I can't say I'm surprised with any of the early off-season moves. Saying farewell to Maggs is bitter-sweet...sad to see him go, but he's no longer the same player; happy to see Brad "Meathead" Penny packing his bags; sad to see that Zumaya probably won't be earning another major league paycheck.
Source
In a nearly hourlong session with the local media this afternoon, Detroit Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski gave these reports on past, present and perhaps future Tigers:
• Rightfielder Magglio Ordoñez and second baseman Carlos Guillen: It is “very unlikely” the Tigers will try to re-sign either. Both are free agents.
• Joel Zumaya: The oft-injured reliever becomes a free agent this week. If he comes to spring training with the Tigers in February, it likely will be on a minor league deal, Dombrowski said.
• Jose Reyes: Without mentioning his name, Dombrowski in effect ruled out the Tigers pursuing the free-agent shortstop. One reason: the Tigers have their two $20-million players -- Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander -- and Dombrowski doesn’t see a third. It’s not hard to imagine the bidding for Reyes going to $20 million per year.
• Delmon Young: Dombrowski sees him returning to leftfield on a one-year deal. Young is eligible for salary arbitration this off-season and for free agency after next season. Dombrowski said he doesn’t anticipate trying to sign Young to a multiyear deal this off-season. The club wants to see more of Young, who joined the Tigers for the final 1 1/2 months of the regular season.
• Victor Martinez: He will be the full-time designated hitter to cut down on the risk of injury. The Tigers will seek a right-handed-hitting catcher to serve as Alex Avila's backup.
• Brandon Inge: Dombrowski sees him on the club next season, the final year of his contract. Inge’s role is to be determined.
• Ramon Santiago: Dombrowski said the Tigers would like to have the veteran utility man back, though the club doesn’t see him as the full-time second baseman. Santiago is a free agent.
• The Tigers continue to have an opening at second base. Dombrowski stopped short of saying the Tigers “need” to acquire one, but he indicated the position is the No. 1 off-season priority. He also said the club is open to acquiring a third baseman, but he expressed confidence that Inge and Don Kelly could platoon there.
• Brad Penny: The free-agent right-hander isn’t expected back.
• Jacob Turner: He’s a candidate for the spot in the rotation that opens with Penny’s departure. But Dombrowski didn’t hand him the job.
• Phil Coke: He’s the No. 1 left-handed reliever. No more experiments as a starter.