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Detroit Tigers Clips

Friday, November 6, 2015

Detroit Free Press

Tigers prospect JaCoby Jones suspended by MLB (Fenech)

The Detroit News

Fiery Tigers prospect Ficociello learning to harness emotions (McCosky)

Tigers prospect JaCoby Jones suspended 50 games (McCosky)

Tigers' Avila looking for homegrown answers for bullpen fix (McCosky)

MLive.com

Detroit Tigers prospect JaCoby Jones suspended for 50 games due to second positive drug test (Iott)

MLB.com

McCann wins Tigers Rookie of the Year (Beck)

Tigers looking to balance needs with payroll (Beck)

Tigers' prospect Jones gets 50-game suspension (Beck)

Associated Press

Tigers prospect JaCoby Jones suspended 50 games (Staff)

Oakland Press

As offseason heats up, Tigers GM Al Avila makes appearance on ‘Hot Stove’ (Mowery)

Tigers prospect JaCoby Jones suspended 50 games for failed drug test (Mowery)

GoErie.com

SeaWolves outfielder suspended (Reisenweber)

CBSDetroit.com

Tigers GM Al Avila Says Club Is Going After Two Starting Pitchers (Scoby)

Daily Transactions

2

Tigers prospect JaCoby Jones suspended by MLB November 6, 2015

By Anthony Fenech/ Detroit Free Press

JaCoby Jones has been suspended.

The Detroit Tigers’ infield prospect was tagged for a second violation of the Major League Baseball joint drug

prevention and treatment program this afternoon – testing positive for a drug of abuse, according to the league –

and will be suspended 50 games.

The Tigers released a statement recognizing the suspension “as a measure taken in the best interest of the game”

and said the organization “continues to fully support this policy.”

Jones, 23, was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates at the trade deadline for closer Joakim Soria.

Jones hit .257 in 2015 between Single-A and Double-A in both organizations, with 16 home runs and 80 RBIs.

A shortstop by trade, Jones possesses a power stroke, but no certain home on the diamond at the major-league

level.

Jones was one of a handful of Tigers prospects participating in the Arizona Fall League. In 12 games with the

Scottsdale Scorpions, Jones went 14-for-50 with two home runs, four RBIs and a stolen base.

The rest of Jones' Arizona Fall League games will count toward his suspension. There are 11 games remaining

for the Scorpions in AFL play.

It is unclear whether the first positive drug test came in his two months in the Tigers organization. The team

provided no further comment on the matter.

3

Fiery Tigers prospect Ficociello learning to harness emotions November 6, 2015

By Chris McCosky/ The Detroit News

Scottsdale, Ariz. – The turning point for Tigers' corner infield prospect Dominic Ficociello came toward the end

of the 2014 season with Low-A West Michigan.

Ficociello, 23, plays with a competitive fire that belies his Southern California roots. But it's a fire that burns

two ways. It has fueled his ascent in the Tigers' system – it took him less than two years to get to Double-A

Erie.

It has also at times flamed into full-blown, bat-breaking, helmet-smashing temper tantrums which earned him a

reputation as a hot head.

He has fought hard to harness his passion, to get keep it working for him and not against him.

"This last season was the best I've done with it," Ficociello said. "I take every at-bat serious, personal. This past

year was the first time I was able to hold back my emotions when I had a rough day. I won't even say it was

hard. Just, something clicked."

His epiphany came in 2014. Ficociello, a true switch-hitter who can play first and third and will get some reps

in the outfield this spring, was hitting close to .300 at West Michigan late in the season when he had maybe the

worst meltdown of his career.

"Just a rough day," he said. "We were losing. I'd already smashed a helmet and had to go up to the locker room

to get another one. On my last at-bat I made an out – it was the last inning, I was like 0-for-4, 0-for-5 and I was

losing it.

"I didn't think there was a chance we'd ever come back. We were down four or five runs. So I just started

packing up my stuff, getting ready to go back up into the locker room. I was just so pissed off."

Enter the venerable Gene Roof. For 30 years he's been coaching somewhere in the Tigers organization.

Presently, he is the roving outfield and base running coach and he witnessed Ficociello's meltdown.

"Roofy saw me and he jumped on me," Ficociello said. "And thank God he did. He said, 'So you're just packing

it up? You are giving up on your team?' Not really, but I was just so consumed in my own at-bats."

It wasn't the first talented, ultra-competitive player Roof has had to talk off the ledge.

"He's such a competitor and he wants to be so good," Roof said. "It's just the way he was in the dugout and on

the field. I said, 'Dude, you are hitting about .295. How do you think this guy over here who's hitting .200 feels?

