Dombrowski: Tigers' roster 'basically set'
Club could add players, but unlikely to make a major deal before camp
DETROIT -- The Tigers' offseason shopping might not be over yet. Anything they do in these final two weeks before Spring Training, however, is likely to involve a smaller deal, probably a non-roster invite rather than a Major League contract.
"We're basically set," Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said at the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association luncheon on Tuesday, "but it's not like you don't take a phone call or know what else is going on out there. Anything can happen, but we're basically set."
Nothing has changed, Dombrowski said, in regard to James Shields. Detroit has not been pursuing starting pitchers, Dombrowski said after Max Scherzer signed with the Nationals last month, and that remains Dombrowski's stance.
Shields is the last major free-agent starting pitcher on the market, though he has been linked to various clubs over the last several weeks. The Tigers reportedly had contact with Shields' agent, Page Odle, but Dombrowski quelled speculation of Shields as a possible Scherzer replacement.
Dombrowski, without referring to Shields by name, said Tuesday his team would not be involved in "any high-profile, high-dollar type of situations" going into camp.
The lower-profile situations at this point mainly involve relievers. The list of free agents includes Phil Coke, a Tiger for the previous five seasons, and Joba Chamberlain, Detroit's setup man last year after signing a one-year deal.
Nothing has changed with the Tigers on either player, according to Dombrowski, but he also didn't rule out either player returning.
The Tigers have had no contact with Coke or his representatives, according to an industry source. Coke has been working out and throwing for teams in San Diego, including the Rangers and Blue Jays on Tuesday. He'll throw for two more teams on Thursday.
Chamberlain is believed to be seeking a Major League deal.
Video: NYY@DET: Coke ends the threat with strikeout in 9th
At this point, the Tigers are like many teams in a waiting game.
"A guy may fall through," Dombrowski said, "and [we'll say], 'Do you want to come to camp? We've got a situation that may be available. Would you be interested?'"
Other free-agent relievers include Matt Albers, Burke Badenhop, Joe Beimel, Trevor Bell, Sean Burnett, Kyle Farnsworth, Kevin Gregg, Matt Guerrier, Rich Hill, Chris Perez, Francisco Rodriguez, Ryan Rowland-Smith, Rafael Soriano, Joe Thatcher, Jose Veras and Brian Wilson.