The Detroit Tigers fired longtime general manager Al Avila on Wednesday as the team struggled mightily in a year in which it guaranteed nearly a quarter-billion dollars in free agency to bolster its efforts to contend.
Avila, 64, had spent more than two decades with the organization, including the past seven years as general manager after first serving as assistant GM.
Born in Cuba, he was the only GM of Latin American descent in Major League Baseball, a sport whose player population is nearly 30% Latin American, and one of just three people of color leading a front office, alongside San Francisco’s Farhan Zaidi and Miami’s Kim Ng.
During Avila’s tenure, the Tigers finished in last place in the American League Central Division four times and currently occupy the basement with a 43-68 record and a -122 run differential, both third-worst in the majors.
“To Tigers fans, you’re the best and you deserve a winner,” Avila said in a statement released by the team. “I wish the results could have been better this season but know there is a lot to look forward to in the coming years.”
Detroit had hoped the promotion of top prospects Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene, the emergence of young pitchers Casey Mize, Matt Manning and Tarik Skubal and the signings of shortstop Javier Baez and starter Eduardo Rodriguez would push them toward contending for the first time since a run of four consecutive playoff seasons from 2011 to 2014.
Instead, the Tigers have been among the game’s most disappointing teams.
Torkelson is back in the minor leagues after struggling for the season’s first three months. Mize will miss the rest of the season following Tommy John surgery, Manning has thrown just 20 innings because of injuries, and Skubal is on the injured list. Baez is having the worst offensive season of his nine-year major league career and has five…
Source : espn