You are having a helluva year. You can't let it show because you are one of our leaders here. This ain't the way

to play.'

"I said, 'Hell, you can hit .280 and be a winner and you can hit .330 and be a loser.'"

The message hit Ficociello like a cold slap in the face.

"I was like, 'God, I am an idiot for acting this way,'" he said. "There was no reason for it. We were in first place.

I was still hitting well. It was just one day. I apologized to Roofy, to our head coach. I don't know why I was

doing it. I had never taken it that far before.

"After that, I can't do it anymore."

The fire still burns. The last thing the Tigers want is to extinguish it completely. And Ficociello will still

occasionally bust up a bat or howl at the walls in the tunnel underneath the stadium.

"There's nothing wrong with being a competitor," Roof said. "I don't want him coming back to the dugout with

a smile on his face. I want him to be upset, but not to the point where he can't control it."

Ficociello rarely takes his bad at-bats onto the field these days. And, as he said, he no longer wants to give

pitchers the satisfaction of thinking they'd beat him.

"I think I have it figured out, but I am always going to be a fiery guy and I am going to bring energy," he said.

"That's just the way it is. Some guys may not like it. They may think I'm too flashy or like I'm goofing off – and

that's never the case.

"I take this game seriously but I can't play this game uptight and serious. I have to play it loose and have fun. I

love this sport and I want to play it like it's fun."

4

Ficociello hit .275 with 37 extra base hits and 53 RBI for West Michigan in 2014. He hit .297 at High-A

Lakeland and .284 at Double-A Erie last year, with a combined 38 extra base hits and 60 RBI.

He is a slightly better hitter left-handed but equally comfortable from either side of the plate. In 2014, he hit

.277 right-handed and .325 left-handed. Last season, he hit .267 right-handed and .299 left-handed.

"The first time I saw him he was playing second base and I thought at the time he reminded me of (Royals) Ben

Zobrist," said Tigers minor league hitting coordinator Bruce Fields. "I think he is more of a line-drive guy with

gap power. Will he hit 25 homers? I don't know. But I am not going to sell him short. I see him hitting

somewhere between 10 and 15, maybe more but he's a guy who will always do something to where you will

want to keep him in the lineup."

He got off to a slow start here in the Arizona Fall League, but he's heated up. He's hitting .256 with two

doubles, two triples and seven RBI.

"My game is spraying the ball and making solid contact," Ficociello said. "When I get in trouble is when I try to

hit the ball too hard. Just gap to gap. When runners are in scoring position, I don't care if it's a single, double or

home run – just get the guy in. I have to stick to that.

"As I get bigger and stronger, the home runs will come more frequently."

Most likely, Ficociello will begin the 2016 season at Erie, but that determination won't come until the middle of

spring training.

"I know the organization would like for him to hit with more power, but I think that will come," said Nelson

Santovenia, who was Ficociello's hitting coach at Lakeland and West Michigan. "I think he's going to get

stronger and start driving the ball more and pulling it more. He has good, quick hands and I love his swing. He's

got what it takes to get to the big leagues. He just needs to continue with the process."

5

Tigers prospect JaCoby Jones suspended 50 games

November 6, 2015

By Chris McCosky/ The Detroit News

Scottsdale, Ariz. – Tigers No. 10-rated prospect JaCoby Jones was pulled from the Arizona Fall League lineup

Thursday for what was said to be flu-like symptoms.

Turns out, it was much more serious.

Jones was suspended for 50 games for violating the terms of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment

Program. It was the second time he tested positive for a drug of abuse violation.

Which means, the positive test was for a recreation drug not a performance enhancing drug.

David Littlefield, the Tigers vice president of player development who was at Scottsdale Stadium Thursday,

would not comment on the situation.

“The Detroit Tigers recognize the suspension of JaCoby Jones for violating Minor League Baseball's Joint Drug

Prevention and Treatment Program as a measure taken in the best interest of the game, and the ball club

continues to fully support this policy,” said general manager Al Avila in a statement. “The Tigers' organization

will provide no further comment on Jones’ suspension.”

The suspension takes effect immediately and the 12 games remaining in the Arizona Fall League will count

toward the suspension. Jones, who was hitting .280 this fall, was selected to play in the league’s All-Star Game

Saturday. He will be replaced by Tigers outfield prospect Mike Gerber.

Jones, a right-handed hitting infielder the Tigers acquired from the Pirates for closer Joakim Soria at the trade

deadline, has hit 40 home runs with 160 RBI in his first two professional seasons, climbing quickly through

Low-A and High-A, finishing at Double-A Erie last season.

He was expected to play shortstop for either Double-A Erie or Triple-A Toledo next season.

