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Detroit Tigers: The future of team and Dave Dombrowski at midway point

By Matt Pelc

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The Detroit Tigers finished the first half of their season at a disappointing mark of .500, well behind the Kansas City Royals and 3.5 games behind the surprising second-place Minnesota Twins. They are now only two games in front of the AL Central cellar-dwellers Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox.

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On the final day of the first half, Dave Dombrowski met with the media for a rare in-season discussion about the disappointing first half of his team, and how the team still expects to compete–meaning they will be looking to be buyers and not sellers later this month.

We have talked a lot about all the free agents the Detroit Tigers have this coming off-season, but another one of those free agents is Dombrowski himself. He does not have a contract beyond this year, which seems rare for Mike Ilitch to not have protections in place beyond this year.

This has gotten many to think perhaps D.D. is ready for a new challenge after this year. Remember, there were rumblings that Dombrowski was being groomed for the next commissioner of baseball, but that never really materialized when Rob Manfred got the gig last year. Teams with holes in the GM ranks are chomping at the bit to get ahold of one of the most respected GM’s in the game.

Remember when we used to say, “In Dombrowski we trust?” Ever since the Doug Fister deal fans have not said this much, but if the Tigers are indeed buyers this year, he still might be able to pull a rabbit out of a hat after all.

Dave Dombrowski ‘not particularly pleased’ with first half; says Detroit Tigers still have shot – Chris Iott, MLive

"“We have been very inconsistent through the first half,” Dombrowski said. “We haven’t really been on a roll since the beginning of the season. Not particularly pleased with where we are, but we’re also in a position where if we play to our capabilities in the second half, we have a chance to win still.”“When you look at the overall parts of this team, you’re leading the league in hitting from a batting average and on-base percentage perspective by quite a few points,” Dombrowski said. “We’ve scored more runs lately. Early in the season I would have said our lack of scoring runs was a surprise, but we have scored more lately.”"

Report: Blue Jays, Angels could pursue Dombrowski – Brian Manzullo, Detroit Free Press

"“Dombrowski has ties to Canada, having served as general manager of the Montreal Expos early in his career,” Morosi wrote today. “He also interviewed for the Blue Jays’ GM vacancy in the fall of 2001 before accepting the job as Tigers president. Now that Rogers Communications Inc. –€” which owns the Blue Jays –€” has hired Rick Brace as the new president of its media division, Rogers can move forward with the process of identifying a successor to outgoing Blue Jays president Paul Beeston.”As for the Angels? Morosi wrote: Following the recent discord between the front office and manager Mike Scioscia, one key attribute for the next GM in Anaheim is an ability to coexist with a strong personality in the dugout. Dombrowski enjoyed a productive relationship with the old-school Jim Leyland in Florida and Detroit, winning one World Series and three league pennants.”"

Dombrowski holds solid record at trade deadline – Tony Paul, Detroit News

"It’s quite the dilemma, as the American League Central race might be all but lost after they fell eighth games back of the Royals on Friday night, following an unbelievable 8-6 loss to the Twins.That said, the Tigers remain within striking distance for one of the wild cards.What will the Tigers decide?It’s too early to tell.But this much is certain: Regardless if they’re buyers or sellers, Tigers president and GM Dave Dombrowski is going to make a significant move this month."

Next: If Tigers want to rebuild, perhaps J.D. Mart should be dealt

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