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Dave Dombrowski: Tigers will not make qualifying offers to pending free agents

Neither Joaquin Benoit or Omar Infante will receive $14.1 million qualifying offers from the Tigers. Dave Dombrowski added he does not anticipate the team re-signing Jhonny Peralta.

By Al Beaton
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

After the press conference introducing Brad Ausmus as the new manager of the Detroit Tigers, GM Dave Dombrowski spoke informally with the media.

When asked about Monday's 5 PM deadline, Dombrowski confirmed the Tigers will not make qualifying offers to any of their pending free agents, including Jhonny Peralta, Joaquin Benoit and Omar Infante. Dombrowski also stated he doesn't anticipate the Tigers will pursue Peralta.

More on the qualifying offer deadline: MLB off season calendar - Qualifying offers due Monday

The Tigers would have been required to tender offers of $14.1 million for one year. The players would have the option of turning down the offer, which would have guaranteed the Tigers received compensation.  Without a qualifying offer, the Tigers will not receive a compensatory first or second round draft pick in return if they sign elsewhere.

This does not mean the team has written off the return of Benoit or Infante. An additional high draft pick is always a nice thing to have, but refusing to make a qualifying offer is a calculated risk. The Tigers just don't believe any of their free agents are worth $14.1 million in 2014.

Both the 36-year-old Benoit (career high 24 saves) and 31-year-old Infante (career high .795 OPS) are coming off solid seasons and will be looking for multi-year contracts.

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