Ausmus Says Losses Of Scherzer, Suh 'Disheartening' For Fans
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - As the manager of the Detroit Tigers and a former major league catcher, Brad Ausmus understands the business side of sports. As a fan long before he was a player and manager, however, Ausmus can also see how fans might be upset at the recent departures of starting pitcher Max Scherzer from the Tigers and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh from the Detroit Lions.
"It seems like much more frequently nowadays in sports players leave teams," Ausmus said. "As a fan, that probably is disheartening, especially if you become attached to a player, a guy like Max or a guy like Suh. These are guys, these are impact players that can help their teams win, so it's disheartening when you lose them, but unfortunately that's the landscape."
Scherzer, who won the Cy Young in 2013, declined to re-sign with the Tigers and instead went to free agency. Suh will reportedly go the same route, leaving the Lions for more money. Scherzer ended up with the Washington Nationals, and Suh is expected to sign with the Miami Dolphins.
The Detroit sports landscape could lose another prominent figure soon. The contract of Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock, who is revered as one of the best in the NHL, expires after this season. Babcock shot down talk of an extension in December, saying he did not think doing a deal during the season would be possible.
Despite the departure of Scherzer for a reported seven-year, $210 million deal with the Nationals, Ausmus expressed confidence about the chances of the Tigers being serious contenders in 2015.
"I'm not worried about what people are saying about us," Ausmus said. "I'm more worried about how we perform. I feel like this team is a winning team. This is a team that has an opportunity here, has an opportunity to win the World Series."
The Tigers have won their division in four straight seasons but lost in the first round of the playoffs in 2014.
