To the surprise of no one, Brad Ausmus will not be back to manage the Detroit Tigers in 2018. The team announced they would not renew his contract.
Ausmus managed the team for four seasons reaching the post-season only once in his inaugural season in 2014, but were swept by the Baltimore Orioles in the ALDS. In 2017, the Tigers have the second worst record in the AL (only a half game ahead of their division rivals Chicago White Sox). Since August 1st, the Tigers are 15-34 and 4-17 in September. Of course, the Tigers have traded away Justin Verlander, Justin Upton, J.D. Martinez, Alex Avila and Justin Wilson and are soon headed for full rebuild mode. But honestly I am surprised Ausmus wasn't dismissed during the season. But the team graciously let him manage out the season without firing him.
The question is who will succeed Ausmus in 2018. I am inclined to think the Tigers stay within the organization and hire hitting coach Lloyd McClendon who has had previous big league managerial stints with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Seattle Mariners. When the Tigers hired McClendon to manage the Triple-AAA Toledo Mud Hens prior to the 2016 season, it was thought that Ausmus was on a short leash. McClendon joined Ausmus' coaching staff this season, but Ausmus hung on. Or could they coax Tom Brookens out of retirement to manage the team he loyally served for decades? Or they could very easily hire a first time manager not much older than the Tigers' roster? Whoever manages the Tigers in 2018 can expect to manage a last place team.
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