Tigers GM Al Avila fired after 22 years with team

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The Detroit Tigers announced Wednesday that Executive Vice President and General Manager Al Avila is no longer with the team after 22 seasons with the organization.

Avila joined the Tigers in 2002 as assistant general manager, and was named GM midway through the 2015 season. During his seven seasons as GM, the Tigers compiled a 404-573 record and did not make the playoffs.

During much of his time as GM, Avila oversaw the Tigers’ rebuild, which involved reducing payroll and acquiring young prospects through the draft and trades.

He claimed the rebuild was over after a strong finish to the 2021 season, and there was a renewed optimism in the fan base as a result. So far this year, however, the Tigers have a 43-68 record, are in last place in the AL Central and have scored the fewest runs of any team in baseball.  

“I have given my heart and soul to this franchise,” said Avila, in a statement. “I want to thank Mr. and Mrs. Illitch, along with Chris [Illitch], for the opportunity and treating me and my family as their own. We’ve celebrated successes and enjoyed great moments, and I’m proud to have worked with so many talented people in baseball operations throughout the organization. … I wish the results were better this season but know there is a lot to look forward to in the coming years.”

Tigers Chairman and CEO Chris Illitch said he will oversee the process of finding a new operations leader in collaboration with other current Tigers’ executives.

“I want to re-establish our momentum and progress towards building a winning team and I am driven to find a talented executive to help us do that,” Illitch said. “Tigers fans deserve winning teams, and I’m highly focused and committed to deliver that to the people of Detroit and Michigan. … To be clear, our goals are to build a team that wins on a sustainable basis, qualifies for the playoffs and ultimately wins the World Series.”