6

Tigers' Avila looking for homegrown answers for bullpen fix November 6, 2015

By Chris McCosky/ The Detroit News

Scottsdale, Ariz. – General manager Al Avila was asked by Ken Rosenthal on MLB Network's Hot Stove

program Thursday how he planned to fix the Tigers' perennial bullpen problems.

"I would say the best way to fix your bullpen, in reality, is to have your own players, home-grown, knowing

what you've got coming through the system and putting them out there," he said. "That's really the best way to

do it."

However, several young Tigers arms got an opportunity to secure bullpen roles last year and the results were

decidedly mixed. While left-handers Blaine Hardy and Kyle Ryan and right-handers Alex Wilson and Drew

VerHagen made good on the opportunity, others like right-handers Angel Nesbitt, Bruce Rondon, Buck Farmer,

Guido Knudson and left-hander Ian Krol faltered.

"When you don't have that (talent) coming through, then you have to go out and acquire players, either through

trades or free agency," Avila said.

Thus, the Tigers will be hunting veteran relief help in free agency, as well. But the primary focus is on

identifying in-house candidates who could help next season.

"We are really evaluating possible in-house candidates that can go out and close games or be an eighth inning

guy," Avila said. "We're in that process and we will make decisions in spring training. At the same time, we

have to target the best available relievers we can.

"It's a combination of both. I can't just say I am going to give this guy an opportunity from within and then not

do due diligence in trying to acquire guys in free agency. It's a combination of everything."

The Tigers are considering moving starting pitchers Shane Greene and possibly Michael Fulmer and Luis Cessa

into bullpen roles this year. Others who will get long looks in spring training include two players who have

dominated the Arizona Fall League – Montreal Robertson and Jeff Ferrell.

Jose Valdez, who has a high-90s fastball and had some good outings for the Tigers late last season, is also in the

mix.

"If everybody had their druthers, the perfect scenario, you'd bring a guy up through the system, you give him

the experience through the system and then you bring him to the big leagues," Avila said. "You put him in a less

stressful role and in time you put him at the back end and he ends up being your guy."

Avila was also asked how much financial flexibility the Tigers had in free agency this year.

"I would say it's probably a little more restrictive this year, just because we have money invested in so many

guys already," he said, referencing the $110 million already committed to Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera,

Victor Martinez, Anibal Sanchez and Ian Kinsler. "But saying that, Mr. Ilitch still wants to go out there and try

to win a championship. So we will be out on the free-agent market trying to do the best we can with the money

we have."

7

Detroit Tigers prospect JaCoby Jones suspended for 50 games due to second positive drug

test November 6, 2015

By Chris Iott/ MLive.com

Detroit Tigers prospect JaCoby Jones suspended for 50 games due to second positive drug test

Report: Kirk Gibson interviews with Los Angeles Dodgers for managerial opening

Twitter poll results: Detroit Tigers fans would like to see free agent Rajai Davis return next year

Rotation, bullpen are top priorities for Detroit Tigers as free agency nears

Detroit Tigers purchase contract of Luis Cessa to prevent him from becoming free agent

All Stories

Detroit Tigers prospect JaCoby Jones got off to a good start in the Arizona Fall League. But now he's finished

there.

Jones has been suspended for 50 games following a second positive test for a "drug of abuse," Major League

Baseball announced Thursday afternoon.

"The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that Detroit Tigers Minor League shortstop

JaCoby Jones has received a 50-game suspension without pay after a second positive test for a drug of abuse in

violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program," Major League Baseball said in a

release.

The suspension, which includes Arizona Fall League games, is effective immediately. There were 12 AFL

games remaining at the time of Jones' suspension on Thursday.

"The Detroit Tigers recognize the suspension of JaCoby Jones for violating Minor League Baseball's Joint Drug

Prevention and Treatment Program as a measure taken in the best interest of the game, and the ballclub

continues to fully support this policy," the Tigers said in a release. "The Tigers' organization will provide no

further comment on Jones' suspension."

The Tigers obtained Jones from the Pittsburgh Pirates at the trade deadline. He hit .250 with six home runs and

20 RBIs in 37 games for Double-A Erie following the trade. He batted .257 with 16 home runs, 80 RBIs and

165 strikeouts in 133 games in the minors in 2015.

The Tigers have been high on Jones since they obtained him, although it's not clear what position he will end up

playing in the long run.

"It's the power-speed combination," Tigers assistant general manager David Chadd told MLive recently. "We

know he can play the middle of the field. It's all those things, as a scout, it gets you obviously excited because

the tools are all there. He's a five-tool player. He's just got to continue to develop, cut down on strikeouts and

put it in play a little more and, after that, just get at-bats."

