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After spending $210 million on player salaries this past season, and not making the playoffs, it looks like the Detroit Tigers may be looking to create a younger, cheaper team, the Detroit News reports.
Lynn Henning of the News reports:
By the end of this week, after five days of meetings at Lakeland, Fla., a Tigers front office will have specific people and scenarios in mind as it begins assembling a 2017 team designed to put Detroit back into the playoffs.
Payroll limits will be worked out between Tigers owner Mike Ilitch and general manager Al Avila. But even ahead of a firm number, it is the clear understanding by Tigers brass player salaries will shrink from this year’s nearly $210 million.
Thus, there will be no wild free-agent forays. Rather, trades designed to make the Tigers younger and less expensive are almost sure to evolve.
Henning makes predictions about some players:
■Andrew Romine: Earned $900,000 in 2016. Likely to return.
■Tyler Collins: Earned $511,000 in 2016. Likely to return.
■Jarrod Saltalamacchia: Tigers only paid $507,500 as part of the $8 million the Marlins were still obliged to pay him. His contract is up. Not likely to return.
■Anibal Sanchez: Tigers signed him to a five-year contract worth a minimum of $80 million and a maximum of $91 million. Likely to return.
■Cameron Maybin: He has a $9 million option for 2017. Likely to return.
