GM Meetings notes: Tigers seek pitching, lefty bats

Full disclosure: I’m not at the GM Meetings in Orlando this week, but my MLB.com colleague Mark Bowman was kind enough to sit in for me at Al Avila’s media session Monday afternoon. I wrote earlier in the day about the decisions Avila faces over which prospects to protect on the 40-man roster, which he lamented to reporters. He also talked a bit about trade talks involving Ian Kinsler, though he didn’t give many details.

So with the Tigers trying not to lose prospects, and Ian Kinsler potentially on his way out, will the Tigers make any additions this offseason? The answer, though on a smaller scale, is yes, with pitching topping the list.

“We want to field a competitive team while we build,” Avila said. “You still try to put together the best roster you can at the Major League level.”

Detroit has reportedly signed Mark Montgomery to a minor-league contract with a non-roster invite. Expect them to do more on the pitching end, though maybe nothing significant until later this offseason.

“We definitely need some pitching help,” Avila said. “I mean, right now, barring any changes, you have [Jordan] Zimmermann coming back, he’s obviously working on his neck issues, [Michael] Fulmer coming back from neck surgery. We expect both guys to be healthy. Then you have Daniel Norris and you have Matt Boyd. You have four guys right there, and you would hope that they’re healthy and produce for you.”

As for the remaining spot in the Tigers rotation, it sounds like the Tigers are setting up an open competition, with pitchers who finished out the season on the team (Buck Farmer, Chad Bell) and pitchers they bring in.

“Ideally, we’d probably add a couple of starters,” Avila said, “but if you talk to the other 29 clubs here, they’re all looking for starting pitching. If you talk to the other 29 clubs here, they’re all looking for bullpen help. Every single one of them. It’s one of those things where pitching is hard to get, so when you get the good ones, you have to keep them.”

On the position side, the Tigers’ needs might depend on whether they trade anybody. Shipping Kinsler or Jose Iglesias elsewhere would open a starting spot for Dixon Machado, but it would also leave a void for a utility player. Beyond that, they’re also thin in the outfield ranks, with just three outfielders on their 40-man roster (Mike Gerber will make it four if he’s added to the roster as expected).

A left-handed hitter would be welcome in any of those spots.

“We’re very right-handed, so left-handed anything — infield and outfield — would be very handy for us as far as somebody that could help at the Major League level in 2018,” Avila said. “No doubt about that.”

Other notes:

• Miguel Cabrera continues to strengthen his back in his core workouts and is expected to be in good shape for Spring Training. “He actually started his routine right after the season was over,” Avila said, “and he’s working on his core muscle, and it’s a whole different workout program than he had before. It’s basically geared towards strengthening that back and the vertebrae. Right now, in talking to him, he is probably going to be stronger than ever.”
• Avila expects Victor Martinez to be medically ready for Spring Training, and said he has been given no reason to think otherwise. “I have no issue with Victor as far as him coming in and playing,” he said. “I fully expect him to come in in good shape and ready to perform. I don’t think there’s going to be any setback with Victor at this point.”
• Avila acknowledged the Tigers do not have insurance on Martinez’s contract if he’s unable to play due to injury. The only way they wouldn’t be on the hook for his $18 million salary next year would be if he’s traded or retired, neither of which are going to happen. “If you retire, you forfeit the money,” Avila said. “I don’t expect him to retire.”
• Avila acknowledged a Monday report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale that the Tigers will end up paying luxury tax again this year despite the salaries they shedded with late-season trades. This should be the last of their luxury-tax bills for a while. “I think you’ll see us pretty lean and mean,” he said.