Detroit Tigers release general manager Dave Dombrowski; possibility he joins

In a statement, owner Mike Illitch said that Assistant GM Al Avila has been elevated after Dombrowski, whose contract was to expire at the end of the current season, was allowed to leave to pursue “other career opportunities”, with various teams expected to vie for his services.

The thing that makes you wonder about Dave Dombrowski’s sudden departure from the Detroit Tigers is that smart, savvy and successful executives like him don’t abruptly leave coveted, high-paying jobs mid-season unless there’s a really good reason. That last series Kansas City won two of three after dropping the opener, the Royals did lead that game also before losing. Unfortunately, Toronto were unable to match the team payroll and title being offered by the Tigers.

Dombrowski spoke with reporters last week and may have alluded to possibly remaining with the Tigers after the season. The day before, David Price left, and now Dombrowski is gone, too. He became general manager the following April. After finishing with one of the worst records in baseball history in 2003, Dombrowski brought in free agents such as Pudge Rodriguez and Magglio Ordonez while also making blockbuster trades to acquire players such as Miguel Cabrera, Austin Jackson, and Max Scherzer.

At times, Dombrowski’s Tigers came seemingly out of nowhere to make big moves, such as signing Prince Fielder in 2012 or trading for Price at last year’s deadline. Detroit won the past four AL Central titles, marking the first time the Tigers (who started playing in 1901) made the postseason four years in a row.

“I’ve been with Dave since the beginning of my career”, Verlander said. “He’s done a fantastic job for this organization”.

One can only imagine how drastically different the 2016 Mariners would look if they were headed by Dombrowski instead of Jack Z. Keep this team in Z’s hands and he’s liable to trade, I don’t know, Seth Smith and prospects for a bundle of fifteen Dayan Viciedo clones. Detroit DH Victor Martinez is 2-for-25 over his last six contests.3.

But just like Pat Gillick, the most recent general manager to go to the Hall of Fame, Dombrowski has a knack for taking over teams and turning them into winners. In addition their organization is going through some changes with a front office shake-up. It appears the Detroit Tigers will continue to platoon James McCann and Alex Avila behind the plate even though McCann has proven himself as the much better option.

“Obviously, Dave was the general manager, so he made the final decision on all of those deals”, he said.

The teams play the second of their three-game series Wednesday afternoon, with both teams pitching deadline acquisitions.

“I’m very excited for this opportunity, and honored and grateful to Mr. Ilitch for having the faith and trust in me to run the ballclub in our continuing pursuit of a World Series championship”, said Avila. “We’ll see what happens at the end of the year”. “We’re not going to be in cost-cutting mode”.