Tigers GM Avila Isn't Happy With Team's Results: 'We're Very Disappointed, We're Angry'
DETROIT (CBS DETROIT) -- Anyone who thinks Detroit Tigers fans are the only ones upset with the team's lackluster start to the 2016 season hasn't spoken to the men in charge.
The front office and team ownership know that the team is underperforming, and they're not happy about it.
"We're all very disappointed," general manager Al Avila told reporters Monday. "We were expecting much better and right now we're working very hard to turn this around. Definitely at this point we're not where we want to be. Everybody is pretty angry -- we are. We expect better and that's what our focus is."
Most of the chatter lately has surrounded the job status of manager Brad Ausmus, but Avila said that he isn't focused on making any changes to the staff right now.
"We haven't approached that topic at this point," Avila said. "Our main focus right now is to try to get this team going in the right direction."
Ausmus said before Monday's game against the Minnesota Twins that he knows he's on the hot seat, something Avila disagrees with.
"I actually talked to him about that, I'm like 'why would you say that? You have no reason to even have to comment on that,'" Avila said. "He said what he said and we'll move on from it. Right now the focus is in turning this team around and trying to get it better."
Avila insisted that changing managers isn't what he's focused on -- he's more focused on getting his fourth-place team out of the doldrums and into the playoff picture.
"We're very disappointed, we're angry, this is not where we want to be," Avila said. "Either we get it better and we get it going or we don't. But right now, I'm not focused on the frenzy of what are you going to do with the manager, I'm focused on I have to stay calm and say 'what can we do to get this team better?'"
If a managerial change is made, Avila said that he would discuss it with owner Mike Ilitch, but that decision rests with him alone.
"At the end of the day, when decisions are going to be made -- whether it be personnel on the field, player-wise or the manager and the staff -- we work on it together." Avila said. "At the end of the day though, it's my decision."
For now, Ausmus has the support of his boss.
"Right now he is our manager and I do back him because right now that's what we're trying to do -- we're trying to win," Avila said.
