New Detroit Tigers general manager wasted no time in making his mark on the team this offseason. Not only did Avila add significant stars in starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann and left fielder Justin Upton, but he beefed up a bullpen that has held the team back in previous postseasons.
Trade acquisitions Francisco Rodriguez and Justin Wilson joined a solid group of incumbents that include Blaine Hardy, Alex Wilson, Drew VerHagen and Kyle Ryan. However, that wasn’t all. Detroit owner Mike Ilitch was quoted earlier in the offseason (per ESPN’s Katie Strang) as saying “I don’t care about the money.