Detroit Tigers will enter the 2018 MLB season with a new manager. The team’s GM Al Avila announced on Friday that Tigers won’t offer a new contract to their current manager Brad Asmus. Tigers are entering rebuilding mode, trading away their star players (Justin Verlander, Justin Upton, and J.D. Martinez) and are in search for a new face to lead them through the process. The news was confirmed on the team’s official site and Twitter profile.
The #Tigers announced today that the contract of manager Brad Ausmus will not be extended beyond the 2017 season ➡️ https://t.co/SCIBxK07pN pic.twitter.com/n5xTlznNCi
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) September 22, 2017
“As we transition the ballclub in a new direction, I feel it’s best we have a new approach and a fresh start with the manager position,” said Al Avila in his statement. “Brad has done an admirable job under, at times, difficult circumstances, especially this season, and we appreciate his professionalism and dedication to the Tigers the past four years. Our search for a new manager is underway. We plan to keep an open-mind in considering current members of the coaching staff for positions in 2018, but that will be in conjunction with the manager we hire.“
Brad Asmus was appointed to the managerial position in 2014 after Jim Leyland stepped down. During his 4 years in charge, Asmus won AL Central title in his first season which turned out to be the last time Tigers made the postseason. His current record is 312 wins and 325 lose.
“Al and I have become very good friends over the four years I was here, so it was a little emotional when he told me he wasn’t going to bring me back,” Ausmus said. “Quite frankly, I told him I fully understood, and I told him if he had walked in and offered me a contract, I probably wouldn’t have come back because I think this team, this organization is starting over. They need a new voice.“
Detroit Tigers now find themselves in the 4th position in AL Central with a 62-91 record. They are scheduled to play against Minnesota Twins on Friday night.
