only Gold Glove winners to play an inning in the other league in the same season. There's still a chance Cespedes could end up a Tiger again by the time he's formally presented with the award next season. He became a free agent at season's end, and while the Tigers have placed a priority on adding pitching this offseason, general manager Al Avila has said this week they're looking to add a left fielder in either an everyday or platoon role. Cespedes, meanwhile, told teammates upon being traded that he enjoyed his time in Detroit. Kinsler lost out on what would've been his first career Gold Glove despite leading all AL second basemen by a wide margin in Defensive Runs Saved. Houston's Jose Altuve was the AL winner at second base.

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Offseason preview: Tigers' 10 things to watch for November 11, 2015 By Katie Strang/ ESPN.com

After a disappointing 2015 season that saw the Detroit Tigers miss the postseason for the first time in five years, fans can expect a busy winter for the club’s front office. General manager Al Avila has already vowed to bolster the team’s starting rotation, and considering the way last season played out, the bullpen could use some reliable arms as well. Those are just a few of the pressing needs facing the organization this offseason, though. With a little more than three months until pitchers and report to spring training, here are 10 things to watch for:

Could David Price return to Detroit in free agency after being traded by the Tigers during the season? Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire 1. Avila being aggressive: This will be the first true glimpse into Avila’s leadership style as the 57-year-old enters his first offseason since taking over for Dave Dombrowski as Tigers GM. Avila, who has a strong baseball pedigree and ample scouting experience, is expected to be a significant player in the free-agent market, considering the team’s laundry list of needs that includes, at the very least, two starting pitchers, a bona fide closer and additional bullpen help. 2. Show me the money: When it comes to opening up the purse strings, Avila has indicated that team owner Mike Ilitch has shown a steadfast commitment to improving the club and spending accordingly. Recent history does nothing to suggest otherwise, as the Tigers haven’t exactly shied away from plunking down large sums to attract talent. But just how desperate is the organization to get back to contender status? With the club’s already hefty payroll approaching the luxury-tax threshold, free agency should provide some clarity as to how much the team is willing to spend to avoid another letdown like 2015. 3. Wish list: At Avila’s end-of-season debriefing, he told local media he will seek two starting pitchers, either via free agency or trade. While the demand for starting pitching remains at a premium, the market may not provide the sort of depth and breadth the Tigers desire. Regardless, the club is looking for one top-of-the rotation pitcher -- the team sorely missed workhorse David Price after his trade to the Toronto Blue Jays -- and one back-of-the-rotation starter as well. Justin Verlander's resurgent second half bodes well for him returning to form as the team’s resident ace, Anibal Sanchez is expected to begin 2016 healthy and young pitching prospects like , Matt Boyd and Michael Fulmer are expected to compete for another spot in the rotation. That leaves two spots to round out before spring training. Adding a legitimate closer remains another top priority, given concerns about Bruce Rondon’s commitment level and the lack of internal candidates for the gig (though Neftali Feliz could still get a look at some point). And while the team has been noncommittal on this, some will argue that obtaining additional help in left field is a wise idea as well. 4. Return to Motown: The Tigers made a decision for their future when they shipped out Price, reliever and outfielder Yoenis Cespedes at the trade deadline with their postseason chances growing bleak. Price and Cespedes went on to craft outstanding second halves with their respective teams, the Blue Jays and New York Mets, leaving many fans to wonder whether they’d consider returning to Detroit for another tour. Both players saw their stock rise as impending free agents, however, which could price them out of the Tigers’ budget. Cespedes told ESPN Deportes’ Marly Rivera in September that he was seeking a long-term contract of six years or more. Tony Paul of The Detroit News reported recently that the Tigers are interested in a reunion with Soria, though he is expected to have a number of options. 5. Reset for Rondon: Rondon squandered a prime opportunity in a brief audition for the closer’s role in the final weeks of the 2015 season, instead pouting his way to an abrupt dismissal. The Tigers sent him home before season’s end, citing “effort level” reasons. If Rondon wants to salvage his reputation within the organization, he needs to show an unequivocal commitment to his craft and his conditioning this offseason, starting with winter ball. Expect the Tigers to keep a close eye on the 24-year-old as they track his progress, or lack thereof. 6. Rest factor: If there is any silver lining to the Tigers’ abysmal finish and postseason miss, it is that some of their key performers will get an extended period to rest and recuperate this winter. Veterans like 10 and Victor Martinez battled through injuries this past season, and the Tigers can only hope they will be benefactors of a full offseason to recharge and reset. Other players such as Jose Iglesias (finger) and pitchers Anibal Sanchez (shoulder) and Shane Greene (pseudoaneurysm) will also be coming off season-ending injuries. 7. Young guns: Manager Brad Ausmus and the Tigers' front office got an extended look at some of the club’s bright young prospects, including shortstop Dixon Machado, who got a number of starts with Iglesias injured, and talented outfielder , who briefly transitioned from right to left field before his September call- up. Both players are honing their skills while playing winter ball this offseason and could compete for a spot come spring training. 8. On the mend: Promising young pitcher Daniel Norris, the top prospect acquired in the Price deal with the Blue Jays, made a shocking revelation this offseason, announcing he had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer during the 2015 season. Norris subsequently underwent surgery to remove the cancerous tumor and recently announced he was cancer-free. The Tigers, who were aware of the diagnosis when they made the trade in July, will continue to monitor the 23-year-old left-hander and hope for a speedy recovery. Assuming all is well come springtime, Norris is considered the front-runner among the club’s young arms to nail down a spot in the starting rotation. 9. New face: With the retirement of pitching coach after his 38-year career, Rich Dubee joins the organization as the Tigers’ new pitching coach. Considering the club’s abysmal performance on the mound this past season -- a team ERA of 4.64 that ranked 28th in MLB -- Dubee will have his work cut out for him. The longtime pitching coach has already provided some insight into his philosophy, however, telling reporters after his hiring that he likes pitchers to be aggressive and pitch inside. It should be interesting to see if this preference is at all reflected in who the team decides to target once the free-agency period opens this weekend. 10. Stats savvy: One area in which the team has made a concerted push for improvement is in the analytics department. With Sam Menzin heading the group, the Tigers are putting an increased focus on gathering and evaluating advanced statistical information that can help inform decisions, both in evaluating free agency or trade candidates as well as evaluating its own personnel. The Tigers added two analytics staffers plus a pair of consultants to help in this effort and already incorporated some of the department’s work into presentations during organizational meetings last month.

