Tigers manager Brad Ausmus reportedly will not see the final season of his three-year contract despite leading the team to a division title in his first year.
Tigers owner Mike Ilitch intends to fire Ausmus after this season ends, sources told the Detroit Free Press late Thursday, capping a disappointing season for a club expected to be a serious American League contender.
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Ausmus told the Detroit News early Friday via text that he has not aware of such a decision.
"I haven’t been told anything," he said.
According to the Free Press, Ilitch planned to fire Ausmus much earlier this season, but former president and general manager Dave Dombrowski was against the move. Ilitch surprised many when he fired Dombrowski in early August. Al Avila, Dombrowski's top assistant, took over in his stead.
A report by WDIV-TV in Detroit said former Twins manager Ron Gardenhire is a candidate to replace Ausmus if he's fired.
Currently last in the AL Central with a 64-76 record, the Tigers dealt stars Yoenis Cespedes, David Price and Joakim Soria at the trade deadline, evidence of their attempt to rebuild on the fly and regain their status as an AL power quickly. Injuries to Miguel Cabrera, Jose Iglesias, Joe Nathan, Justin Verlander and Victor Martinez set the Tigers back earlier this season, and were largely to blame for costing them a fifth consecutive division title.
Ausmus, who was hired with no previous managerial experience, is 154-148 (.510) as the Tigers' skipper.