Brad Ausmus Will Return as Detroit Tigers Manager in 2016

The Detroit Tigers underwent an organizational shake-up earlier this year by ousting former president and general manager Dave Dombrowski, but manager Brad Ausmus will return to the team next season, Tigers general manager Al Avila announced on Sept. 26.

Rumors regarding Ausmus' future with the club began back on Sept. 10, when WDIV-TV Local 4 News' Bernie Smilovitz (via ClickonDetroit.com) reported Ausmus will be fired at the end of the 2015 season.

"The source said new general manager Al Avila wants to bring in his own manager for a fresh start," ClickOnDetroit.com noted. "Owner Mike Ilitch reportedly wants to bring a championship to Detroit but doesn't feel Ausmus is the guy to do it. Ilitch is reportedly unhappy about miscommunication with the players and strategic mistakes on the field."

However, on Sept. 11, Avila released a statement regarding Ausmus' status with the team:

A year after Ausmus led the Tigers to 90 wins and an American League Central Division title, Detroit has floundered in the division's cellar. The Tigers are currently 72-81—good for the second-worst record in the AL.  

Still in only his second year as a manager, the 46-year-old Ausmus has plenty of room to grow as a leader on the bench.