Jones batted .280 (14 for 50) with two home runs, four RBIs and 17 strikeouts in 50 at-bats in the Arizona Fall

League before being suspended.

Jones is listed as the Tigers' 10th best prospect according to MLB Pipeline.

It's not clear whether Jones' first violation took place before or after the Tigers obtained him in the July trade.

8

Tigers looking to balance needs with payroll November 6, 2015

By Jason Beck/ MLB.com

DETROIT -- The Tigers have been among baseball's most aggressive teams on the free-agent market in recent

years. As Al Avila embarks on his first offseason as general manager, trying to balance several pitching needs

with a payroll that has a handful of large deals for existing players on the books, he's going to have to forge a

careful balance.

Avila made his first appearance as GM on MLB Network's Hot Stove morning show on Thursday, one of his

first public appearances in an offseason where the Tigers will be trying to restock for a run back to postseason

contention. Asked about his team's financial flexibility with free agency beginning, Avila acknowledged the

task of filling several needs in the club's payroll space.

"I would say it is probably more restrictive this year, just because we have money invested in so many guys

already," Avila told Matt Vasgersian and Harold Reynolds. "But in saying that, we still want to go out there and

try to win a championship, so we will be out there in the free-agent market trying to do the best we can with that

money that we have."

The Tigers have just under $105 million committed next season to five players -- Miguel Cabrera, Justin

Verlander, Ian Kinsler, Anibal Sanchez and Victor Martinez -- plus a $6 million payment to Texas to cover part

of Prince Fielder's salary and $1 million to buy out Joe Nathan's option year. Detroit also has five arbitration-

eligible players, with slugger J.D. Martinez at the top of the list and reliever Neftali Feliz a potential non-tender

candidate.

The Tigers could have around $30-$35 million to spend before reaching last year's payroll of around $172.8

million. Avila has said they're looking for two starters and two or three relievers.

"We have to strengthen ourselves with our pitching," Avila said. "We are happy that Verlander really finished

the season real strong the last 2 1/2 months. He showed us that he can be the pitcher that we need him to be.

Sanchez also at the end of the year was healthy and ready to go. We decided just to keep him down. He went on

and went through his strength and conditioning, and that is what he is doing right now, so he is healthy. So,

those two guys coming back really give us a lift and positive hope going into next year.

"Saying that then, we need to go out and get two more starting pitchers. The reason I say that is because some

of the young guys that we have that we like, we would like to not push them so much where we are going in

with three young guys per se and try to win a championship. You can add one guy in there, but you can't have

three."

Avila also took the annual question of how to fix the bullpen.

"Well, the bullpen has always been a mystery to a lot of clubs. It's not just the Detroit Tigers," Avila said. "I

would say the best way to fix your bullpen, in reality, is to have your own players homegrown, knowing what

you have got coming through the system and then putting them out there. That is really the best way to do it.

Now, in saying that, when you don't have that coming through, then you have to go out and acquire players

either via trade or free agency. That is what we are trying to do.

"We are evaluating the possible in-house candidates that can go out and close out games or be an eighth inning

guy. We can evaluate that process, and we'll make decisions in Spring Training. But at the same time, here in

the offseason, we have to target the best available relievers that we can and see which one or which ones we end

up acquiring. So it is a combination of both. You can't just say, 'I am going to give this guy an opportunity from

within,' and not try to do due diligence and either acquire a guy through free agency or trades.

"But if everybody had their druthers and the perfect situation is, you bring a guy up through the system. He gets

the experience, taught through the system. Then you bring him to the big leagues, and you put him in there in a

less stressful role, and within time you put him there in the back end, and he ends up being your guy. That is

really the best way to do it."

9

McCann wins Tigers Rookie of the Year

November 6, 2015

By Jason Beck/ MLB.com

DETROIT -- Catcher James McCann has been voted the Tigers Rookie of the Year by the Detroit Sports

Broadcasters Association, punctuating a season that saw him not only emerge as the Tigers' everyday catcher

but also step up as a leader on a team that grew younger as the season went on.

McCann, the Tigers' top pick in the 2011 Draft, began the season splitting time behind the plate before Alex

Avila's stint on the disabled list forced him into more frequent work. The 25-year-old not only shouldered the

heavy workload, but he also took on the responsibility of handling the pitching staff and putting together game

plans on opposing hitters as manager Brad Ausmus groomed him for a bigger role.

McCann batted .264 (106-for-401) with 18 doubles, five triples, seven home runs and 41 RBIs in 114 games.

His 29 multi-hit games ranked fourth among American League rookies.

