Avila Talks Zimmermann's Tommy John Surgery, Bruce Rondon And Mike Ilitch
By Ashley Scoby
@AshleyScoby
With the Tigers' signing of $100-million pitcher Jordan Zimmermann Monday, the expectations are immediately higher for the team heading into the 2016 season.
But that pressure to perform is the way that general manager and vice president of baseball operations Al Avila wants it. It certainly helps when he has the backing of an owner, Mike Ilitch, who is more willing to spend money than nearly any other owner in baseball.
"You have to look at it is opportunity," Avila said of the increased expectations that come along with an increased payroll, speaking on the Valenti and Foster show. "Obviously it's a great opportunity to work for an owner like Mike Ilitch who gives you the best resources and backing to be able to do the things you as an organization feel you need to do to put the best product on the field. That's what we're doing and we're lucky to work for that owner."
Signing Zimmermann to a $100 million contract has been debated in the past 48 hours, namely because of Zimmermann's medical history (he had Tommy John surgery in 2009) and his decreased velocity.
Zimmermann is the first pitcher to sign a $100 million deal after having the infamous reconstructive elbow surgery. Previous reports have pointed to worries about the elbow as a reason for why Zimmermann would be departing the Nationals.
"The Tommy John surgeries, they last anywhere between eight and 12 years, ten being the average," Avila said. "You just have to have the confidence that the guy you're getting is gonna be durable. … When you're signing a guy like this, you're going to take in some degree of risk. But if you're not willing to take on the risk, you're not going to sign anybody."
Much further down the Tigers' pitching rotation is Bruce Rondon, who was sent home towards the end of the 2015 season for "effort" reasons. But Avila said that Rondon is still very much in a position to earn a spot on the 40-man roster, come spring training.
"If things work out the way it should for a guy with that much talent, he certainly will be in the mix and be an important part of the Detroit Tigers' bullpen," Avila said. "We're still trying to put the best team on the field this winter and do all the acquisitions we feel we need to do without him. If he does come through, it'll be almost like adding a free agent at this point."
Until a decision on Rondon is reached, however, the Tigers will continue to go after pitchers from elsewhere. Avila said at Zimmermann's press conference that the club still wanted to sign one more starter, as well as one or two relievers.
Ilitch has never been shy about spending money, and that philosophy will guide the rest of the Tigers' offseason.
"All I can tell you is we're going to do the best we can to put the best team on the field," Avila said of the prospect of where the money to sign future prospects will come from. "And at the end of the day, you all can figure it out."
