General manager Al Avila has already filled many of the Detroit Tigers' voids and addressed their weaknesses this early in the offseason. Previous rumors speculated they could still add a big ticket free agent, but he shot down that talk last week.
However, is it possible team owner Mike Ilitch makes his presence known and overrules Avila in that regard, or gives him the green light to sign another top player?
The Tigers have not captured a World Series title since 1984. Ilitch purchased the team in 1992 and the 86-year-old has been said to be hungry for a championship. In the past, including this offseason, he said he doesn't care about spending money.
Detroit doesn't necessarily require an upgrade in their outfield, but they could use one (especially in left field). And with Yoenis Cespedes - a former Tiger - and Alex Gordon - perhaps the best defensive left fielder in the MLB - can we really assume the Tigers are done making big moves this early offseason?
"The point stands to be made: With the Tigers' off-season pitching overhaul, they look like an American League Central contender. But with another addition like Cespedes or Gordon, the Tigers would look like a World Series contender," writes Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press.
"It's more of a 'want' than a 'need' at this point - the team is comfortable entering next season with Cameron Maybin, Anthony Gose or Tyler Collins in leftfield - but another big-name acquisition is, and always has been, tied to how much longtime owner Mike Ilitch wants to break the bank in building a title team."
The outfield market is largely undefined at this point, particularly among the remaining top free agents. Jason Heyward signed an eight-year, $184 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, but it was expected for a while he'd sign that type of deal due to his age, elite defense and capable bat.
On the other hand, Cespedes, Gordon and Upton come with some more question marks and it's unknown what teams would be willing to pay them, or where the negotiating will begin.
"It's been so quiet on these guys," Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports said on the Baseball Tonight Podcast. "Some of these guys aren't going to be signing until January. It's amazing, the drop-off with Jason Heyward and everybody else, despite everybody else having much much more power. It never would have been this way five or 10 years ago."
Will the price drop for some of these guys as the offseason progresses? If so, will the Tigers pounce? Even if the prices don't fall, will the Tigers still consider?
Detroit's 2016 payroll is expected to reach $169 million once all their arbitration-eligible are taken care of. Depending on how they handle various contract options and arbitration-eligible players in 2017 and 2018, those payrolls could hit $173 million and $180 million.
Tigers general manager Al Avila told @DSports1051 today that the team's payroll situation would be "pretty ugly" with another big signing.
— anthony fenech (@anthonyfenech) December 17, 2015
Adding another annual $20 million salary wouldn't necessarily be a prudent financial move, but it could be the move that propels the team above and beyond the rest in the AL Central once again. If they can steal Gordon away from the Royals, they'd be adding to their team and subtracting from the World Series champs, which could also be the move that solidifies the fate of the division.