Defensively, he was a standout, throwing out 24 of 65 would-be basestealers and picking off two other

baserunners. He was the only Major Leaguer to catch at least 110 games without being charged with an error,

and his three passed balls tied him for second-lowest among qualified catchers.

McCann hit the spotlight when cameras caught him in a dugout argument with shortstop Jose Iglesias during an

August game against the Red Sox at Comerica Park. Several players came to McCann's support, with former

Tiger David Price calling him a future captain.

Barely a week later, McCann had a highlight in Kansas City, staring down Alex Rios during a mound visit

when he suspected the Royals' baserunner of trying to steal signs from second base.

McCann is just the second catcher to win Tigers Rookie of the Year, which has been awarded since 1969. Matt

Nokes was the other, winning it in 1987.

10

Tigers' prospect Jones gets 50-game suspension

November 6, 2015

By Jason Beck/ MLB.com

DETROIT -- Tigers prospect JaCoby Jones' rise up the organizational ladder is halted. The shortstop received a

50-game suspension from Major League Baseball on Thursday after a second positive test for a drug of abuse.

The suspension includes the rest of the Arizona Fall League, where Jones had been selected for Saturday's Fall

Stars Game showcasing the league's top prospects. He had been removed from the Scottsdale Scorpions' lineup

earlier on Thursday with an illness, according to a report in the Detroit News. The final 12 games in Scottsdale's

season, including Thursday, will count towards Jones' suspension, leaving him to serve a 38-game suspension to

begin next year.

The Tigers issued a statement in the wake of the suspension announcement:

"The Detroit Tigers recognize the suspension of JaCoby Jones for violating Minor League Baseball's Joint Drug

Prevention and Treatment Program as a measure taken in the best interest of the game, and the ballclub

continues to fully support this policy. The Tigers' organization will provide no further comment on Jones'

suspension."

Detroit acquired Jones from Pittsburgh in the Joakim Soria trade on July 30. Jones had a three-homer outburst

in his third game for Double-A Erie on Aug. 2, and he finished with a .250 average, six homers and 20 RBIs in

37 games for the SeaWolves. Jones finished the season as the Tigers' 10th-ranked prospect, according to

MLB.com.

For the year, the 23-year-old Jones batted .257 with 25 doubles, 16 homers and 80 RBIs in 133 games across

three stops. He won AFL Co-Player of the Week honors a couple of weeks ago after following up a two-homer

game with a 4-for-4 effort for the Scorpions, and Jones entered Thursday batting .280 (14-for-50) with three

walks and 17 strikeouts.

Jones' hitting and positional versatility had been expected to give him a chance to land a spot in Major League

camp for Spring Training.

The Arizona Fall League announced Thursday evening that Tigers outfield prospect Mike Gerber will replace

Jones on the Fall Stars Games roster. The 23-year-old Gerber entered Thursday batting .298 (14-for-47) for

Scottsdale with four doubles, two triples, a home run, 12 RBIs and a stolen base. He is ranked as the Tigers' No.

18 prospect.

11

Tigers prospect JaCoby Jones suspended 50 games November 6, 2015

By Associated Press Staff/ Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) -- Detroit Tigers shortstop JaCoby Jones has been suspended for 50 games following a

positive test for a drug of abuse under baseball's minor league drug program.

Jones had been with the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League and will miss the rest of the AFL

season. He is on the roster of the Double-A Erie SeaWolves of the Eastern League.

Detroit acquired Jones in July in the trade that sent right-hander Joakim Soria to Pittsburgh. Jones, 23, hit .257

with 16 homers and 80 RBIs with three teams at Class A and Double-A this year

Jones' suspension was announced Thursday by the commissioner's office. There have been 93 suspensions this

year under the minor league program, including 35 for drugs of abuse.

12

As offseason heats up, Tigers GM Al Avila makes appearance on ‘Hot Stove’ November 6, 2015

By Matthew Mowery/ Oakland Press

With the free-agent signing period fast approaching, the Tigers are ramping up for their first offseason under

new general manager Al Avila.

Free agency begins on Saturday, at 12:01 a.m., followed by the GM meetings in Florida, starting Monday.

The longtime executive made an appearance on MLB Network’s “Hot Stove” program to discuss his team’s

plans. Much of what he said was similar to what he’d expressed a few weeks ago, at his end-of-season news

conference, but there were a few key points:

On payroll flexibility: “I would say it is probably more restrictive this year, just because we have the money

invested in so many guys already. But in saying that, we still want to go out there and try to win a

championship, so we will be out there in the free agent market trying to do the best we can with that money that

we have. In saying that, we have to strengthen ourselves with our pitching. We are happy that Verlander really

finished the season real strong the last 2 1/2 months. He showed us that he can be the pitcher that we need him

to be. Sanchez also at the end of the year was healthy and ready to go. We decided just to keep him down. He

went on and went through his strength and conditioning, and that is what he is doing right now, so he is healthy.

