NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – When asked about the clubhouse mix now that Miguel Cabrera has retired, Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris made the following observation: “Yes, they’re young with Miggy gone, but they have a chance to turn that into a strength.”
“Throughout my career, I’ve worked with a variety of teams. “Sometimes the young teams are the most fun teams,” Harris said from the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center during baseball’s Winter Meetings. “They bring vitality. They bring willpower. They arrive at the ballpark very early. They bring out the best in veterans. I believe you saw a little of that later [this season].
“We’ll have a young team next year, and I think these guys will bring a lot of energy and be really excited to be in the moment.” Not that veterans aren’t important, but there’s a different kind of energy that comes with young players, and I believe you’ll see that in our clubhouse.”
With recent moves, the only players in their thirties on Detroit’s 40-man roster are shortstop Javier Báez (31), outfielder Mark Canha (34), pitcher Kenta Maeda (35) and infielder Andy Ibaez (30). A few players are in their late twenties, including catcher Carson Kelly, who will turn 30 in July, but the majority of the roster is in their mid-twenties.
This average age could change if more moves are made, most notably the addition of another starting pitcher to add innings and experience. However, if No. 2 prospect Colt Keith (22) and No. 9 prospect Justyn-Henry Malloy (24 in February) make the team out of Spring Training, it could trend even younger.
Under Harris, the Tigers have made it a priority to provide opportunities for young players to not only make the big league roster, but also to make an impact. That’s why Detroit hasn’t done much in the hitting market since acquiring Canha. However, Harris stressed on Tuesday that Keith and Malloy are not guaranteed spots.
“They have to earn their spot,” Harris explained. “The plan is to go to Lakeland, [Florida], and compete for a spot on the roster.” We’re going to have a very competitive camp in Lakeland, which is a good sign for us. There will be a lot of players vying for spots on our Opening Day roster, and I believe it will bring out the best in these players. “I believe that the more competitive a camp is, the better the roster will be, as well as the collection of individual performances.”My hope is that they arrive at camp and make a difficult decision for [manager] A.J. Hinch and [general manager] Jeff [Greenberg].
Tigers hope Turnbull finds a new beginning.
Harris stated after the season that he expected Spencer Turnbull to report to Spring Training next year and compete for a rotation spot. The Tigers did not tender him a month and a half later, making the right-hander a free agent. What changed during that period?
Harris said it wasn’t Turnbull’s request for a full year of service time – and thus the right to decline a Minor League assignment – but a feeling that both sides were ready to move on.
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“I think we got to a point where we realized both sides needed a fresh start,” said Harris. “And so, the tender decision was the mechanism by which we created a fresh start for both sides.”
Tigers wish Meadows the best.
Harris stated at the end of the season that he needed to speak with Austin Meadows, and the two had several conversations leading up to the Tigers’ decision to not tender the outfielder last month.
“We prioritized him as a human being and the work that he’s doing on himself right now,” Harris said of Meadows, who sat out the majority of the season to focus on his mental health. “Austin is aware of my feelings for him. He is aware of how the organization perceives him. We’ll be prepared to have that conversation when he’s ready to talk about what’s next in his baseball career.
I believe Austin and his family are the priority right now. If we can get past that, we can talk about baseball.”
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