The Detroit Tigers' 3 Biggest Decisions This Offseason

There never seems to be a dull offseason for the Detroit Tigers these days.

An insatiable desire to win a World Series title still drives this ballclub. While the trophy cabinet remains bare, Detroit will continue searching for the right mix to achieve its elusive goal. A combination of free-agent departures and the need for positional upgrades (e.g. bullpen) will stimulate another frenetic winter in the Motor City.

As long as Mike Ilitch remains team owner, his deep pockets will ensure the Tigers stay competitive in the market. With a license to spend, team president and general manager Dave Dombrowski has adopted an almost fantasy baseball-style approach to assembling the team. In 2014, Detroit's player payroll was $161 million (fourth in MLB), according to ESPN.

A look back at last offseason demonstrates the team's urgency to win. Detroit's defeat to Boston in the 2013 American League Championship Series highlighted its two biggest needs—a dominant closer and team speed. Many also felt that new leadership would help to reinvigorate the ballclub.

After surveying the options, solutions were quickly found. First, Jim Leyland—the oldest manager in the majors—was replaced by the third-youngest (at the time), Brad Ausmus.

Within six weeks of Ausmus' signing, Detroit also had the players it wanted. The fastest man on the market, Rajai Davis, was snapped up on a two-year deal. Joe Nathan—the best available closer—was also inked for two years. Additionally, Detroit brought in former 30-30 man Ian Kinsler via a trade with Texas.

Boom, all of Detroit's issues had been promptly solved.

A return to the present sees the Tigers now in a familiar position. In fact, their situation is even more desperate now than it was 12 months ago—their American League Division Series exit was the team's worst finish since 2010.  

Could another leadership change be in the wind? Some people are hoping so:

Despite the murmurs, Dombrowski has backed Ausmus as manager for 2015, via Chris Iott of MLive.com:

"

He's our manager. He's very knowledgeable. He communicates well with the players, with the front office. I think he's really done a good job for us. I think he's only going to get better.

"

Unlike last year, when they had most of their key players under contract, the Tigers now face the departure of several big-name free agents. Max Scherzer, Victor Martinez, Torii Hunter, Phil Coke, Joba Chamberlain and Joakim Soria (club option) could all be wearing different colours next spring.

Detroit's worries do not stop there. Despite the efforts to upgrade, its bullpen demons have still not been exorcised. The failures of 2014 newcomers Soria and Nathan as well as the departure of the ever-reliable Joaquin Benoit (1.49 ERA with San Diego in 2014) have all happened on Dombrowski's watch. Notwithstanding his recent failures, expect the Tigers GM to be active in the bullpen arms race.

If you thought last offseason was a busy one, stand by for more high activity in Detroit this winter. Let's take a look at the GM's three most vexing decisions.

Picking up Joakim Soria's $7 million club option

Detroit's pre-trade deadline acquisition of Soria seemed like a coup at the time. Bringing his 177 career saves and an often unhittable curveball, he was supposed to provide stability to the back end of the bullpen.

However, the Mexican struggled from day one in his new surroundings. Soria spent most of the season's final two months on the disabled list, and when healthy, he pitched poorly—a career-worst 5.22 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) in 13 games.

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

Things only got worse for Soria in the postseason. He looked like a deer in headlights against Baltimore in the ALDS and pitched like one, too. Surrendering the game-winning hit to ex-Tiger Delmon Young in Game 2 drove a dagger through the heart of the Tigers' playoff hopes.

Speakng to Matt Dery on Detroit Sports 105.1 radio, ESPN's Keith Law is in favor of Detroit retaining Soria despite his Motor City travails.

"I think that they should pick it [the option] up," Law said. "I can't see them letting him walk away for what is, frankly, not that much money given how he performed over the course of the last couple of years. If you can get 50 to 60 good innings out of Soria next year plus some better performance in October, I think they would view that as more than worth it."

Outbidding the league to sign Andrew Miller

A former first-round draft pick of the Tigers, the organization would love to get Miller back in the Old English D next season.

The 6'7" lefty was one of the best relievers in the game in 2014. His sweeping slider and mid-90s fastball enabled him to compile a 2.02 ERA and 22 holds with Boston and Baltimore.

His strikeout totals were also prolific. Only the incomparable Aroldis Chapman (17.67) had a higher K/9 than Miller (14.87) in the majors. Miller is no one-trick pony, either. He has the ability to dominate both left-handed and right-handed hitters.

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Finding a reliable southpaw has been difficult for Detroit over the years. It hoped that Ian Krol's arrival in the Doug Fister trade this year may be the solution. However, after a disappointing regular season, the ex-National did not even make Detroit's postseason roster.

It may take an investment of $10 million or more per year to acquire Miller, but there is plenty in Detroit's coffers to cover that if it's willing.

Speaking recently to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe, Miller intimated that he may end signing up with the highest bidder:

"The reality is—it seems kind of cold—but this might be my chance in free agency," Miller said. "The hope is I get good offers. I feel I've put myself in good position to have that."

Trading Eugenio Suarez

Suarez impressed with both his bat and glove in his rookie season with the Tigers. The 23-year-old shortstop played in 85 games in the absence of Jose Iglesias, who missed the entire season with leg injuries.

Iglesias is expected back in 2015, and surely the 2013 Rookie of the Year runner-up is favored to reclaim his everyday shortstop duties. This gives Detroit an opportunity to shop Suarez around the league and pick up some talent in return (e.g. relief pitchers).

Suarez looks like a solid major league player, and many clubs have a need at shortstop. The Yankees have to replace Derek Jeter, and teams such as the Rays, Mariners and Red Sox must surely be interested in acquiring the talented Venezuelan.

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Detroit also has a safety net if Iglesias has continuing health problems. Youngsters Hernan Perez and Dixon Machado are both developing nicely in the minors and could step up to the big club if required.

Unless otherwise stated, stats in this article are courtesy of FanGraphs.

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*Please note that Detroit's attempt to re-sign Victor Martinez was considered a no-brainer and not included in the list. The re-signing of Max Scherzer was also excluded as he has already turned down a substantial offer from the club.