So, those two guys coming back really give us a lift and positive hope going into next year. Saying that then, we

need to go out and get two more starting pitchers. The reason I say that is because some of the young guys that

we have that we like, we would like to not push them so much where we are going in with three young guys per

se and try to win a championship. You can add one guy in there, but you can’t have three.”

On fixing the bullpen: “Well, the bullpen has always been a mystery to a lot of clubs. It’s not just the Detroit

Tigers. I would say the best way to fix your bullpen, in reality, is to have your own players homegrown,

knowing what you have got coming through the system and then putting them out there. That is really the best

way for do it. Now, in saying that, when you don’t have that coming through, then you have to go out and

acquire players either via trade or free agency. That is all we are trying to do. We are evaluating the possible in-

house candidates that can go out and close out games or be an eighth inning guy. We can evaluate that process,

and we’ll make decisions in Spring Training. But at the same time now here in the off season we have to target

the best available relievers that we can and see which one or which ones we end up acquiring. So it is a

combination of both. You can’t just say, “I am going to give this guy an opportunity from within” and not try to

do due diligence and either acquire a guy through free agency or trades. But if everybody had their druthers and

the perfect situation is, you bring a guy up through the system. He gets the experience, taught through the

system. Then you bring him to the big leagues, and you put him in there in a less stressful role, and within time

you put him there in the back end, and he ends up being your guy. That is really the best way to do it.”

13

Tigers prospect JaCoby Jones suspended 50 games for failed drug test

November 6, 2015

By Matthew Mowery/ Oakland Press

JaCoby Jones was one of the better stories for the Tigers in the second half of the season, and into the fall.

Not as much anymore.

Major League Baseball announced a 50-game suspension for Jones on Thursday, for testing positive a second

time for a drug of abuse.

“The Detroit Tigers recognize the suspension of JaCoby Jones for violating Minor League Baseball’s Joint

Drug Prevention and Treatment Program as a measure taken in the best interest of the game, and the ballclub

continues to fully support this policy,” the team said in a news release. “The Tigers’ organization will provide

no further comment on Jones’ suspension.”

The lone position player acquired by the Tigers in their trade deadline purge, the return on the deal that sent

Joakim Soria to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Jones did well enough at Double-A Erie to earn a ticket to the Arizona

Fall League.

Jones hit .267 with six homers and 22 RBI in 40 games for the Seawolves, and was hitting .304 with a pair of

home runs in 11 games for the Scottsdale Scorpions of the AFL, earning AFL Player of the Week honors in

mid-October, and a spot in the Fall Stars Game this weekend. Fellow Tigers prospect and AFL teammate Mike

Gerber will replace Jones in the Fall Stars Game.

His suspension won’t directly impact the big-league club, but it might impact the team’s offseason plans a bit.

Brought in to reinforce the organization’s depth of middle infielders, his absence might cost the Tigers the

organizational depth to trade a middle infield prospect to fill the big-league club’s needs.

14

SeaWolves outfielder suspended November 6, 2015

By Tom Reisenweber/ GoErie.com

Erie SeaWolves shortstop JaCoby Jones has been suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for testing

positive for a “drug of abuse”. It is his second positive test, which results in a 50-game suspension.

Jones, 23, is the No. 10 prospect in the Detroit Tigers organization according to MLB.com. He was drafted by

the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third round of the 2013 draft out of Louisiana State University before being traded

to the Tigers earlier this season for relief pitcher Joakim Soria. Jones finished the 2015 season with the

SeaWolves and hit .250 in 37 games. His signature moment with Erie came on Aug. 2, just a few days after the

trade. He clubbed three home runs in a 7-1 win at New Britain.

Jones is hitting .280 in the prestigious Arizona Fall League and was recently named to the all-star game.

If Jones returns to the SeaWolves in 2016, barring any rainouts or postpone games, he would be eligible to play

in the middle of May. The remaining Arizona Fall League games count assuming Jones plays the rest of the

schedule.

15

Tigers GM Al Avila Says Club Is Going After Two Starting Pitchers

November 6, 2015

By Ashley Scoby/ CBSDetroit.com

Tigers general manager and vice president of baseball operations Al Avila says the team’s focus in the

offseason is finding two more starting pitchers.

Most of the players that the club is going after are free agents rather than players that the Tigers will trade for,

according to Avila, who was a guest on MLB Network’s “Hot Stove.”

