Tigers want to win for big-spending owner Mike Illitch

Alec Brzezinski

Tigers want to win for big-spending owner Mike Illitch image

The Detroit Tigers have made a number of improvements to their AL Central-worst roster this offseason, and one player, Victor Martinez, is grateful to owner Mike Ilitch for allowing it to happen.

"We have to be so proud and honored to have the owner we have," Martinez said via MLive.com. "We all owe Mr. Ilitch a trophy, a ring. There's nobody in the whole city — nobody — that deserves it more than he does. What he's been doing year after year and year after year and people talking, 'oh, time is running out on this team,' and 'the window is closing,' and this and that. He keeps helping it. He keeps the hopes of the fans alive. As a player, what else can I ask for?"

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There were a lot of questions among Detroit fans regarding new general manager Al Avila and what his philosophy would be. After Dave Dombrowski sold half the roster before the July 31 trade deadline, Tigers fans knew the team needed an overhaul. But was Avila going to be the right guy for the job?

So for, it appears he is. Avila has made a number of moves this offseason to improve the Tigers. Trades for closer Francisco Rodriguez, center fielder Cameron Maybin and reliever Justin Wilson helped address big holes. But the two big moves may have put the Tigers back on the map.

The first colossal addition was signing free agent starter Jordan Zimmermann, who would be a No. 2 starter on almost any team. However, Avila wasn't done. The new GM made an even bigger signing Wednesday when the team announced the addition of left fielder Justin Upton.

Upton will now enter a lineup already comprised of Ian Kinsler, Miguel Cabrera, J.D. Martinez and Victor Martinez. Speedsters Maybin, Anthony Gose and Jose Iglesias are also formidable at the plate.

The Tigers, like every team in MLB, still have questions and health concerns ahead of the 2016 season, but Detroit is abuzz with excitement as spring training nears.

 

 

Alec Brzezinski