Zimmermann is one of the few players to whom the Tigers have significant money committedgetty images
The Tigers have missed the postseason the last four years, and Exec VP/Baseball Operations & GM Al Avila has been "wildly frank with the media and the fans about the ballclub's deep dive into rebuilding," according to Tony Paul of the DETROIT NEWS. Avila said, "The only reason I'm being honest is, because, well, how do you hide this." The Tigers are wrapping up their second offseason of the complete rebuild, as evidenced by the "lack of big free-agent signings." Avila: "Is 2021 the time to, OK, start spending some money? I don't know. I do know that we will have some money by 2021 to start going out there. I've talked to [Tigers President & CEO] Chris Ilitch and I know that whether it be 2021, 2022, at that point, we will be at a place from a payroll perspective where I want to be at, where I'm comfortable where financially I know we're in a good place" (DETROIT NEWS, 1/25). In Detroit, Jeff Seidel notes Tigers P Jordan Zimmermann will earn $25M for each of the next two seasons. When his contract comes off the books, the Tigers will be in a "much better position to start spending." Around that time, the Tigers "should have a solid group of young prospects playing in the majors and the flexibility to bring in free agents to fill the holes." Seidel: "At least, that’s the plan" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 1/25).
