Detroit Tigers Links: Still seeking lefty reliever, Avila gone now or later, improving D

Set down your coffee and turkey-laden omelette and get pumped for the return of morning links!

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We here at Motor City Bengals trust you all had a good holiday weekend and have had your fill of turkey and turkey-related leftovers. No news to report on the Tigers this weekend. Billy Beane and the A’s made a crazy trade with the Blue Jays and the Yankees reportedly had their sites on Max Scherzer (that report turned out to be made up), but not much baseball news transpired over the long weekend.

Nonetheless, we press on and look at how even though the Tigers have been quiet and have reportedly shut the door on Andrew Miller, it doesn’t mean they’ve given up completely on remolding this team as Anthony Fenech explores.

Everyone’s favorite curmudgeon Lynn Henning says the team is preparing itself to move on from the Alex Avila era after this year. Which is not surprising considering they are trying to trade him before he hits his final season prior to free agency. Its clear Avila is NOT the Tigers’ catcher of the future. Whether he is here in 2015 is irrelevant.

One of the two weak areas for the team in 2014 is sure to improve in 2015. And no, we’re not talking about the bullpen. Allow Brad Faber to explain.

Tigers’ top pursuit could be for left-handed reliever – Anthony Fenech, Detroit Free Press

"There has been a big signing — Martinez, for $68 million over four years; a small signing — righty reliever Joel Hanrahan, on a minor league deal; a small trade — acquiring centerfielder Anthony Gose for top prospect Devon Travis; and a lot of rumblings about the future of free-agent starting pitcher Max Scherzer with the Tigers.They could, as Dombrowski mentioned, transition one of their young lefty starters — Kyle Lobstein, Robbie Ray or Kyle Ryan — into the bullpen or throw a fresh face like Joe Mantiply, who pitched solidly in the Arizona Fall League, into the fire."

Tigers set to play without Avila in 2016 – Lynn Henning, Detroit News

"Avila’s departure is easily assumed for reasons that might or might not apply a year from now.If the Tigers wish to keep him and not sign him to a long-term extension, they need to cough up one of those friendly qualifying offers for 2016, which will probably be a bit north of the $15.3 million now required (the figure is based on an average of the top 125 big-league salaries)."

Return of Jose Iglesias Could Give Detroit Tigers Airtight Defensive Infield – Brad Faber, Rant Sports

"While the right side of the Tigers’ infield was stronger than the left side in 2014, it could be better balanced and possibly airtight in 2015 if Castellanos plays a better third base and Iglesias returns and flashes the type of leather he did in 2013."