As the Detroit Tigers prepare for what could be another tough season

LAKELAND http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-david-ross-jersey , Fla. (AP) — Chris Ilitch can look back on a couple success stories from the Motor City’s recent past.“I’ve had a wonderful opportunity, having lived through building a four-time Stanley Cup champion in the Detroit Red Wings, and championship teams with the Detroit Tigers, and World Series participants,” Ilitch said. “I think as you look back on how those clubs were built, they were built in large part, exactly the way we’re building this club.”Ilitch, the CEO of both the Tigers and Red Wings, was at spring training Saturday and took some questions from reporters in the dugout. Detroit lost 98 games in each of the past two seasons and remains in a rebuilding mode, but Ilitch said he’s optimistic about the future. He also said he understands that fans want this process to pay dividends as quickly as possible.“I’m a fan, first and foremost. I want to see our team be a great team, a playoff team, and ultimately a championship team,” Ilitch said. “I think the key for all of us is to make sure that we’re very disciplined in following the right path to that success, and I think we’re doing exactly that.”The Tigers were big spenders for about a decade, winning the American League pennant in 2006 and 2012 and finishing atop the AL Central four straight seasons from 2011-14. Owner Mike Ilitch, Chris’ father, added high-priced free agents like Victor Martinez and Prince Fielder in pursuit of a World Series title http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-david-ross-jersey , but the franchise still hasn’t won one since 1984. By 2017, Detroit was stuck with an aging, expensive core — and a team that was well out of contention.Mike Ilitch died before that 2017 season, and Chris became the team’s controlling owner. After their chances dwindled in 2017, the Tigers traded J.D. Martinez, Justin Upton and Justin Verlander and began rebuilding in earnest.Ilitch was asked Saturday if the payroll might increase in the future — if the Tigers are able to build a better foundation first with young players.“It’s a very difficult question to answer. What will our payroll, what will our roster look like? So it’s next to impossible to answer that question,” Ilitch said. “The best way I can answer that question is by telling you and our fans that we’re going to do exactly what we’ve continued to do, which is, we’re going to bring the resources to our ballclub that we need to successfully compete and accomplish the goals that we set for ourselves, which is to be, not only a playoff team, but we want to build a championship club.”Ilitch expressed confidence in general manager Al Avila and manager Ron Gardenhire.“I feel we’re making great progress, and I feel like we have a great plan,” Ilitch said. “I know it’s a great plan, because we’ve lived this type of plan, and I’ve personally seen it at the professional sports level now in two different sports. So this is the right way to build a championship team. I feel we’re on the right path.”As for that other franchise Ilitch mentioned: The Red Wings are struggling too. Ilitch said he hasn’t asked permission from the Tampa Bay Lightning to talk to Steve Yzerman about a possible role with Detroit. Yzerman, a star with Detroit as a player, stepped down last year as general manager of the Lightning http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-david-ross-jersey , moving to a senior adviser role.“As you know, he’s under contract,” Ilitch said. “We generally have a rule within our organization of not talking to or about executives or others that are under contract with another organization. So there’s not a lot I can say about that, other than I know his contract is expiring this summer, and we’ll leave it at that.” SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Royals catcher Salvador Perez underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday to repair a torn ligament in his right elbow, a procedure that will sideline the six-time All-Star for the upcoming season.The surgery was performed in Los Angeles by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the Dodgers’ team physician. The recovery time is usually about a year, meaning Perez could be back for opening day next season.“We fully expect Salvy to return to our club once healthy and continue to play with the passion and enjoyment that he has played with since joining our organization,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. “His leadership and production on the field will not be easy to replicate, but as a team we will embrace this unforeseen challenge and are excited for the 2019 championship season.”Perez hurt his elbow during drills last Wednesday. He informed Royals trainer Nick Kenney about the pain the following day and underwent an MRI exam that revealed the tear. Perez then headed to Los Angeles for a second opinion Tuesday that confirmed the extent of the injury.Perez has been among the game’s most durable catchers, appearing in at least 129 games each of the past six seasons. He hit a career-low .235 last season, but he still hit 27 homers and had 80 RBIs for a club that was only beginning a massive rebuilding effort.His leadership as a former World Series MVP was expected to be crucial this season, and manager Ned Yost said Wednesday that Perez can still provide that even though he won’t be on the field.“We had people come in last night and they want to play the ‘Woe’s me.’ Yeah, we don’t like it,” Yost said, “but we don’t play the ‘Woe’s me.’ We move on. Salvy is going to be with us all year long. He is going to be there doing his rehab — the rehab is a difficult process.“If somebody were to tell me we were going to lose Salvy and we can’t see him all year long,” Yost added, “that would be a little ‘Woe’s me.’ But he’s going to be there to support his teammates.”Cam Gallagher and Meibrys Viloria are expected to replace Perez this season Anthony Rizzo Jersey , and both offer unique skillsets. Gallagher is such a highly regarded pitch-framer that other clubs inquired about trading for him this past offseason, while Viloria is raw and inexperienced but talented at the plate.The Royals are also trying first baseman Frank Schwindel behind the plate, largely because his bat has proven to be so dynamic in the minor leagues. Schwindel played catcher in college at St. John’s and early in his minor league career, but he has been stuck behind other prospects at first base.If he can settle behind the plate again, he may have found his path to the big leagues.“I mean, I’ve watched him. He’s caught before,” said Yost, a former big league catcher. “That’s why when this happened, ‘Let’s take a look at Schwindel.’ He receives the ball fine. If he didn’t have the bat, I don’t think we’d be thinking about it.”Schwindel hit .286 with 24 homers and 93 RBIs at Triple-A Omaha last season.Martin Maldonado is the only other veteran catcher that has yet to sign with a club this spring, but he may not be a substantial upgrade over what is already on the roster. He might also run counter to the youth movement that the Royals are currently experiencing.Whether the Royals inquire about other veterans, particularly as roster cuts begin to happen in big league camps, is something Yost will address down the road.“Right now I’m just going day-to-day with it,” Yost said. “Our focus is what we have in front of us until something presents itself, then we’ll evaluate it and go from there.”