Dave Dombrowski has been around baseball too long not to understand his own situation. He was operating without a contract as Tigers GM for next year, there were no conversations to do a new deal and, thus, he figured the end could come at any time.
It did Tuesday, when he received a call from Detroit owner Mike Ilitch to say his 14-year tenure atop the Tiger baseball department was over.
There was some speculation that the parting was mutual. But, Dombrowski said in a phone call Wednesday with The Post, that was not the case. He appreciated that it came now, giving him more time to survey the baseball landscape for a new job. However, he said that he has nothing lined up, though he already has been associated with team president openings in Boston and Toronto.
“I knew this potential existed,” Dombrowski said. “It was a very short conversation with Mr. Ilitch. I suspected in recent times (without a contract) that something has to happen.”
In actuality, the move had been afoot for at least several days. Al Avila, Dombrowski’s long-time right-hand man, was approached Saturday about replacing Dombrowski and ultimately received a four-year contract to do so.
That this was done without his knowledge, Dombrowski said, does not upset him. Again, he cited his long tenure in baseball for understanding that not all baton passes can be done as the outgoing person might hope. In fact, Dombrowski said, “I’m very happy for Al. He always gave me his best. I’m happy it is him.”
The Tigers won the last four AL Central titles under Dombrowski, but never met the 86-year-old Ilitch’s mandate for a championship in his lifetime despite the owner supporting significant payrolls. This year’s club underachieved and Dombrowski recommended to ownership to be sellers at the deadline because “I did not believe in my heart we could get on a roll the way we were situated. We were a little short in starting pitching.”
Thus, Dombrowski began the retooling of the roster by trading David Price, Yoenis Cespedes and Joakim Soria for a bunch of prospects that are now Avila’s.
So was Dombrowski dismissed because of the lack of a title? A bad 2015? The big payrolls? Dombrowski said Ilitch did not offer an explanation and he did not seek one.
Dombrowski doused one bit of speculation – that he was seeking a large raise to stay – by saying, “There were no (contract) talks, so there were no demands.”
Dombrowski departs Detroit with one of the game’s most pristine reputations. He has been a GM for the Expos, Marlins and Tigers, and won a championship in 1997 with the Marlins. Other executives view him as smart and ethical. And Dombrowski has served as Ilitch’s proxy at most owners meetings for about a decade, which means he is well-known and believed well-regarded by owners, which gives him an advantage over other candidates for openings because he already knows the ultimate decision makers so well. His gravitas in the game will make him viable for any job – and perhaps move some clubs to make an opening for him.
“I do know all the owners, but maybe some don’t like me,” Dombrowski said with a laugh. “I definitely want to stay in the game. I want to be involved in day-to-day baseball operations. I am open to a lot of different possibilities.”