The Detroit Tigers underwent an organizational shake-up earlier this year by ousting former president and general manager Dave Dombrowski, and it appears that more changes could be on the horizon with manager Brad Ausmus on the hot seat.
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Ausmus Not Expected Back in 2016
Friday, September 11
Citing a front office source, WDIV-TV Local 4 News' Bernie Smilovitz (via ClickonDetroit.com) reported that Ausmus will be fired at the end of the 2015 season.
"The source said new general manager Al Avila wants to bring in his own manager for a fresh start," ClickOnDetroit.com noted. "Owner Mike Ilitch reportedly wants to bring a championship to Detroit but doesn't feel Ausmus is the guy to do it. Ilitch is reportedly unhappy about miscommunication with the players and strategic mistakes on the field."
“I haven’t been told anything,” said Ausmus, per the Detroit News' Chris McCosky.
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports noted the team could target former Twins manager Ron Gardenhire or former Cubs manager Rick Renteria.
A year after Ausmus led the Tigers to 90 wins and an American League Central Division title, Detroit has floundered in the division's cellar. Following Thursday night's loss to the Cleveland Indians, the Tigers are 64-76—good for the second-worst record in the AL.
But despite the hiccup, Bleacher Report's Scott Miller believes Ausmus could thrive with a new franchise:
Still in only his second year as a manager, the 46-year-old Ausmus has plenty of room to grow as a leader on the bench.
After he led Detroit to a successful 2014 campaign that resulted in a playoff berth, teams in need of a rising star would be wise to target the former All-Star catcher if he hits the open market.
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