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Deep free-agent class of pitchers sets up well for Tigers to get the two starters they need November 11, 2015 By Matthew Mowery/ Oakland Press

DETROIT >> If there’s any small glimmer of luck in the Tigers’ collapse coming when it did, it’s that they’re very well positioned to quickly fix the glaring problems that got them there. Namely, starting pitching. Biggest weakness, meet the strength of a surprisingly deep — maybe the deepest in recent memory — free- agent class. “There’s some good pitchers out there. There’s pitchers that are I would say well above average, there’s pitchers that are average and there’s pitchers I would say are more a little bit below average. There’s a mix, there’s a lot of starting pitchers, there’s not a lot of relievers, I think the starting crop is a little bit stronger than the relieving crop so we should be able to acquire a couple of guys that we like,” new Tigers GM Al Avila said at his end-of-season news conference, of his offseason plan. “My hope is to find two starting pitchers, different levels of starting pitching is going to be dependent on how the market unfolds and what’s available.” What’s unfolded is a very deep, very balanced group, which should allow the Tigers plenty of opportunity to go after the veteran fixes they need, so they don’t have to force-feed their young pitching into the fire. “I would hope to add at least one guy that would be in the mix of the top three” spots in the rotation, Avila said, “and one guy that would probably be a little less.” It’s going to cost, though, and that will likely be the limiting factor on how crazy the Tigers’ shopping spree can get, since they still need to address the bullpen with several additions — one of them a closer, or at least closer candidate — and would like to upgrade in left field, if there’s money left over. “That’s the nature of the game. The way it’s going, starting pitching is at a premium, back end of the bullpen is at a premium, those are areas that it’s going to cost a lot,” Avila said. “Now, saying that, there’s different levels, we just have to wait and see how it develops. I’m not ruling anybody out.” The Tigers do have an advantage, in that they have a protected first-round pick, meaning they can pursue those pitchers who received qualifying offers (QO) without losing too much sleep. Here’s a look at the starting pitching available, separated by level of cost, with a guess whether the Tigers might pursue, or not: CREAM OF THE CROP (QO) David Price ASSESSMENT: The top tier of starters isn’t as full as it looked like it was going to be as this offseason approached, with a few of the aces proving their own mortality over the last season or so. Greinke and Price were both hip-deep in the discussion for the Cy Young in their respective leagues, though, and they’re going to get paid accordingly. VERDICT: If the Tigers were going to pay ace money, they would’ve given it to Price when he was here — they didn’t — or to . It’s unlikely they change their minds now, unless it’s by order of owner Mike Ilitch. SECOND-TIER TALENT Jordan Zimmermann (QO) Mike Leake Scott Kazmir ASSESSMENT: This group separated itself from the one above and the one below, with guys that are a notch below an ace, but not too far. The nice part is, all but one of the four were ineligible to receive qualifying offers, since they were traded midseason in 2015. The other one? Zimmermann is about as close as there is to a 1-A in this class, as long as you’re confident you can fix his minor issues from last year, and well worth giving up a second-round pick, if you’re the Tigers. 12

