They went and got a catcher. They went and got a veteran starting pitcher. In the first month of the offseason, the Tigers checked off two of the biggest items on their shopping list. As for the biggest?
As for an elite shortstop?
"I’ve said it multiple times, we’ll have all the resources we need as a ballclub to ensure we continue to improve and to ultimately be playoff contenders and World Series champions," Chris Ilitch said Monday as the Tigers introduced $77 million pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez. "That’s our goal."
No one expected the Tigers to take care of this quickly. They're hunting big game at shortstop, and big game isn't easily wrangled. It will take at least $20 million per year to sign any of the five stars the Tigers have checked in on, and upwards of $30 million per year to sign the guy A.J. Hinch had brunch with last week in Houston: Carlos Correa. That price might be off Detroit's menu.
"(Avila) and I talk about different contract scenarios quite often," Ilitch said. "And we have an open mind. Anything is really on the table. Having said that, we want to make sure that what we do allows the organization sustainable success over the long haul. We need to keep that in mind."
The term is as significant as the cost. Correa will be looking for a 10-year deal worth at least $300 million in total. That would take him through his age-37 season. The Tigers signed Miguel Cabrera to an eight-year, $250 million extension in 2014 and have spent most of the last five years regretting it. Are they willing to shell out $300 million for someone like Correa?
"I would defer to Al in terms of what he and A.J. believe our organization needs to accomplish our goals and to execute our plan," Ilitch said. "Again, the resources are going to be there. I know Al, A.J. and myself are all very aligned in making sure that when we talk about new contracts through free agency, we need to be mindful that our goal is not to be good one time, but to be good over the course of time."
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Avila reiterated Monday that shortstop is "obviously a need" for the Tigers and they're "actively looking" for one. He also reiterated what he said at the end of the season, that the club is "going to take a measured approach" to free agency.
"Obviously we want to get into the playoffs, but we have to be careful as we move forward. If I remember correctly, I said not one player is going to make us a winner. We have to make sure that we can field a good 26-man roster," Avila said. "So it’s going to be a step-by-step measured process and we’re going to be very careful in how we do it."
When the offseason began, it seemed certain that the Tigers would spend big on a shortstop. That still feels likely, but there's some doubt creeping into the picture. Avila said Monday there are more ways than one to build a winning team, "so if it doesn’t work out at the shortstop position, you have to fortify your team in other ways." He said the Tigers are still scanning free agency for starting pitchers and outfielders as potential alternative upgrades to shortstop.
"There’s a lot of different ways to attack it," Avila said.
Hinch downplayed his meeting with Correa when asked about it. He said he was just delivering a baby gift to his former player, who's about to become a father. But of course he used the opportunity to pitch Correa on Detroit. Hinch said "we want winners here," and there might not be a more established winner in baseball than Correa. Same goes for free agent shortstop Corey Seager. Javy Baez, Trevor Story and Marcus Semien are no slouches themselves -- and don't forget Chris Taylor.
"We want to win," Hinch said Monday, sitting next to Avila. "That’s the reason we’re here today signing (Rodriguez). It's the reason we made a transaction on the first day of the offseason in getting Tucker Barnhart. There are more conversations to be had. There's a ton of interest in coming to Detroit by a variety of players. That’s because I think people are aware that our trajectory is going in the right direction."
The shortstop hunt has a ways to go, and a looming work stoppage might push things deep into the winter. The Tigers are clearly involved. Their prize will be determined by how much the market demands, how much Avila wants to spend -- and whether Ilitch is willing to spend it.