Detroit Tigers to Bring Back Manager Brad Ausmus
By Nick Fustor
Despite a disappointing finish to the season, the Detroit Tigers exercised manager Brad Ausmus‘ option on his contract for 2017.
After failing to make the playoffs for a second straight year, there was much speculation that the Detroit Tigers would move on from manager Brad Ausmus. Instead, the team’s turnaround this season from a last place finish in 2015 seems to have given Ausmus security for at least another half season.
Tensions seemed to boil over few days ago, when a frustrated Ausmus told reporters to “ask whoever’s managing next year” after he was asked about how the team plans to use Bruce Rondon next season.
Those tensions seemed to have been worked out, as ESPN reported that Ausmus will return for his fourth season with the team. The Tigers are 250-234 since he took over for Jim Leyland as manager in 2014.
Ausmus looked life a surefire candidate to continue the success of the team under Leyland, who led Detroit to three straight division titles and three straight American League Championship appearances before stepping down. In Ausmus’ first two seasons leading Detroit, it seemed as if the Tigers reign of success wasn’t stopping soon.
Despite being swept in the American League Division Series in Ausmus’ first season, the team’s 90-72 record was an indication that he had a clear direction for the team.
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Just one season later, the team collapsed. Injuries piled up, tensions swelled and nothing went right as the Tigers stumbled to a 74-87 record, good for last in the AL Central. The Tigers hadn’t finished in last place since 2003.
After the team’s struggles, it was a very real possibility that general manager Al Avila would fire Ausmus – but he didn’t – and instead blamed the struggles on injuries. This season, the team showed vast improvements across the field.
But as the season went on, injuries once again had an impact on Detroit – which resulted in an 86-75 record, an eight game divisional deficit and a 2.5 game deficit in the Wild Card race. While the team failed to make the playoffs, Ausmus led the resurgence of Justin Verlander, the emergence of Michael Fulmer and helped Justin Upton overcome an atrocious start to the season.
Meanwhile, Ausmus led the continued improvements of Nick Castellanos and J.D. Martinez, who now look like core members of the Tigers roster.
For all his solid work with the lineup, Ausmus and Detroit’s coaching staff stood by most of the season as the pitching rotation fell apart. While Verlander and Fulmer shined, Jordan Zimmermann collapsed after a solid start, Anibal Sanchez failed to improve after a rough 2015, and a rotating cast and crew of minor leaguers filled the rest of the rotation.
Next: Who Will be in the Tigers 2017 Rotation?
If Detroit hopes to improve next season, they’ll need to find a third reliable starter – or stock up on depth so injuries don’t decimate the back-end of the rotation again.
With a relatively solid season, Detroit looks well positioned as they head into the offseason and look to attract free agents or players via trade. But if Ausmus hopes to stay with the team for the long-run, he’ll need to find a way to make all of Detroit’s talent mesh at once.