Detroit Tigers: Mutual parting, Rondon to close, 2016 Payroll

There has been a lot of talk the last couple weeks about Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus perhaps being on the hot seat. Many fans, including our staff at MCB have called for Ausmus to be fired.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, however, says the Tigers might not have to do that. Rosenthal suggests that there is a possibility that Ausmus might not even want to come back. He resides in Southern California, and with the Tigers likely looking for a fresh start in 2016, it might be in the best interest for both parties to mutually part ways. Ausmus then might be a front-runner for the San Diego Padres job if it becomes available.

Moving forward this year, though, Ausmus has decided to give reliever Bruce Rondon another chance in the closer role. This means Alex Wilson will pitch mostly in the eighth inning.

But once again looking ahead to 2016, Tigers fans are hopeful new General Manager Al Avila will quickly reload the roster with talent in free agency. That, though, could be very difficult especially with so much money already dedicated to just five players. MLive.com takes a closer look at the potential Detroit Tigers budget for the 2016 season.

More from Motor City Bengals

• Detroit Tigers: Victor Reyes finding ways to get the job done
• The Detroit Tigers must cut their losses and release Jonathan Schoop
• Detroit Tigers: Garrett Hill’s new role and changed delivery are excellent
• Detroit Tigers: Joe Jiménez has rebounded in 2022
• Detroit Tigers: Is it finally time to move the fences in at Comerica Park?

Hot Seats: Which skippers are most likely to get canned – Ken Rosenthal, FOX Sports

New GM Al Avila notably did not promise that Ausmus would return in 2016, prompting a rival executive to raise an interesting question:Does Ausmus even want to be back?The Tigers figure to get worse before they get better, and a mutual parting might be in everyone’s best interests. Ausmus would be a natural in San Diego — he lives in Del Mar, Calif., and both played for the Padres and worked in their front office.Ausmus likely will be better in his second job than in his first; the Tigers’ bullpen would drive any manager to tears.

Tigers Give Bruce Rondon Another Shot at Closer – Chris McCosky, The Detroit News

Manager Brad Ausmus, in both word and deed, made it clear that Bruce Rondon will now be his primary choice to pitch the ninth inning when the Tigers have a lead of three runs or fewer.“The way Rondon has been pitching, I may end up giving him some more opportunities,” Ausmus said after Rondon got the final three outs in the Tigers’ 7-4 win Wednesday night against the Royals. “It doesn’t mean he will get all of them. He needs days off, too. And Wilson is going to pitch at the back end of games somewhere, maybe the eighth, maybe even the ninth.”

Payroll Projection: Detroit Tigers will find it very expensive to field playoff contention in 2016

It will be expensive for the Detroit Tigers to compete for a playoff spot in 2016.Actually, it will be expensive even if they don’t.The Tigers have more than $110 million committed for 2016 and just five players locked up. Add in a few other certainties — a payment to the Texas Rangers, a buyout for Joe Nathan and arbitration raises for a few players — and that will push them past $130 million with more than 15 roster spots still to fill.The point: The Tigers will likely have to spend more next year than they expected to this season if they hope to fill roster holes and bounce back to compete for the 2016 American League Central Division title.

Next: Fantasy Baseball: Five Hottest Second-Half AL Central Hitters