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The Detroit Tigers made the Joba Chamberlain signing official this morning.
OFFICIAL: #Tigers have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Joba Chamberlain.
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) December 13, 2013
Infielder Danny Worth was designated for assignment in order to make room on the 40-man roster for Chamberlain.
During the announcement teleconference, GM Dave Dombrowski addressed other matters surrounding a currently in-flux franchise.
Starting with the introduction of Chamberlain, Dombrowski hinted the Coke machine sized reliever has been on their radar for some time, and at his role in 2014.
DD: We've liked Joba for years. He's had some ups and downs the last couple of years, as far as injuries go. #Tigers
— Matthew B. Mowery (@matthewbmowery) December 13, 2013
#Tigers Dombrowski: (Chamberlain) can pitch the 7th inning and is willing to do whatever role.
— Dana Wakiji (@FSDwakiji) December 13, 2013
DD: Thinks Rondon still has the setup capability, but Joba gives depth for that role. #Tigers
— Matthew B. Mowery (@matthewbmowery) December 13, 2013
For his part, Chamberlain is saying all the right things.
Chamberlain said he's starting "a new chapter." Said he's looking forward to helping team however he can.
— George Sipple (@GeorgeSipple) December 13, 2013
Chamberlain said #Tigers are "an incredible fit."
— George Sipple (@GeorgeSipple) December 13, 2013
Joba: "I'm glad I don't have to face Miggy any more." Says everyone, always.
— Matthew B. Mowery (@matthewbmowery) December 13, 2013
And he's buddies with Phil Coke!
#Tigers Chamberlain: Phil (Coke) is a great man, he's a character. We had some good times in NY.
— Dana Wakiji (@FSDwakiji) December 13, 2013
Though he'd rather not talk about past issues which led to his departure from the Yankees.
Chamberlain sidesteps questions about his fastball velocity and walk rate, saying he's not focused on past.
— George Sipple (@GeorgeSipple) December 13, 2013
The Tigers feel they can rebuild him, they have the technology.
#Tigers Dombrowski: (Chamberlain) focused on getting back to the pitcher he was originally.
— Dana Wakiji (@FSDwakiji) December 13, 2013
In essentially replacing Jose Veras with Chamberlain, Domborwski all but confirmed the team had soured on Veras.
DD asked if likes Joba better than Veras: "Yes we do. No disrespect to Jose ... We had our choice of a lot of guys out there for 1yr deals"
— Matthew B. Mowery (@matthewbmowery) December 13, 2013
Having once again put all his balls in the Bruce Rondon bucket, Dombrowski claims all reports are positive in regard to the health the big right-hander's elbow.
#Tigers Dombrowski: We've had good reports from doctors (on Rondon). He feels good.
— Dana Wakiji (@FSDwakiji) December 13, 2013
When asked about the re-imagined roster, now missing a good deal of the offense which carried the team over the past few seasons, Dombrowski admitted the Tigers will be 'different.'
DD: We are a different-looking club at this point. ... A lot of it is based on one major move (Kinsler-for-Fielder) that we made.
— Matthew B. Mowery (@matthewbmowery) December 13, 2013
But he insists scoring runs will not be an issue.
DD: But we still have some guys that can hit the ball out of the ballpark. We think we'll still score some runs. #Tigers
— Matthew B. Mowery (@matthewbmowery) December 13, 2013
New manager Brad Ausmus added his team will be more aggressive on the base paths in the coming season.
Ausmus: "I'd prefer a mindset of being on your toes on the basepaths, looking to get to the next base." #Tigers
— Matthew B. Mowery (@matthewbmowery) December 13, 2013
Fans of playing baseball the right way (if you happen to believe small ball and manufacturing runs is the 'right way') will love what Ausmus said next.
Ausmus: "You don't have to wait for the home run to have a big inning." #Tigers
— Matthew B. Mowery (@matthewbmowery) December 13, 2013
As for the Tigers' 25-man roster? Dombrowski claims he's finished making personnel moves.
#Tigers Dombrowski (on pen): No, we're pretty well set at this point.
— Dana Wakiji (@FSDwakiji) December 13, 2013
#Tigers Dombrowski: We're pretty well set (with roster).
— Dana Wakiji (@FSDwakiji) December 13, 2013
Seriously?
DD: "We're pretty well set at this point. ... As far as us being aggressive, trying to sign somebody, this would be the last move we'd make"
— Matthew B. Mowery (@matthewbmowery) December 13, 2013
But ... there's always a 'but' with David Dombrowski.
DD did also add the large caveat: "Who knows what the next phone call brings ..." #Tigers
— Matthew B. Mowery (@matthewbmowery) December 13, 2013
So there you have it. With the signing of Chamberlain, the Tigers are done massaging their roster ... unless they aren't.