VERDICT: Wouldn’t surprise me if the Tigers pursue all four, and get one. [NOTE: Jeff Samardzija belongs in this group because of talent, not necessarily performance. He’ll likely get paid for the latter, but the former — his walk year was pretty brutal for a guy with stuff as good as his — may push the price down, sending him down the list.] MIDDLE OF THE ROTATION (QO) Wei-Yin Chen (QO) Hishashi Iwakuma (QO) Ian Kennedy (QO) Brett Anderson (QO) ASSESSMENT: Not quite as good as the guys above, but not No. 4 or No. 5 starters. These guys make your theoretical playoff rotation, and that’s probably why all five were tagged with qualifying offers. VERDICT: The Tigers’ protected first-round pick enables them to dabble in this area — they’d only give up their second-round pick to sign one — but there’s some risk. Lackey is 37 and Iwakuma 34, which could lead to shorter, more affordable deals, but it’s still a lot to give up. BACK END GUYS Yovani Gallardo (QO) J.A. Happ Bartolo Colon Mike Pelfrey Colby Lewis Bud Norris Marco Estrada (QO) Aaron Harang ASSESSMENT: Guys like Estrada, Happ, Young and Gallardo had good bounce-back seasons — Young and Estrada both made themselves some money in the postseason, too — but quite a few are probably due for a bit of a regression. What the Tigers don’t want is a repeat of the Alfredo Simon disaster. Guys like Pelfrey, Lewis or Colon aren’t flashy, but they’d give you a solid 3/4 to plug in ahead of whichever rookie makes the rotation. VERDICT: If the Tigers can get an innings-eater like Pelfrey, Lewis or Colon (would be a waste of his bat, I know) on the cheap, it’s coup. If they can’t, they may have to go with a reclamation project. REBUILDING THE STOCK Doug Fister Jeff Samardzija (QO) Mat Latos Kyle Lohse ASSESSMENT: These are the boom-or-bust signings that can propel a team to a if they pan out, or get people fired, if they don’t. All of these guys have pitched at a high level at one point in their careers, but just haven’t recently, for whatever reason. If you think you can do what the Pirates have done in recent years, and spin a rotation out of reclamation projects, go for it. VERDICT: It would be entirely unsurprising if the Tigers decided to try one of these guys (or maybe two, if you throw in Samardzija) to get more bang for their buck, hoping that they can pinpoint fixable problems or health issues from afar before they sign. Most fans would probably sign up for Samardzija at No. 2 in the rotation, and a reunion with Fister, who could be the No. 5, on a short-term, rebuild-the-stock deal. INTERNATIONAL POSSIBILITIES Yasiel Sierra, Cuba — The 24-year-old right-hander with a mid-90s fastball is one of the few arms coming out of Cuba, to go along with the bevy of position players.

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Kenta Maeda, Hiroshima Carp, Japan — If the Carp post the 27-year-old, the Tigers would have to be willing to pay both the $20 million posting fee, as well as a long-term contract with extensive exposure for a guy who’s never pitched in the big leagues. VERDICT: Longshot on either one.

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Yoenis Cespedes wins Tigers’ first outfield Gold Glove since 1989 November 11, 2015 By Matthew Mowery/ Oakland Press

DETROIT >> Obligatorily, the first guy to win an award for time spent with the Detroit Tigers in 2015, was one of the guys who didn’t finish the season with the team. Yoenis Cespedes won the American League Gold Glove in left field Tuesday night, the first Tigers outfielder to win one in 26 years. Placido Polanco was the last Tigers player to win a Gold Glove at any position, winning the second base award in 2009. Garry Pettis was the last Tigers outfielder to win, earning Gold Gloves in 1988 and 1989. Cespedes played 102 games with the Tigers before being traded to the New York Mets at the deadline, posting a Defensive Runs Saved of 11, with nine outfield assists. The Tigers’ other two finalists were shut out. J.D. Martinez finished behind the Angels’ Kole Calhoun for the right field Gold Glove. Ian Kinsler, the winner of the Fielding Bible Award at second base, finished behind Houston’s Jose Altuve for the Gold Glove.

