DETROIT — Al Avila spoke to reporters to open the Tigers winter caravan at Comerica Park on Thursday.
In a small room filled with cameras and media attention, the Tigers general manager laid out expectations for 2020.
Tigers GM Al Avila was asked what Chris Ilitch's message is heading into 2020.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) January 23, 2020
"We went through a full rebuild, a full teardown, and now we're in a process where we're ready to step up," he said. pic.twitter.com/9aEmwgWDze
Detroit continues to rebuild, but Avila admitted he has no stars left to trade.
Al Avila was asked about criticism he receives in guiding the Tigers rebuild.
"We were gonna make some mistakes along the way. If you were gonna be perfect... obviously you wouldn't be human," he said. pic.twitter.com/JHxEXaSk7t
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) January 23, 2020
Al Avila was asked about holding back Mize, Manning, and Tigers prospects because of contracts.
"As far as holding a guy back because of service time... I've never been taught that way from my predecessor, and I don't work that way," he said. pic.twitter.com/gwRbgphf4t
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) January 23, 2020
Al Avila said the Tigers are still looking at the free agent market, but Yasiel Puig is "not a priority." pic.twitter.com/6vb9b2UgiD
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) January 23, 2020
