Brad Ausmus has rightfully received plenty of criticism for the Tigers’ play in 2015. The team has gone from worst to first in the AL Central, and Ausmus has been in the crosshairs for his on-field decisions.
But Tigers fans hoping for him to be the scapegoat got a rude awakening on Saturday when GM Al Avila announced Ausmus would be retained as manager for the 2016 season.
Executive VP of Baseball Operations & General Manager Al Avila announced Brad Ausmus will continue as Tigers Manager. pic.twitter.com/YWexjZ6FfH
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) September 26, 2015
Avila’s rationalization of the move contained a lot of executive speak without really going into specifics.
Club statement from #Tigers Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Al Avila: pic.twitter.com/iXQbTGNb4F
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) September 26, 2015
There are really two ways, and only two ways, things can go for the Tigers next year.
-The club’s veterans play like they have in the past and stay healthy. Justin Verlander’s second half performance has to be encouraging for the Tigers.
-What happened this year happens again, as guys like Verlander, Miguel Cabrera, and Anibal Sanchez continue to struggle and miss time.
If the former happens, Avila will look like a genius for retaining Ausmus, and 2015 will be forgotten.
If the latter happens, Ausmus will be fired and the Tigers will need to consider a more thorough rebuild.
Considering that the Royals and Indians aren’t going anywhere and the Twins are still contending for a playoff spot with their young team, seeing this Tigers team succeed in 2016 is difficult to imagine.