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Boston Red Sox trade rumors: GM Mike Hazen, Detroit Tigers GM Al Avila on working with Dave Dombrowski November 11, 2015 By Jen McCaffrey/ MassLive.com

BOCA RATON, Fla. – They stood about a dozen steps away from each other in the conference room at the Boca Raton Resort and Club on Tuesday afternoon at baseball's general managers' meetings. Both Mike Hazen and Al Avila are first-time general managers thanks, in different ways, to Dave Dombrowski. Avila took over the Detroit Tigers when the team parted ways with Dombrowski in early August. Avila and Dombrowski had worked togehter since the early 1990s when the two were with the Florida Marlins. Dombrowski hired Hazen, already an assistant general manager in Boston, to be his general manager late in the season. Hazen and Avila each have a unique understanding of the challenges and rewards of working for Dombrowski. "He's been doing it for a long, long time and he's been very successful so I'm sure he's going to continue his process there," Avila said. "He landed in a great place. I know he's happy. I talked to him so it's all good." After 24 years working for Dombrowski between Detroit and Florida Avila finally has control of his own team. "At the beginning it was a very awkward and difficult situation but then obviously every change there comes a little difficulty and awkwardness but then once you get established it becomes the norm and you feel normal now," he said. "It's been since August it's now November so time has gone by and I feel very comfortable. Staff is still here, the same staff I've been working with for almost 20 years some for about 14 so right now things are moving pretty smooth." Hazen, who worked closely with former Red Sox general manager , finds himself in a different role under Dombrowski, serving somewhat as an advisor with Dombrowski making the final decisions. Yet he's embracing the new role and the ability to familiarize Dombrowski with the inner workings of the team. "The first two months were about getting Dave up to speed with how everything went," Hazen said. "He's been great. He's been great to work for and work with. He obviously has a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience that we're all going to learn from and so that's been good so far. Now we're jumping off into next year. This was more about putting together pieces from last year, the staff, coaching staff, front office staff and all that other stuff now it's more about focusing on the team which we haven't been able to exclusively do and now we're exclusively dong that so that's fun." Dombrowski will undoubtedly be relying more heavily on Hazen and his staff this winter in trade proposals given his lack of exposure to Boston's farm system. Teams have already been inquiring about Boston's top minor leaguers. While the Red Sox farm system is loaded, the Detroit system is barren. But Avila doesn't plan to work on that anytime soon and won't be asking for minor leaguers in trades this offseason. "I will tell you we have (Justin) Verlander coming back and (Anibal) Sanchez coming back healthy," Avila said. "What we'd like to do is have some guys battling for that fifth starting job and if it's at all possible we'd like to acquire two solid starting pitchers to round out our rotation and that's our plan so far." Just because of the awkward breakup between Domrowski and Detroit that doesn't mean a deal between the two couldn't work. In fact, Dombrowski knows intimate details of Detroit's structure and Avila's thought-process. Maybe Dombrowski tries to unload a few Red Sox starters to the Tigers in exchange for outfielder Rajai Davis or a bullpen arm like . The similarities between Detroit and Boston run deeper than the opportunities for Hazen and Avila and may even connect the two teams this offseason.

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LAST UPDATED: WED, NOVEMBER 11, 2015, 01:39 EST

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2015

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Arizona Diamondbacks Chris Herrmann Traded From from Twins, Minnesota (for OF )

Houston Astros Samuel Deduno Outrighted to Minors

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2015

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Arizona Diamondbacks Adam Loewen Signed to a Minor League Contract

Minnesota Twins Dan Runzler Signed to a Minor League Contract

Pittsburgh Pirates Guido Knudson Acquired Off Waivers From from Tigers, Detroit

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2015

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Arizona Diamondbacks Jhoulys Chacin Declared Free Agency

Boston Red Sox Jean Machi Outrighted to Minors

Boston Red Sox Alexi Ogando Outrighted to Minors

Boston Red Sox Christian Vazquez Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right elbow sprain)

