Tigers GM Al Avila will meet with manager Brad Ausmus this week to discuss his future with the team, as MLB.com’s Jason Beck explains. Ausmus says the team hasn’t told him whether it plans to exercise his 2017 option, and his answers to questions from reporters Sunday exuded none-too-subtle frustration about not knowing whether he’ll keep his job.
“You might want to ask whoever’s managing next year,” Ausmus responded to a question about how Bruce Rondon will be used in 2017. When asked about the challenges of being an interim manager (like Brian Snitker, whose Braves the Tigers played this weekend), Ausmus said, “I couldn’t answer that. I’ve never been one, although I’ve been kind of an interim manager for like two years.”
Ausmus says he would still like to return next season. “It’s going to be between me and Al,” he says. “If Al thinks he would rather have someone else, I would respect his decision. If Al would like me to do it, I would love to do it. But to speculate over it is a waste of time.”
Avila praised Ausmus in July, and Ausmus did manage an aging roster to an 86-win season, although the Tigers missed the playoffs for the second straight year. In three seasons on the job, Ausmus holds a 250-234 record.
A ton of injuries to key players.
3 very young starters.
86 wins with this team was good, not great. Good.
If not Ausmus, then who?
And little depth, at least in regards to position players is one reason we ended up 2 wins short. Heck, a healthy Zimmerman for the entire season nets us probably 4 wins. That is how close we were
And Ausmus haters will hate this, but he is growing as a manager. He was always considered one of the brightest young talents as far as managers, but he really is now becoming one of the more highly regarded managers in the game, at least among those who actually work in the game. If we let him go, he will have another job quickly.
But the Tigers will not simply pick up his option, nor will Ausmus tolerate just picking up his option, His comments suggest a $h** or get off the pot mentality. If you want me, sign me to an extension, otherwise let me go. And there is no Joe Maddon or Terry Francona out there to hire. Just retreds like Gardenhire who fails to get a managers job 2 years in a row. Maybe Mike Sciocia will be cut loose by the Angels. But is he really any better than Ausmus. Tigers would be wise to keep him and extend him. And unless Mr I throws a tantrum and wants him fired, that is what likely will happen.
If they let him go, the Rays certainly could use him over Kevin Cash.
Of course, he should go. HE didn’t pitch, hit, or defend well enough. Scoff scoff. But, unfortunately, managing sports is an interim job that is judged by the performance of others. It’s great if you’re looking for temporary employment. Again, scoff scoff
I used to be very anti Ausmus, but he has improved this year. While he still leaves pitchers in too long or plays bad players too often, he has gotten better and if provably the best option this team has
Of course he should go. An inexperienced manager with a high-powered team, and he barely makes it over .500 for 3 years running. Enough is enough with this experiment.
He doesn’t hit, throw or pitch, but he’s awful at bullpen management, can’t strategize with guys like Maddon, Francona, etc. and has absolutely no fire to inspire his team.
This says it all: “the Tigers missed the playoffs for the second straight year. In three seasons on the job, Ausmus holds a 250-234 record”. Mediocre is not good enough.
If he gets let go, braves need him!
Aging roster? Yes, a couple of the stars are getting older, but overall, it’s a pretty young team.
As to keeping Ausmus, what available manager would be a better fit? I would love someone better, but I just don’t see that person out there. If he could learn to have his relievers get up and be ready when he actually needs to bring them in, I would have few complaints.
If anyone is at fault, look to the GM. He signed Zimmerman, who spent half the year on the DL. He signed Upton, rather than Cespedes, and got a no show for 2/3 of the season. He traded for Maybin, who spent his usual 1/3 of the season on the DL. He signed Mike Aviles, but decided there was no room for Rajai Davis, leaving the team with no speed (Cleveland thanks him). He signed Pelfrey, who made every opposing batter look like Miggy. He signed Saltalamachia, who showed it was possible to play a full year with Cabrera and Victor, and not improve at the plate. OK, I will give him credit for acquiring K-Rod, who did a fine job. But then he did sign Mark Lowe, enough said.
Dave Dombrowski provided the Tigers with Fullmer, Norris, and Boyd. Time for Avila to earn his keep.
I agree, but Maybin had a stellar year when healthy
I agree that Avila takes much of the blame. He is not a Moore, Epstein or Dombrowski. With Chris Illitch about to take the helm, the ownership will be looking to cut the losses of Illitch Holdings. Doesn’t look good for the forseeable future for the Tigers.
If anybody needs to be let go, let it be Joyner. Offense was grossly inconsistent and unpredictable all year long, and came to a head when they couldn’t hit a guy with an 8 ERA to save their season. I’d rather him go first than Ausmus, frankly.
Manny Acta may have a low career track record as an MLB manager, but the more important thing is he is smart at advanced analytics, including sabermetrics, is willing to comprehend everything that goes on, especially high-leverage situations, has a sense of urgency, has firepower, and can put the team together!