David Dombrowski just met with members of the Detroit media and made it clear that the club will not offer contracts to outfielder Delmon Young and closer Jose Valverde (97.1 FM The Ticket).
Delmon Young was the Tigers’ best performer in the postseason but struggled with his consistency at the plate during the regular season. This year with Detroit, Young put up a slash-line of .267/.296/.411 with 18 home runs and 74 RBI.
Jose Valverde, after completing a perfect 2011 season of 49 for 49 in saves, struggled to maintain late leads for the Tigers throughout the regular season, and self-destructed during the 2012 playoffs. Valverde put up a 3.78 ERA over 69 innings pitched this year, with 35 saves and 5 blown saves. He also blew two saves in the 2012 playoffs, and ended the postseason with an ERA of 54.00.
Dombrowski: #Tigers will not pursue Valverde. Could stay with bullpen by committee next year with Benoit, Coke, Dotel, even maybe Rondon.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) October 30, 2012
The Tigers will likely use some of the extra money to retain RHP Anibal Sanchez who will demand a higher salary due to this year’s market.
It was announced this morning that the Tigers will indeed exercise their club options on shortstop Jhonny Peralta ($6MM), and reliever Octravio Dotel ($3.5MM).
At this point, the Tigers are expected to pursue a corner outfielder, as Dombrowski made clear to the media this morning that he’s not sure Andy Dirks is ready for everyday work.
Dombrowski: “Dirks is a good player. Is he an everyday player at this point? I don’t know. He might be.”
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) October 30, 2012
By not exercising the options of Valverde and Young, the Tigers will shave a decent sum from their ledger, leaving room for them to look for a corner outfielder.
For more transactions, be sure to visit our Cold-Stove Tracker.
Stats courtesy of MLBTradeRumors.com