Boston Red Sox Brandon Workman Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right elbow surgery - out for season)

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Boston Red Sox Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right flexor strain)

Boston Red Sox Koji Uehara Removed From 60-Day DL, (Fractured right wrist - out for season)

Boston Red Sox Sandy Leon Outrighted to Minors

Boston Red Sox Allen Craig Outrighted to Minors

Boston Red Sox Anthony Varvaro Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right flexor strain)

Chicago Cubs Ryan Cook Acquired Off Waivers From from Red Sox, Boston

Cleveland Indians Nick Hagadone Removed From 60-Day DL, (Lower back strain)

Cleveland Indians TJ House Removed From 60-Day DL, (Left shoulder inflammation)

Cleveland Indians Adam Moore Outrighted to Minors

Colorado Rockies Jordan Lyles Removed From 60-Day DL, (Sprained left big toe)

Colorado Rockies Nick Hundley Removed From 60-Day DL, (Cervical strain)

Colorado Rockies Adam Ottavino Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right triceps inflammation)

Colorado Rockies Tyler Anderson Removed From 60-Day DL, (Stress fracture, left elbow)

Colorado Rockies Tyler Chatwood Removed From 60-Day DL, (Recovery from right elbow surgery)

Los Angeles Angels David DeJesus Declared Free Agency, (team option declined)

Los Angeles Angels C.J. Wilson Removed From 60-Day DL, (Left elbow inflammation)

Los Angeles Angels Tyler Skaggs Removed From 60-Day DL, (Recovery from left elbow surgery)

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Los Angeles Angels Rafael Lopez Removed From 60-Day DL, (Fractured left hand)

Los Angeles Angels Ryan Jackson Refused Minor League Assignment - Free Agent

Los Angeles Dodgers Hyun-jin Ryu Removed From 60-Day DL, (Left shoulder surgery - out for season)

Los Angeles Dodgers Bronson Arroyo Removed From 60-Day DL, (Recovery from right elbow surgery)

Los Angeles Dodgers Josh Ravin Removed From 60-Day DL, (Left hernia)

Los Angeles Dodgers Declared Free Agency, (team option declined)

Los Angeles Dodgers Brandon McCarthy Removed From 60-Day DL, (Torn UCL, right elbow - out for season)

Los Angeles Dodgers Chris Heisey Declared Free Agency

Los Angeles Dodgers Bronson Arroyo Declared Free Agency, (team option declined)

Los Angeles Dodgers Joel Peralta Declared Free Agency, (team option declined)

Los Angeles Dodgers Lisalverto Bonilla Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right elbow surgery - out for season)

Milwaukee Brewers Hernan Perez Refused Minor League Assignment - Free Agent

Milwaukee Brewers Hernan Perez Outrighted to Minors

Oakland Athletics Andrew Lambo Acquired Off Waivers From from Pirates, Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Pirates Jung-ho Kang Removed From 60-Day DL, (Torn left MCL - out for season)

Pittsburgh Pirates Brandon Cumpton Outrighted to Minors

Pittsburgh Pirates Brandon Cumpton Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right elbow surgery - out for season)

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Pittsburgh Pirates Andrew Lambo Removed From 60-Day DL, (Plantar fasciitis, left foot)

Pittsburgh Pirates Casey Sadler Outrighted to Minors

Pittsburgh Pirates Casey Sadler Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right elbow discomfort)

San Francisco Giants Juan Perez Outrighted to Minors

San Francisco Giants Nori Aoki Declared Free Agency, (team option declined)

Seattle Mariners JC Ramirez Outrighted to Minors

Seattle Mariners Daniel Robertson Acquired Off Waivers From from Angels, Los Angeles

Tampa Bay Rays Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right elbow surgery - out for season)

Tampa Bay Rays Burch Smith Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right elbow surgery - out for season)

Tampa Bay Rays Jake Elmore Outrighted to Minors

Tampa Bay Rays Jeff Beliveau Refused Minor League Assignment - Free Agent

Tampa Bay Rays Grayson Garvin Removed From 60-Day DL, (Left back muscle tear)

Tampa Bay Rays Jake Elmore Refused Minor League Assignment - Free Agent

Texas Rangers Removed From 60-Day DL, (Left groin strain)

Texas Rangers Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right elbow surgery - out for season)

Texas Rangers Nick Tepesch Removed From 60-Day DL, (Nerve inflammation, right arm)

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