Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch says that the club will bring back both manager Jim Leyland and GM Dave Dombrowski in 2011, according to Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press. After finishing the first half of the season ten games above .500, Detroit has gone 5-18 since that point and fallen nine games back of the division-leading White Sox.
Even though he is disappointed with the club's recent play, Ilitch says that he has faith in what the team can do starting next season.
“[This season] is very disappointing, “ the owner said, “[but] I’m staying with Dave and I’m staying with our manager. I feel that we’re going to move forward.”
Ilitch also admitted that he has been reckless in the past when signing off on large contract commitments. However, as noted earlier, he still vows to spend in the offseason with as much as $60MM coming off of the books. Detroit gained extra payroll flexibility when Magglio Ordonez suffered an ankle injury which will prevent his $15MM option from vesting.