“(Justin Verlander and Anibal Sanchez) coming back really gives us a lift and positive hope going into next

year,” he said. “In saying that we need to go out and get two more starting pitchers and the reason I say that is

because some of the young guys that we have that we like, we would like to not push them so much where

we’re going in with three young guys and trying to win a championship. You can have one guy in there but you

can’t have three.”

Detroit recently picked up the contract of Luis Cessa from Toledo, and bought out 40-year-old Joe Nathan’s

contract.

Daniel Norris is also recovering from thyroid surgery, after a cancerous tumor was removed a few weeks ago.

He is expected to be ready for spring training.

Sanchez, one of the veterans that Avila is hoping can lead the team next year, is healthy now after an injury-

plagued 2015. According to Avila, Sanchez was “healthy and ready to go” at the end of last season, but the

team chose to shut him down anyways.

As the Tigers search the free agent market for their future starting pitchers, they’re not exactly working with

piles of money to pay them.

“I would say it’s probably more restrictive this year just because you have the money invested in so many guys

already,” Avila said. “But in saying that, (owner) Mr. (Mike) Ilitch obviously still wants to go out there and try

to win a championship, so we will be out there in the free agent market trying to do the best we can with the

money that we have.”

To “fix” Detroit’s bullpen, Avila said, the organization will look within. The best option for developing that

bullpen is having “homegrown” talent coming through the farm system, and constantly evaluating where that

talent is in their development.

“Now in saying that, when you don’t have that coming through then you have to go out and acquire players

either via trade or free agency,” Avila said. “We’re really evaluating the possible in-house candidates … We’ll

make decisions in spring training, but at the same time here in the offseason, we’ve got to target the best

available relievers. … You can’t just say I’m gonna give this guy an opportunity from within and then not try to

do your due diligence in acquiring a guy through free agency or trade, so it’s really a combination of

everything.”

16

LAST UPDATED: FRI, NOVEMBER 6, 2015, 02:05 EST

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2015

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Houston Astros Samuel Deduno Removed From 60-Day DL, (Lower back strain)

Houston Astros Scott Feldman Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right shoulder sprain)

Houston Astros Brad Peacock Removed From 60-Day DL, (Left intercostal strain)

Kansas City Royals Brian Flynn Removed From 60-Day DL, (Torn left latissimus dorsi)

Kansas City Royals Alcides Escobar Signed, ( 2016)(team option exercised)

Kansas City Royals Wade Davis Signed, ( 2016)(team option exercised)

Kansas City Royals Tim Collins Removed From 60-Day DL, (Left elbow surgery - out for season)

Kansas City Royals Jason Vargas Removed From 60-Day DL, (Torn ligament, left elbow)

Los Angeles Dodgers Justin Ruggiano Outrighted to Minors

New York Mets Wilfredo Tovar Outrighted to Minors

New York Mets Anthony Recker Outrighted to Minors

Pittsburgh Pirates Aramis Ramirez Retired

Seattle Mariners Nathan Karns

Traded From from Rays, Tampa Bay (for 1B Logan Morrison, six-player

deal)

17

Seattle Mariners Charlie Furbush Removed From 60-Day DL, (Torn left rotator cuff)

Tampa Bay Rays Danny Farquhar Traded From from Mariners, Seattle (for RHP Nathan Karns, six-player deal)

Tampa Bay Rays Logan Morrison Traded From from Mariners, Seattle (for RHP Nathan Karns, six-player deal)

Tampa Bay Rays Brad Miller Traded From from Mariners, Seattle (for RHP Nathan Karns, six-player deal)

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2015

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Atlanta Braves Jason Grilli Removed From 60-Day DL, (Ruptured left Achilles - out for season)

Atlanta Braves Mike Minor Removed From 60-Day DL, (Left rotator cuff inflammation)

Atlanta Braves Paco Rodriguez Removed From 60-Day DL, (Strained left elbow)

Atlanta Braves Shae Simmons Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right elbow surgery - out for season)

Atlanta Braves Chris Withrow Removed From 60-Day DL, (Recovery from right elbow surgery)

Chicago White Sox Zach Phillips Purchased From Minors

Chicago White Sox Alexei Ramirez Declared Free Agency, (team option declined)

Cincinnati Reds Brennan Boesch Refused Minor League Assignment - Free Agent

Cincinnati Reds Collin Balester Refused Minor League Assignment - Free Agent

Cleveland Indians Ryan Raburn Declared Free Agency, (team option declined)

Kansas City Royals Alex Gordon Declared Free Agency, (declined player option)

18

Los Angeles Angels David Murphy Declared Free Agency, (team option declined)

Los Angeles Dodgers Zack Greinke Declared Free Agency, (declined mutual option)

Miami Marlins Henderson Alvarez Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right shoulder surgery - out for season)

