Detroit Tigers Links: Pricy rotation, future of Andy Dirks, Tiger Stadium development

Max Scherzer made it clear he wanted to stay in Detroit after the end of the Tigers’ season on Sunday evening–but of course we expected him to say that. Max turned down a $144 million deal in Spring Training and with another good year in 2014, it appears he will make quite a bit more than that while hitting the open market. If the Tigers want to sign him, Max and his agent, Scott Boras, are most certainly not going to grant a hometown discount. So if Detroit backs the truck up to Scherzer, how will it look on the books? Chris Iott explains.

Next we will take a look at the ever-excellent Brad Faber’s take on the forgotten Tiger of 2014, Andy Dirks. Having surgery in Spring Training, Dirks went through multiple rehabs in the minor leagues but never could get well enough to join the team. Even if Torii Hunter retires or moves on, the Tigers 2015 outfield is extremely crowded. Will Dirks fit in?

Finally, we will look at yet another plan for the old Tiger Stadium site.

Price tag for Detroit Tigers to keep rotation intact would be more than $100 million for 2015 season – Chris Iott, MLive

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"Scherzer already turned down a deal that would have paid him $24 million a season. In this scenario, anything north of $25.2 million for 2015 would push the Tigers past the $100 million mark. Of course, that would not include the other 20 players on the roster. That would simply be the money they would have invested in five starting pitchers.It seems extremely unlikely that the Tigers would commit this type of money to the rotation. The best bet is that Scherzer will sign elsewhere and the Tigers will fill his spot in the rotation with a less expensive option — possibly a much less expensive option. It hasn’t been that many years since the Tigers held an open competition during spring training to find a fifth starter."

Uncertain Future Awaits Detroit Tigers’ Andy Dirks – Brad Faber, Rant Sports

"Given the fact that Dirks only posted a .256 batting average with a .686 OPS in 2013, many will likely look back and consider his absence from the 2014 Tigers to be far less significant than the losses of shortstop Jose Iglesias and flame-throwing setup man Bruce Rondon, both of whom also missed the entire 2014 campaign. The fact that the Tigers were able to capture lightning in a bottle with J.D. Martinez more than cushioned the blow of losing Dirks as well.At this particular point in time, it is simply difficult to predict what the future has in store for Dirks. If one had to make an educated guess, however, the signs may point to the Tigers using him as a part-time outfielder, a role that was envisioned for him before he was sidelined this season."

New plan for old Tiger Stadium site in Detroit – Jeff Vaughn, WXYZ.com

"One proposal for the 10 acre lot along Michigan Avenue contains a plan for new businesses and store fronts, and along Trumbull Avenue would be apartments and condos with parking.The mixed-use of commercial and residential is welcome as part of the re-development of the corner, but everybody wants the heart of old Tiger Stadium to stay."