Tigers aren't slashing payroll, GM says

Though the Tigers recently brokered a series of moves that have saved the club money, general manager Dave Dombrowski dispelled the notion that he's trying to slash his team's payroll.

"The reality is it's not true," Dombrowski told MLBTR's Steve Adams on Friday. "We have a very hefty payroll. We'll be one of the highest payrolls in Major League Baseball. We'll continue to be that, and our payroll, actually, as of this year is higher than it was last year."

The Tigers shipped slugger Price Fielder -- and the $168 million remaining on his contract -- to Texas earlier this offseason for the comparatively affordable Ian Kinsler.  Dombrowski also sent right-hander Doug Fister to the Nationals for a package of inexpensive players, and recently signed Joba Chamberlain to a $2.5-million deal after declining a $4-million option on Jose Veras.

"We like Joba. We've liked him in the past. Our scouts that haved liked him. We realized that sometimes coming off Tommy John, it takes awhile to come back. ... The ability is still there. The velocity is still there. ... We like what he brings to our bullpen, so the answer to that is yes."

The executive also intimated that no big moves are on the horizon for the Tigers.

"No, we're pretty well set at this point," Dombrowski said when asked if he'd continue shopping for more pieces. "I think this basically sets us up as we want to go forward. Now, there are a lot of players out there. Who knows what happens as the winter progresses? Who knows what the next phone call brings since we're still a couple months away from Spring Training? But as far as us being aggressive and trying to sign somebody and bring them on board, this would be the last move we're looking to make."