Miami Marlins Aaron Crow Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right elbow surgery - out for season)

New York Yankees Domingo German Removed From 60-Day DL, (Recovery from right elbow surgery)

New York Yankees Andrew Bailey Declared Free Agency, (team option declined)

New York Yankees Jacob Lindgren Removed From 60-Day DL, (Left elbow surgery)

New York Yankees Mason Williams Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right shoulder inflammation)

New York Yankees Chase Whitley Removed From 60-Day DL, (Sprained right elbow)

New York Yankees Sergio Santos Cleared Waivers and Became a Free Agent

New York Yankees Chris Martin Signed to Play in Japan, (Nippon Ham Fighters)

New York Yankees Chris Martin Cleared Waivers and Became a Free Agent

San Diego Padres Cory Luebke Removed From 60-Day DL, (Strained left elbow)

San Diego Padres Cody Decker Outrighted to Minors

San Diego Padres Cory Luebke Declared Free Agency, (team option declined)

San Diego Padres Yonder Alonso Removed From 60-Day DL, (Low back strain)

San Diego Padres Cory Mazzoni Removed From 60-Day DL, (Strained right shoulder)

19

San Francisco Giants Marlon Byrd Declared Free Agency, (team option declined)

San Francisco Giants Nori Aoki Declared Free Agency, (team option declined)

Tampa Bay Rays Jeff Beliveau Removed From 60-Day DL, (Torn left labrum - out for season)

Texas Rangers Bobby Wilson Outrighted to Minors

Toronto Blue Jays Jonathan Diaz Refused Minor League Assignment - Free Agent

Toronto Blue Jays Maicer Izturis Declared Free Agency, (team option declined)

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Arizona

Diamondbacks

Josh Collmenter Signed, ( 2016)(team option exercised)

Arizona

Diamondbacks

Brad Ziegler Signed, ( 2016)(team option exercised)

Baltimore Orioles Cesar Cabral Signed to a Minor League Contract

Boston Red Sox Clay Buchholz Signed, ( 2016)(team option exercised)

Detroit Tigers Joe Nathan Declared Free Agency, (team option declined)

Houston Astros Chad Qualls Declared Free Agency

Kansas City Royals Jeremy Guthrie Declared Free Agency, (mutual option declined)

Kansas City Royals Alex Rios Declared Free Agency, (mutual option declined)

20

Milwaukee Brewers Cesar Jimenez Refused Minor League Assignment - Free Agent

Milwaukee Brewers Adam Lind Signed, ( 2016)(team option exercised)

New York Mets Wilfredo Tovar Removed From 60-Day DL, (Concussion)

New York Mets Jack Leathersich Removed From 60-Day DL, (Recovery from left elbow surgery)

New York Mets Josh Edgin Removed From 60-Day DL, (Left elbow surgery - out for season)

New York Mets Rafael Montero Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right rotator cuff inflammation)

New York Mets Darrell Ceciliani Removed From 60-Day DL, (Strained left hamstring)

New York Mets Zack Wheeler Removed From 60-Day DL, (Torn ligament, right elbow)

New York Mets Buddy Carlyle Removed From 60-Day DL, (Lower back strain)

New York Yankees Brendan Ryan Signed, ( 2016)(exercised player option)

Oakland Athletics Jesse Hahn Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right forearm strain)

Oakland Athletics Kendall Graveman Removed From 60-Day DL, (Strained left oblique)

Oakland Athletics Ike Davis Removed From 60-Day DL, (Strained left hip)

Oakland Athletics Jesse Chavez Removed From 60-Day DL, (Fractured rib)

Oakland Athletics Carson Blair Outrighted to Minors

Oakland Athletics A.J. Griffin Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right shoulder strain)

Oakland Athletics Evan Scribner Removed From 60-Day DL, (Torn right lat muscle)

21

Oakland Athletics Jarrod Parker Removed From 60-Day DL, (Recovery from right elbow surgery)

Philadelphia Phillies Dan Otero Acquired Off Waivers From from Athletics, Oakland

San Diego Padres Clint Barmes Declared Free Agency, (team option declined)

San Diego Padres Joaquin Benoit Signed, ( 2016)(team option exercised)

Toronto Blue Jays Jose Bautista Signed, ( 2016)(team option exercised)

Toronto Blue Jays

Edwin

Encarnacion

Signed, ( 2016)(team option exercised)

Toronto Blue Jays R.A. Dickey Signed, ( 2016)(team option exercised)

Washington Nationals Craig Stammen Removed From 60-Day DL, (Torn right flexor tendon)

Washington Nationals Aaron Barrett Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right elbow sprain)

Washington Nationals David Carpenter Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right shoulder inflammation)