Detroit – It was curious timing, to be sure.
On the day the Red Sox were visiting Comerica Park for the first time in 2019 – the Boston ballclub being a harsh reminder to Tigers fans about what their team used to be, and what it won't be again anytime soon – Tigers CEO Christopher Ilitch announced a contract extension for general manager Al Avila on Friday afternoon.
Avila's original five-year contract was to expire in August 2020. It wasn't announced how many years the new deal adds for Avila, whose Tigers are neck deep in an ugly rebuild that has produced a 28-54 record on the field, and a whole lot of fan apathy to go along with the mounting losses.